The summit of Côte Belle Ouest

If you want to overlook the famous Casse Déserte, known to all cycling enthusiasts and especially fans of the Tour de France, this is the place to go.

Details

n°85549

Creation:
25 Oct 2014

Last update:
04 Sep 2021

Last review:
08 Jul 2024

Activity: Walking
Distance: 10.27 km
Average duration: 5h 35
Difficulty: Difficult
Back to start: Yes
Ascent: + 939 m
Descent: - 939 m
Highest point: 2,839 m
Lowest point: 2,062 m

Country: France
Areas: Alps, Queyras, Dauphiné
District: Arvieux (05350)
Start/End: N 44.807511° / E 6.736258°
IGN map(s): Ref. 3536OT, 3536OTR, 3537ET, 3537ETR
Hour-by-hour weather

Avalanche risk assessment bulletin

Discover Visorando Premium

Downloads

Open in the mobile app

Download GPX GPX

Download PDF PDF

Photos

Description of the walk

Park at the Casse Déserte car park.

(S/E) Take the path opposite that heads south-east: this is^theold^GR®58F, one of the variants of the Tour du Queyras. Follow this wide path to reach the crossroads of the paths leading to the Col du Tronchet (on the right) and Lac de Souliers (on the left).

(1) Turn left and follow the gentle slope to reach Lac des Souliers.

(2) Go around the lake and head north-west on the good path that winds through the scree.
Reach the Côte Belle ridge. Continue along the path on the left to easily reach the western summit.

(3) Return to Lac des Souliers via the same route.

(2) Here you have two options:
- the first is to retrace your steps;
- the second, which is marked on the map, is to take the path on the left leading to the Torrent du Lac la Bergerie des Souliers. Return to the junction with the^GRP® de la Dent de Ratier. shared with the^GR®58.

(4) Take it to the right and climb steeply to reach the Col du Tronchet.

(5) Continue along the path opposite, leaving the^GR®58trail on your left. Follow an almost horizontal path to reach the initial crossroads.

(1) Continue straight ahead on the outward route to return gently to the Casse Déserte car park (S/E).

Waypoints

S/E : km 0 - alt. 2,206 m - Casse Déserte car park
1 : km 1.41 - alt. 2,332 m - Col Trochet crossroads - Lac des Souliers
2 : km 2.46 - alt. 2,489 m
3 : km 3.62 - alt. 2,839 m - Côte Belle Ouest
4 : km 6.75 - alt. 2,062 m - Bergerie des Souliers
5 : km 7.98 - alt. 2,342 m - Col du Tronchet
S/E : km 10.27 - alt. 2,206 m - Casse Déserte car park

Notes

Water is available in the various streams that flow down from Côte Belle.
There is no shelter as such, but the banks of Lac de Souliers welcome tourists. In the height of summer, places by the lake are very expensive.

Worth a visit

The splendid view over the whole of Casse Déserte, a landscape of scree and monoliths, is truly surprising.
The nearby Queyras and its typical villages.
The Col d'Izoard.
The memorial to cycling champions Fausto of Italy and Louison of France is located about 1 km from the Casse Déserte car park in the direction of Briançon.

Reviews and comments

4.9 / 5

Based on 11 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5

Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5

Route interest
5 / 5

abeauville

08 Jul 2024 at 17:51 7200 • Edited: 08 Jul 2024 at 17:59 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

A beautiful hike. The climb to Pic de Côte Belle is challenging, but rewarded by the panoramic view from the summit: Oisans, Viso, Font Sancte... Of course, there are quite a few people at Lac de Souliers, but hardly anyone else anywhere else.

Machine-translated

Paderic

04 Sep 2021 at 19:22 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 06, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

The hike begins and ends in pleasant woodland.
There are, of course, a few people around Lake Souliers, which offers families easy access and the opportunity to enjoy the mountains and their beauty.
There are slightly fewer people climbing to the summit of Côte Belle, where the view opens up to a magnificent 360° panorama.

Machine-translated

daubram05

28 Jul 2018 at 19:06 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 28, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Focusing on the beauty of the sites: that was the idea of the day! And we weren't disappointed!
Lake Souliers, although a little too crowded at the moment, is a real gem in a green setting, and for an additional 360 metres of elevation gain, the climb up the Costebelle ridge and the western peak of Côte Belle, more secluded at 2,854 metres, is worth the detour for the breathtaking views of Queyras, Mont Viso, Les Ecrins and the Alps, under the overwhelming dominance of the Pic de Rochebrune.
See the pictures here
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aH1gfu6b...

Machine-translated

kikiv07

18 Sep 2017 at 11:30 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 29, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

a beautiful hike with magnificent views of the deserted Casse at the Pic de Côte Belle Ouest!
there were indeed a lot of people at the lake, even at the end of August (it was very hot that day), but very few brave souls attempted the climb to the peak!

