Lac Miroir via the Cascade de la Pisse

This is a challenging hike at the start, which continues along the Cascade de la Pisse waterfall.
Lac Miroir, nestled in a pretty valley, reflects the snow-capped peaks all around. The Cascade de la Pisse waterfall, seen from below, is accessible directly from the car park (2 minutes' walk), and the hike follows the tumultuous torrent.

Details

3410800
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.31 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 25 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 553 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 555 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,230 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,682 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the car park near the Mélezet ski lift.

(S/E) From the start, you can access the Pisse waterfall directly from below by crossing the small wooden bridge and walking up the stream until you see it on your right. This is a huge waterfall that starts very high up and, depending on the season, "pisses" very hard!
Retrace your steps to begin the climb starting at the sign for "Lac Miroir - 1h55".

(1) Be careful on this narrow passage with gravel in the middle of a steep trench.

(2) Take the wooden bridge, which offers a magnificent, vertiginous view, and continue until you come to a small stream with a large rock.

(3) You have two options: follow the path that turns sharply to the right (slightly longer but less steep) or cross the stream and follow the other path (shorter but steeper). We decided to cross the stream on the way there and take the other path on the way back. You will reach the junction where the two routes meet.

(4) Continue straight ahead until you reach the stream that feeds the Pisse waterfall.

(5) Follow the stream until you reach the wooden bridge that crosses it.

(6) Keep climbing to reach Lac Miroir.

(7) Retrace your steps to the fork at the northern end of the lake and turn left. Do not continue along the shore, but turn right away from it and follow a path that joins the uphill path further on. Continue left to the wooden bridge and rejoin the fork you passed on the way up.

(4) Turn right to follow the alternative route.

(3) Continue straight ahead and follow the same route as on the way there to return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,684 m - Car park
  2. 1 : km 0.61 - alt. 1,828 m - Dangerous passage
  3. 2 : km 0.82 - alt. 1,881 m - Wooden bridge
  4. 3 : km 0.97 - alt. 1,932 m - Fork in the two trails
  5. 4 : km 1.44 - alt. 2,056 m - Junction of the two alternative routes
  6. 5 : km 1.58 - alt. 2,072 m - Torrent de la Pisse
  7. 6 : km 2.09 - alt. 2,161 m - Wooden bridge crossing the river
  8. 7 : km 2.82 - alt. 2,217 m - Lac Miroir
  9. S/E : km 6.31 - alt. 1,683 m - Car park

Notes

(7) Continuing south-east, Lac Saint-Anne is accessible further on for the more adventurous.

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 24 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
Jean grimpette
Jean grimpette

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

A very beautiful hike, starting with the Pisse waterfall, a fairly challenging climb but well shaded, and the superb mirror lake. We set off early so we could make it to Lake Sainte Anne, and we weren't disappointed. This lake is magnificent, quite busy but well worth the effort. We then descended via the opposite trail.
Not too difficult but with a significant elevation gain that requires a reasonable level of fitness. It's a good climb and the 200 metres between the two lakes are very pleasant.

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Cedced36
Cedced36

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 31, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Magnificent hike. The views are extraordinary. It's true that the climb is a bit demanding.

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Another Day In The Nature
Another Day In The Nature

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 15, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A magnificent hike that will fill your eyes and your legs!
We do it at least once a year, and it's a great opportunity to take some beautiful pictures, like the ones below taken in winter
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmaaAp1p...

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Randosso
Randosso

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 14, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful outing with a magnificent view of the lake at the end. The climb is steep but made more enjoyable by the waterfall, which you follow throughout the ascent. At this time of year, there is plenty of water and it is a spectacular sight. Definitely worth doing. However, you do need to be in good physical shape.

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Louis REVENU
Louis REVENU

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 24, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Very beautiful waterfall and mirror effect on the lake, the only downside is that the climb is quite steep with some rocky sections. Not suitable for very young children or people with bad knees. Best visited in good weather to enjoy the mirror effect

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lilietchris
lilietchris

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 12, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

the start of the hike is very poorly signposted. I had to search for the start of the climb and, once at the lake, I couldn't return via the indicated route due to a "temporary" barrier for animals.

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PATRICE31800
PATRICE31800

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

Hello, everyone.
we went hiking in beautiful weather. To sum up, there was a magnificent waterfall at the start, followed by a steep climb. The dangerous section marked as grade 1 was very passable; you just need to be careful. Then there was a good path lined with lots of flowers, each one as beautiful as the next. When we arrived at the lake, the view of all the surrounding peaks was splendid. There was still a lot of snow, so we couldn't climb up to Lac des Rouites because the trail was impassable. A very beautiful hike!

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Zou48
Zou48

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 22, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Route taken on Wednesday, 14 June 2023, not a gloomy day, with a little drizzle.
The climb is a bit steep, but it gets easier once you cross the bridge. Lac Miroir is worth the trip.
To descend, we took a path on the left (after the lake) that runs alongside the Girardin chairlift and takes you back to the starting point.
The Pisse waterfall is impressive.

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Clapassou
Clapassou

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 13, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely walk along the main path. We didn't find any alternative routes.
On arrival, part of the mountains were reflected in the water. On the way back, a light breeze prevented us from seeing the mountains reflected.
It's on the way back that you really realise how steep the path is, especially if you continue towards Lake St Anne. Be careful not to slip on the very stony section.

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papinou38
papinou38

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 08, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Last hike of the trip, done in the morning to enjoy the cool air, even though the route is covered by forest. Very good trail, but be careful: there is a very steep section after the footbridge, where the trail climbs sharply up a series of switchbacks, then levels out towards the stream until you reach the lake.

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agen131
agen131

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 04, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A superb walk, partly along a pretty stream. Beautiful lake and lovely views as you climb the hills around the lake.

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Choup74
Choup74

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 10, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Another beautiful hike in Queyras.
This route is very popular in August, but it's ideal during hot weather as it's mostly shaded.
The climb at the beginning is quite steep, but the view at the top is magnificent.

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clausjm
clausjm

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 01, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

on 1 June, there weren't many people yet, but the circuit is great, with beautiful views, no technical difficulties, and the mirror is right there at the finish line: superb.

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GD69690
GD69690

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 30, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Interesting hike, simple route and well marked.

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Jonat
Jonat

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 20, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

a beautiful climb for a beautiful view.

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