Lac du Lauzon and Col de Charnier

Date of your route : May 05, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

I led this hike on 2 May 2025.
The route from car park 1228 m to the Fleyrard hut is fine.
However, the trail from the Fleyrard hut to Lake Lauzon is unclear and poorly marked; cairns would be welcome to guide us through this steep rocky slope.
The trail between Lac du Lauzon and the Col du Charnier is still covered with snow, and the last part is quite technical and tricky because the snow covers the entire width of the gully.

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Date of your route : Jul 04, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Route followed today in the direction indicated. Beautiful weather = magnificent hike.
The climb after the shepherd's hut at Fleyrard is steep, and it is more difficult to spot the trail in the upper section, which is directly on the rock (generally, it is better to start on the right).
After the lake, access to the pass is easier than it looks from a distance.
Small problem of the day: after point 2016 on the IGN map, when you start the descent, there are sheep next to the spring, and the Patou blocks your way, barking and then lying down behind the electric fence. No shepherd in sight, so we turn back towards the lake, descend steeply to the Fleyrard hut and take the horizontal path, which leads back to the Col de la Croix: beautiful view of the Jarjatte valley.
two marmots, one eagle, three vultures, and a few chamois that you have to look hard to see above the lake to the right of the pass, and one below the Lauson peak.

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Date of your route : Jun 16, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent hike, which I wouldn't describe as difficult.
The climb is steep but not particularly difficult, and the descent is pleasant in the direction indicated (which I highly recommend following).
The detour via the Col de Charnier is well worth it in good weather.
There are beautiful views throughout the route.
We spotted a few vultures and heard a marmot, but didn't see any chamois.

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Date of your route : May 25, 2024
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The lake was full, there were newts, and it was a magnificent hike. The climb to get up there is quite steep but enjoyable.

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Date of your route : Jul 21, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Nice hike, shame that the lake is becoming eutrophic. Not possible to swim.

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Date of your route : Jul 21, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike that took six hours including all breaks (and meals). The climb between points 2 and 3 was quite strenuous, with a few somewhat "scattered" sections. We were a little disappointed by the lake, which was reduced to a mere trickle, although this was mentioned in the comments. The view from the pass is magnificent, as is the view along the descent.
However, the climb to the pass is not difficult, whereas without the Col du Charnier, the hike is classified as "moderate" on the website (no. 26734). Thank you for the route.

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Date of your route : Jul 16, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike, which we did in the direction indicated, even though other groups were coming in the opposite direction. The climb is quite challenging (we are good walkers with children aged 6 to 14) until you reach the lake, then towards the Col de Charnier, but it is very well signposted all the way to the top. The view and the flora are magnificent!
The return trip is pleasant, with a fairly steady slope, apart from a few slightly steeper sections.
One of the most beautiful hikes in the area, not to be missed!

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Date of your route : Jun 14, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Stormy weather, so no one around!
Follow the directions given: the climb up to the lake is very steep, so the descent would be tricky!

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Date of your route : Jul 12, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful hike with stunning scenery
The climb is quite steep overall, but the view from the pass is well worth the effort

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Date of your route : Jun 13, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We had a wonderful walk yesterday. The distance between the Col des Aurias and the Col de la Croix is quite long. Otherwise, it was very easy to follow the GR trail the whole way. Except perhaps for the climb to Lake Lozon, which is not very obvious and a little exposed for those who are prone to vertigo. Otherwise, the hike is really worth it for the scenery, the flowers and the tranquillity. There were very few people on Sunday 13 June, even though the weather was magnificent

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Date of your route : Sep 12, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very nice hike

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Date of your route : Aug 14, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

This hike is truly superb. The lake isn't anything special (especially in summer when it's reduced by two-thirds), but it's set in breathtaking surroundings. The section between points 2 and 3 is really steep, and when we did it, there had been a storm the night before, which meant that in some places there were hardly any rocks to grip onto and the ground was a bit slippery (you have to take your time).
The descent is very long but not difficult.
The pasture by the lake is perfect for a picnic.
We are good walkers and did it in 5 hours with a lunch break.
There is a shorter version (ref. 26734) without the Col du Charnier, which is classified as "moderate", although it is really the climb to the lake that is difficult. The description is also much more detailed.
Thank you for suggesting this fantastic walk.

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Information about dogs has been added

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Dogs are not allowed from 15 June to 15 October. I had the same surprise when I did it at the end of June, with a sign only on the descent to Pointe Feuillette... I had actually included this information in my post-hike comment.
It would be useful if the information sheet could be amended to include this detail in the practical information.

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Date of your route : Jun 27, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

at the entrance to the mountain pastures, there is a sign written by the shepherds prohibiting dogs, so turn back!

So no dogs allowed

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