Lac Long de la Gordolasque

de fr

The destination of a hike starting from Pont du Countet, the traditional entry point to the Vallée des Merveilles, Lac Long is relatively uncrowded and exudes an atmosphere of serenity in its rocky setting dominated by the elegant Cime de la Malédie.
Reaching this lake allows you to enter a wild and mineral valley located near the very popular Refuge de Nice. Ibex and chamois will probably be your only companions.

Details

n°2258865
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.79 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 902 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 894 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,578 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,684 m
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lac Long
lac Long
Lac Long
Lac de la Fous and Gordolasque valley

Description of the walk

Park in the Pont du Countet car park, at the end of the road that climbs up the Gordolasque valley from Belvédère.

(S/E) Head towards the Refuge de Nice, indicated by marker 411. Follow the yellow markings.

(1) At marker 413, continue towards Refuge de Nice. From this point, the climb becomes steeper but offers beautiful views of the Cascade de l'Estrech waterfall on your left.
You will soon reach marker 414, where the trail splits in two. Continue towards the Refuge de Nice. Reach marker 416, where the trail joins theGR® 52, which descends from the Pas du Mont Colomb.

(2) Continue towards the Refuge de Nice. You will soon reach the Lac de la Fous dam.

(3) Shortly after the dam, take a path that climbs steeply to the left, marked by a red and white cross on a rock. From here, the climb becomes more challenging, following a steep and sometimes poorly marked path across scree slopes. Follow the numerous cairns to finally reach Lac Long, whose waters change colour depending on the sunlight.

(4) Descend via the same route to the first crossroads at marker 413.

(1) Take the old road on the left bank of the Gordolasque to easily find the Pont du Countet car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,685 m - Car park at - Pont du Countet
  2. 1 : km 1.3 - alt. 1,786 m - Marker 413 - Gordolasque
  3. 2 : km 3.43 - alt. 2,156 m - Marker 416
  4. 3 : km 3.83 - alt. 2,205 m - Barrage du &gt - Lac de la Fous
  5. 4 : km 5.24 - alt. 2,572 m - Lac Long (Mercantour)
  6. S/E : km 10.79 - alt. 1,684 m - Pont du Countet car park

Notes

After visiting Lac Long, you could easily make a detour to the Refuge de Nice to enjoy a slice of blueberry tart overlooking Lac de la Fous.

The hike is not particularly difficult but still requires sure footing as the last section of the climb from the Barrage de la Fous can be quite technical in places.

This route passes through a protected area, which may be subject to special regulations:

Worth a visit

Lac Long is the obligatory crossing point on the normal route to Cime de la Malédie, which is probably the most difficult of the Mercantour's 3,000-metre peaks to access, but also probably one of the most elegant with its knife-edge structure.

Once you reach Lac Long, you can walk out onto a small rocky outcrop offering a beautiful view of Lac de la Fous, the Gordolasque valley and the Cime du Diable/Mont Capelet Supérieur duo.

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 15 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.9 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.9 / 5
larroque nadine
larroque nadine

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 24, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Superb hike well known for its wildlife

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User 23745335

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 29, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent hike that is well worth the effort.
It's quite a climb, but the scenery is so beautiful, surrounded by chamois

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Espedaillac
Espedaillac

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 04, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

This route is not very busy beyond Lac de la Foux, but this is not the case before that, with large crowds at the start from the Countet car park. The hike to Lac Long is difficult, so caution is advised in bad weather

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Olivier06
Olivier06
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 31, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hello Viso,

Up to stage 3, the hike is quite busy. After that, it's normal because the area is really nice.

Once you start the climb in stage 3, you don't see many people, and the traffic is reasonable.
You sometimes have to anticipate the cairns in the distance so as not to lose the trail, but don't worry, it's straight ahead all the way to the top. It's quite steep for the last two-thirds, but the lake is well worth the effort

On the way back, stop off at the refuge to enjoy a blueberry tart.

Definitely worth doing.
Enjoy your hike.

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RANDISA
RANDISA

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

The trail was very busy up to Lac de la Fous, then deserted until Lac Long.
I finished the hike with a night at the Nice refuge so that I could walk the Tour de la Tête du Lac Autier route in the opposite direction the next day. (No. 129028).
Ascent and descent between 3 and 4: difficult

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domiAlpes
domiAlpes

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 20, 2024
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, with still quite a bit of snow above the Italian wall on 19 May. The lake is still completely covered.
Lots of ibex below and plenty of chamois during the climb. The marmots are starting to come out!

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Jeremie0611
Jeremie0611

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 05, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very good hike, last climb between Lac de la Fous and Long difficult.
I highly recommend it

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jl1309m
jl1309m

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 20, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very steep and rocky climb. The lake is truly beautiful in a high mountain setting.
There are a few cairns on the left where you can stop for a picnic by the lake.

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jl1309m
jl1309m

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 20, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

When you arrive at the lake, you can turn left to reach the shore
Nice spot for a picnic.
The climb from the GR to the lake is steep but well marked.

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Vigi
Vigi

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 24, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Beautiful hike, not very busy.
Lots of wildlife.

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pastorelli
pastorelli

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 09, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

This lake is truly magnificent, nestled in its rocky setting! But you have to work for it, as there is a steep climb from the La Foux dam... The route is easy to follow thanks to the path and cairns. Along the way, you can enjoy unparalleled, unique views of Lake Niré and the surrounding peaks.

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Justine.trt
Justine.trt

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 19, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We did it when there was snow, and it's best to be well equipped (snowshoes, poles, etc.).
The landscape of snow, mountains, waterfalls and lakes was simply magnificent. The climb to Lac de la Fou was really difficult because there was a lot of snow and the rocks were icy.
The trail was quite busy for a Saturday.

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jacquot 06
jacquot 06

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 05, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

one of the great lakes of Mercantour at the foot of the Balcons du Gélas

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jacquot 06
jacquot 06

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 10, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

very beautiful lake at the foot of the Balcon du Gélas

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Boonettedu06
Boonettedu06

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 22, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A magnificent, wild lake, far from the crowds of other hikers, but the climb from Lake Foux is really very steep!

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