A circular tour of the Ascension Lakes from La Roche de Rame

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This is the true circular route starting from La Roche de Rame, with very different scenery on the way out and back along paths that are always very pleasant. Long but without any technical difficulty, and what a treat for the eyes in the meadows around the three lakes!

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 11.00 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 9h 15 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 4,852 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 4,852 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 8,061 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 3,330 ft
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Photos

Lac de l'Ascension

Description of the walk

Start at Les Gillys, at the top of the road, above Le Verger campsite.

(S/E) Take the path on the left, which is closed to vehicles (sign), and climb the winding track towards the reservoir.

(1) At around 1,200m, turn right towards Lac de l’Ascension via Le Puy.

(2) Turn left, then right 100m further on, and continue climbing towards the lake.

(3) Junction with the path coming from Le Lauzet. Continue straight on, climbing up to the mountain pastures and the first lake.

(4) After a break, continue along the path which circles the three lakes and climbs to the small pass of Peyron (superb view).

(5) Head back down the southern side, keeping to the west, to reach a path leading to Le Giet (car park).

(6) Look behind the houses for a signposted path (sign) that descends towards La Roche de Rame.

(7) When you reach a path, take it to the right for 1 km, ignoring the one opposite leading to the footbridge.

(8) Take the new path climbing up to the right, leaving it after 200m (cairn) to join a track that drops sharply to the left along the Coumbal de Satan.

(9) At around 1,300m, turn right towards Le Bathéou and continue downhill.

(10) Leave the Bathéou on your left and continue along a path that takes you straight back to the car (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 3,330 ft - Top of Les Gillys
  2. 1 : mi 0.6 - alt. 3,953 ft - On the right. L'Eyrette
  3. 2 : mi 1.87 - alt. 5,341 ft - Le Puy
  4. 3 : mi 2.81 - alt. 5,932 ft - Lauzet crossroads
  5. 4 : mi 5.02 - alt. 7,569 ft - Large lake - Lac de l'Ascension
  6. 5 : mi 6.02 - alt. 8,061 ft - Col du Peyron
  7. 6 : mi 8.07 - alt. 6,004 ft - Le Giet
  8. 7 : mi 8.83 - alt. 5,249 ft - Path
  9. 8 : mi 9.18 - alt. 5,144 ft - Path on the right. Le Calvaire
  10. 9 : mi 10.09 - alt. 4,226 ft - On the right
  11. 10 : mi 10.78 - alt. 3,547 ft - The Bathéou
  12. S/E : mi 11 - alt. 3,330 ft - Top of Les Gillys

Notes

Streams all along the way.
Houses at Les Giet.

Worth a visit

Magnificent views and the chance to swim in the lake.

Reviews and comments

4.9 / 5
Based on 3 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
5 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
Bessillon
Bessillon

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 24, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk... Beautiful lakes and waterfalls

Machine-translated

morvanmartine2@gmail.com
morvanmartine2@gmail.com

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 06, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk, through a magnificent forest to the lakes; the lakes are stunning, the colours were magnificent and the reflections were breathtaking! The route isn’t very busy on this side; it’s much longer than the one starting from Le Lauzet but far more interesting!! The Lacs Escur are also very beautiful! A must-do hike in the Hautes-Alpes

Machine-translated

morvanmartine2@gmail.com
morvanmartine2@gmail.com

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 06, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk, through a beautiful forest to the lakes; the lakes are stunning, the colours were magnificent and the reflections were breathtaking! The route isn’t very busy on this side; it’s much longer than the one starting from Le Lauzet but far more interesting!! The Lacs Escur are also very beautiful! A must-do hike in the Hautes-Alpes

Machine-translated

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