The Lac de l'Oule circuit

de fr

A family hike starting from the Col du Granon, which allows you to discover a beautiful lake and, on the way back, magnificent views of the Ecrins.

Details

n°77037
Creation:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.47 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 284 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 280 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,557 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 2,387 m
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Photos

Lac de l'Oule
Swimming at Lac de l'Oule
Lac de l'Oule
on the way

Description of the walk

At Saint Chaffrey, take the road to the Col du Granon and park in the large car park at the top of the pass.

(S/E) Take the military road (unpaved track) at the exit of the car park. Join the Cibières torrent where a path starts on the left.

(1). Take this path, which quickly disappears, but just keep climbing until you reach theGR®57. Continue left on theGR® (red and white sign and markings). You will quickly reach the Col de l'Oule

(2) Begin the descent to quickly reach Lac de l'Oule, still on theGR®57.

(3) Return to the Col de l'Oule.

(2) Turn right onto the Col des Cibières trail (sign) and follow it.

(4) Continue left on the correct path marked in yellow. Leave the Porte de Cristol and Bergerie paths on your right and take the path on the left, which will take you almost to the hillside at the Col du Granon car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 2,403 m - Parking - Col de Granon
  2. 1 : km 0.91 - alt. 2,390 m - Military road junction
  3. 2 : km 2.17 - alt. 2,545 m - Col de l'Oule
  4. 3 : km 2.9 - alt. 2,425 m - Lac de l'Oule
  5. 4 : km 4.7 - alt. 2,524 m - Col des Cibières
  6. S/E : km 6.47 - alt. 2,404 m - Parking - Col de Granon

Notes

There is no water on this route, except for a few springs emerging from the ground.
There is a small shelter before the lake.
Stay for a few moments at the Col de Cibières, a large clearing, to admire the east face of the Écrins opposite, with Pic Gaspard and the whole of the Meije on the right.

Worth a visit

There are numerous fortifications here.
The stone walls on the ridges were built by Marshal Séré de Rivières, who sought to protect the Briançon valleys and, at the same time, the town of Briançon.

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

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Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 58 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
pkur
pkur

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 07, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A pleasant, family-friendly hike, a little chilly on the way up when facing the wind, but a lovely surprise at the lakes at the summit.
A few trout fishermen on the main lake and, surprisingly, a grey heron! Incredible for this altitude of over 2,000 metres.

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User 27282365

Yes, that's right, it's 2,404 metres, my mistake!😉Thank you very much.

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bernardino
bernardino ★

Hello and thank you for your comment:
You could perhaps specify that the route includes an initial climb from 2004 to 2540m
. Looking at the map again, I see that the starting point at the Col du Granon is at 2,404 metres.

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User 27282365

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 25, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

You could perhaps specify that the route includes an initial climb from 2,004 to 2,540 metres
which takes about an hour or an hour and a half for families.
Then there is a descent to the lake of about 80 metres, which must be climbed back up on the return journey.
Thank you

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User 26793506

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 30, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

You can hike in both directions. We started on the military road (which is marked as off-limits!!!). You can start the walk behind the refreshment stand; there are signs (it's easier with children).
On the way back, we came across lots of people starting the walk. We left when everyone else was arriving. If you want some peace and quiet, don't set off too late (around 8.30/9 a.m.).
A nice walk, not too long.

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md.lefevre@orange.fr
md.lefevre@orange.fr

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 22, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

We left early in the morning (7:30) to do this hike, and we were glad we did because we came back down around 11:00 and the car park at the Col du Granon was full...
We encountered many people on the way back, which detracted somewhat from the enjoyment.
Note that there is a rather dizzying section on the way back that may frighten those prone to vertigo.
The view of the lake is superb, especially when there's no one else around, which was the case for us.
A word of advice: arrive early!
A very beautiful hike.

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pinrouge
pinrouge

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 14, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Interesting route. The arrival at the lake is spectacular.

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MICHELFIL
MICHELFIL

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 26, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

magnificent landscapes, very nice walk

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tom1
tom1

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 06, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very pleasant little hike in the hills, with the lake in the middle of the route to take a break.
Very busy route.

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Maxou_serreche
Maxou_serreche

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 30, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Pleasant and family-friendly, this is the ideal tour for the whole family, with a beautiful lake at the finish.

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Jpz07
Jpz07

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 06, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Family tour, but plan on 2x2 hours with children

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xavlec
xavlec
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 23, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A superb lake, despite the grey weather on the day of the walk.

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demol
demol

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 15, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Easy route. Suitable for children. Beautiful views from the Col de Cibières.

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FORMET
FORMET

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 21, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Beautiful views of the surrounding mountains.

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VirginieL
VirginieL

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 18, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Apart from the finish at the Lac de l'Oule, this route is of no particular interest other than as a refresher.

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