Machine-translated

bernardino

04 Aug 2017 at 17:00 7200

Hello and thank you for your comment. Indeed, between 14 July and 15 August, Lac des Souliers is very much Palavas. This is the price of success, and it is even more evident this year with the publicity surrounding the Tour de France and the Casse Déserte. However, at the top of Côte Belle, you had more peace and quiet.
A note about the Crête du Tronchet: I did write this: take the Crête du Tronchet due south, and the route on the map also specifies this. But I also recognise that some people may have some apprehension about staying on the ridge.
Have a good day and enjoy your walks in the beautiful Queyras region.

Machine-translated

jL3412

04 Aug 2017 at 16:02 7200

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 02, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Hello, everyone.
An interesting hike offering beautiful views, especially at the western peak of Côte Belle, where the 360° view is memorable with a southerly wind of 80 km/h. The terrain is varied, which is nice, as there are a few good climbs.
I opted for the full route, in the direction of Departure - Col du Tronchet - Lac de Souliers - Pic Ouest de Côte Belle - Lac - direct return to the car park.

One regret: it is not very clearly (firmly) stated that you must stay on the ridge between the Col de Tronchet and Lac de Souliers. There are several poorly marked paths in the area, and I got lost and found myself on the eastern slope, in a very steep scree area, with someone who was not at all comfortable with this and was losing their confidence. After an hour of digging steps (like in snowfields), we found the wide path leading from the lake to the last non-rocky curve of the ridge.
This was interesting for me because I revisited several of the principles of moving in difficult terrain. But not at all for the person accompanying me.
A word of warning for hikers who love the mountains for their peace and quiet and lack of crowds: do not take this route after 8 a.m. from mid-July to mid-August (whichever option you choose)!!! From 11:30 a.m. onwards, Souliers Lake resembles Palavas-les-Flots (including the behaviour, shouting, banana skins, apple cores and pieces of plastic).
jL 3412

Machine-translated

peter52

11 Jul 2017 at 08:20 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 01, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Superb hike, the view from the summit is a real treat, a must-see. Look among the rocks at the summit, remove a few and you will find a jar with a logbook to sign your visit. Walking sticks are useful for both the ascent and descent. Thank you for mapping out this hike.

Machine-translated

Geono60

28 Aug 2016 at 11:54 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 18, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

The only criticism that can be made is the introductory text for this magnificent hike, which does not do justice to the beauty and spectacular views at the end. Otherwise, it is a real pleasure.
Up to the lake, it's a family outing where you'll encounter everyone from grandparents to babies, which means the trail can get quite crowded. After the lake, the slope leading up to the pass is impressive and may discourage some. However, it's not that difficult to climb, and it's so beautiful up there!
The descent is a little trickier because, facing the slope, some sections seem a little vertical. But it's all very doable, even for someone who is afraid of heights, which is the case for my wife.

Machine-translated

michel.m

11 Aug 2016 at 15:22 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 06, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Beautiful views from the summit
don't forget your walking sticks for the ascent and descent; they are very helpful, especially for keeping your balance in gusty winds when you reach the summit
a small sheltered spot for a snack a few metres from the summit, which is very welcome
Michel.m

Machine-translated

Britanicus100

19 May 2016 at 21:27 7200 • Edited: 17 Jan 2022 at 15:46 3600

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 23, 2014
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A lovely hike. An attractive, easily accessible summit with guaranteed 360° panoramic views and a magnificent lake.
The route is enhanced by a few patches of residual snow.
I made a video with panoramic views and names of the peaks, which gives a good impression of the atmosphere on this beautiful route.

Machine-translated

Pierre Marie

08 Sep 2015 at 15:45 7200

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 18, 2015
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very beautiful hike; starting from the deserted car park is a good idea.
Highly recommended
Pierre Marie

Machine-translated

deliege

20 Aug 2015 at 09:10 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 11, 2015
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Enjoy your hike!
if you set off early, you can enjoy Lake Souliers in peace and quiet before the families arrive.
The climb to the summit is tough, really tough. Fortunately, the sun was behind the clouds.
Beautiful 360° view at the summit.
You don't meet many people at the summit, but after the tough climb, it's nice to chat with others.

Machine-translated

bibi

14 Nov 2014 at 12:16 3600

Hello, it is indicated in the description:
" - the second is the one on the route: take the Crête du Tronchet heading south to reach the Col du Tronchet (4), then turn right to return to the crossroads (1) and then to the car park via the same route you took on the way there."

Machine-translated

dido

14 Nov 2014 at 10:19 3600

hello,
how do I return an item?
kind regards

Machine-translated

Other walks in the area

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.

Author

bernardino
512 Walks

Visorando member

Machine-translated walk - Original version

Walk map

Bigger map and chart