Lake Carnier

Easy hike to Lac de Carnier.
Moderator’s note: route amended on 23/06/23 – starting point is now the Source des Treize Rais rather than the Le Val equestrian centre.

Details

10405
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.27 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 39 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 30 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 273 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 243 m
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ City: Le Val (83143)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 43.432754° / E 6.070163°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 3344OT, 3444OT
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Description of the walk

Start at the Source des Treize Rais.

(S/E) Take the path eastwards for 1.5 km.

(1) Continue straight on for 500m, until you reach a path on the right before two large rocks.

(2) Continue straight on, then a little further on, 200 m to the right, head down to the lake.

(3) Turn around, turn left and, after the two rocks, rejoin the path.

(2) Turn left and head straight down to the path. Continue to the right for 400m.

(4) Then, via the ford on the right, head back up to the track, passing under the power line to rejoin the original path.

(1) Turn left and follow the same route back to the starting point (S/E)

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 243 m - Starting point: Source des Treize Rais
  2. 1 : km 1.45 - alt. 266 m - Junction
  3. 2 : km 1.98 - alt. 266 m - Crossing before the rocks
  4. 3 : km 2.48 - alt. 253 m - Lake Carnier - Lac du Carnier
  5. 4 : km 3.56 - alt. 249 m - Fording point
  6. S/E : km 5.27 - alt. 243 m - Arrival at the Source des Treize Rais

Notes

Water point at the lake.

Worth a visit

Lake Carnier is the site of former bauxite mines. Located in the commune of Le Val, it covers an area of 3 to 4 hectares. It serves as a reservoir for the River Ribeirotte.

Fish species of fishing interest: trout.

Recommended fishing techniques: Bolognese style, casting with artificial lures.

Fishing is regulated here.
No boats permitted.
Swimming is prohibited

Reviews and comments

3.9 / 5
Based on 8 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.1 / 5
Ease of following the route
3.8 / 5
Route interest
3.9 / 5
User 28190622

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 02, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Lovely walk and the lake is very beautiful.

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jc.duvanel
jc.duvanel

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 24, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Route completed this morning.
Very brief description: Two mistakes in the first part of the route, due to the presence of paths leading in all directions.
Unable to complete the small circular on the way back because it was not possible to ford the Ribeirotte, which was very full of water. It must be said that it had rained for the previous five days! This hike is best done in summer, especially as it is very shady.
It was very pleasant to discover this lake in the middle of nature.
The path is pleasant as it is not very stony, but it can be a little monotonous.
Finally, the presence of hunters (not signposted) and the accompanying gunshots were a little stressful at the lake.

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Valentin B33
Valentin B33

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 12, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

I did the hike by actually walking all the way round the lake. It’s dangerous but well worth it: I took a selfie on the bank on the other side; you feel proud to have made it across and completed the circuit.
But I wouldn’t recommend it for families with children, and you need to carry as little as possible as you have to perform quite a bit of acrobatics to get to the other side.
For intrepid hikers, you can therefore walk all the way round the lake, which for me is the highlight of the walk; but watch out for rockfalls and the plants that tear your clothes!

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henriboyer2
henriboyer2

Overall rating : 2.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 15, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

I was very disappointed by the description: "carry on and turn right before the two rocks"? You should have mentioned that you can’t swim in the lake, so we wouldn’t have been caught out when we got there

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saint victor
saint victor

Overall rating : 1.5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 27, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Route interest : Not used / Not applicable
Very busy route : No

The directions given lead to the stud farm, which is private property. It’s not possible to follow this route. What a shame.

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223190GUY
223190GUY

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 19, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

The route is very interesting and very pleasant.
The only downside at the start of the route is that the path is blocked.
To reach the tarmac path, you have to take a detour to the left.
Fortunately, with the Visorando GPS, we were able to sort this out.

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herveb
herveb

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 03, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Highlight of the walk: the lake and the walk around it.

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herveb
herveb

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 04, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

An easy walk offering the chance to discover a lovely, peaceful lake

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