Mont Pelat and Lac d'Allos

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It is renowned as the easiest 3,000-metre peak in the Southern Alps. To the north, it overlooks the glacial site of Lac d'Allos, the largest high-altitude lake in Europe at 2,227 metres: Mont Pelat, in the Mercantour National Park, is the highest point in the Haut Verdon.

Details

n°38223261
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 14.10 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 6h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 969 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 976 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 3,039 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 2,105 m
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Photos

Lac du Trou de l'Aigle
Arrival at the summit
The summit of Mont Pelat in sight
Allos 47

Description of the walk

From Allos, head towards Villard-Bas/Lac d'Allos and continue along the road to the Laus car park, the last car park on the road, which is subject to a charge depending on the time of year.

(S/E) With your back to the access road, head towards the back of the car park and take the path next to the large information board. There are various information boards along the way. Join the path coming from the forest house on your left and continue.

(1) Look for the path climbing up the embankment on the left and take it. Walk through the undergrowth and then cross a meadow to the next crossroads. Be careful, as marmots are often seen in this meadow.

(2) At the crossroads, turn left. Then cross the footbridge over the Méouille torrent and continue the ascent. At the intersection with a path climbing to the right (Col de la Petite Cayolle path), continue straight ahead. The path winds upwards at times and becomes very stony as you climb. "Be careful in the scree slopes where chamois may gather." Follow the main path to a sharp bend heading west.

(3) The path on the right leads to Lac du Trou de l'Aigle, but it is easier to spot on the way down.
Continue the ascent on the left into the Combe du Pelat via very long switchbacks. Continue in this manner to the summit of Mont Pelat, where you may need to use your hands for the last few metres.

(4) From the summit, enjoy the panoramic view of the Alps and, in good weather, Corsica. Descend via the same route to the fork towards Lac du Trou de l'Aigle.

(3) In this direction, the round-trip trail to this beautiful enclosed lake is more visible. Follow it (without markings) straight ahead to the lake.

(5) Turn around to find the main trail.

(3) Descend to the left until you reach the intersection just after the Méouille torrent.

(2) Turn left towards Lac d'Allos and reach it at the Notre-Dame des Monts chapel.

(6) Turn right between the chapel and the refuge, then right again a few hundred metres further on to reach the intersection at the start of the route.

(1) Descend on the left to return to the Laus car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 2,112 m - Laus car park
  2. 1 : km 0.85 - alt. 2,167 m - Path climbing up the embankment on your left
  3. 2 : km 1.8 - alt. 2,262 m - Laus car park / Lac d'Allos junction - Ravin de Méouille
  4. 3 : km 4.2 - alt. 2,650 m - Lac du Trou de l'Aigle fork
  5. 4 : km 5.97 - alt. 3,034 m - Mont Pelat
  6. 5 : km 8.14 - alt. 2,675 m - Lac du Trou de l'Aigle
  7. 6 : km 12.26 - alt. 2,250 m - Lac d'Allos
  8. S/E : km 14.1 - alt. 2,105 m - Laus car park

Notes

A good pair of walking shoes and a warm jacket for the summit.

Bivouacking is permitted from 7 p.m. until 9 a.m. the following morning.

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

Reviews and comments

4.9 / 5
Based on 7 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.9 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.9 / 5
Route interest
4.9 / 5
eric83
eric83

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

Hike completed on 24/06/2025
Very beautiful route; no more snow on the ridge or at the summit
Good elevation gain but no technical difficulty
Magnificent view from the summit, especially of Lake Allos
Descent via the lake with a stop at the very pleasant refuge
Note: The car park at the start was free but will become pay-and-display on 01/07.

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Les chéris d'amour
Les chéris d'amour

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 19, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A superb and challenging hike with the ascent of Mont Pelat, offering breathtaking scenery!

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pepinet
pepinet

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 15, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A superb hike with no major difficulties except for the final stretch, which requires a little more attention, but is nevertheless reserved for experienced walkers. Beautiful sunshine, ideal walking temperatures, and we were accompanied by marmots and chamois. The spectacular 360-degree views were sublime.

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TRIADOUdaniel
TRIADOUdaniel

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 02, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Please note that to park in the official car park, you must book at least the day before, and there is a charge. However, you can arrive before 7:00 a.m. to park. A very beautiful but rather difficult hike, but fairly shaded up to 2,500 metres. Lots of animals that are fairly easy to see in the morning. PLEASE NOTE: the last 50 metres of the climb are very steep, and there is a significant risk of falling. If you would like to have lunch at the restaurant at Lake Allos, you must book the day before or in the morning from 6.30 a.m. Breathtaking view of the lake.

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randoviolette
randoviolette

Randoviolette has already provided information about the hike. Yours in sport.

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ROLLETB
ROLLETB
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 19, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A 3,000-metre peak with impressive wildlife. Remember to book the Laus car park (€10) in July and August to avoid an uninteresting 1½-hour hike from the Cluite car park (free). You can also visit Lac du Trou by adding a 15-minute hike. During our hike, the weather was gloomy, so there were few people, but when the weather is nice, access to the last few metres must be complicated because there is little space at the top, which is vertiginous. Herds of chamois and marmots, beautiful views of Lac d'Allos. Option for a circular route via the Col de la Petite Cayolle.

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JF
JF

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 06, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike starting from the Laus car park to the summit. The last part is the most difficult, over rocky terrain; you need to be extra careful on the descent, follow the trail closely and don't hesitate to use your hands for support. Magnificent panoramic views and a superb view of Lake Allos. The description of the hike is accurate.

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randoviolette
randoviolette
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 30, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Nothing to report; the Visorando guidebook is clear enough to make the hike easy.
You need to set off fairly early to climb Mont Pelat and then make the detour to Lake Alios, because if you start from the village of Allos, it's quite a long drive to the car park. It's worth noting that the car park charges a fee for part of the year, so check before you go.

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Eric04290
Eric04290

Hello,
When is this hike available?
Thank you for your reply and your involvement in this application.
Kind regards,
Eric

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