The Pétarel Lakes

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Lakes of breathtaking beauty in a mineral setting, with magnificent views of the Valgaudemar peaks.

Technical sheet

n°90124
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 11.62 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 884 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 875 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,099 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,266 m
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Photos

Access to the lake, forest area
Reflections
View of the lakes
The second lake above is smaller.

Description of the walk

From La Chapelle-en-Valgaudemar, take the road towards the Accro-branche site, continue until you reach the hamlet of Les Portes, and park in the first car park.

(S/E) From the car park, continue south towards the hamlet for 200 metres.

(1) Turn right between the second and third buildings towards the Lacs de Pétarel.
Leave the first path that branches off to the left and continue to the right across the meadows until you quickly reach the forest.
The trail will follow the mountainside for about 3 kilometres, with a few tricky sections, but nothing too difficult.

(2) At the first crossroads, leave theGRP® (Tour du Vieux Chaillol) and turn left towards the lakes.
The trail will start to climb steeply for about 800 metres until you reach another crossroads.

(3) Turn left again towards the lakes. The trail will leave the forest and become a little more rocky, crossing small scree slopes.
After a series of switchbacks, you will reach another fork.

(4) Keep left to reach a first small lake 500m higher up.
After a few more steps, you will reach the Lacs de Pétarel.

(5) After enjoying the area, return via the same route to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,266 m - Car park in the hamlet of Les Portes
  2. 1 : km 0.18 - alt. 1,266 m - Turn right in the hamlet of Les Portes
  3. 2 : km 2.88 - alt. 1,562 m - Leave the GRP - Turn left
  4. 3 : km 3.77 - alt. 1,821 m - Turn left towards the lakes
  5. 4 : km 5.03 - alt. 2,036 m - Turn left towards the lakes
  6. 5 : km 5.65 - alt. 2,098 m - Lacs de Pétarel
  7. S/E : km 11.62 - alt. 1,266 m - Car park in the hamlet of Les Portes

Practical information

Variant 1:
It is possible to continue from the point (5) to the Col de Pétarel. This involves an additional 350m of elevation gain and a good hour's walk, but you are guaranteed a superb view of the surrounding area.
In this case, take the small path that climbs to the right of the lakes (when heading south), on the mountainside.

Option 2:
You can park a second vehicle in the hamlet of Les Andrieux (Place de la Fontaine) and take a slightly different route back. Once back at the point (2), turn left towards Les Andrieux.

You are hiking in the heart of the Écrins National Park.

The Écrins massif is an exceptional area, open to all, with a rare natural, cultural and scenic heritage. To protect these treasures, the heart of the park is marked by blue, white and red flags, where regulations must be observed. Please familiarise yourself with these regulations when preparing your hike in order to preserve this collective heritage.

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 52 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
stef83
stef83

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 14, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

The lake is magnificent. We left at 9am and there was no one at the lake; people were climbing up as we were going down. However, the descent is endless and mostly through the forest

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le dd
le dd

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 07, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Hello,
An easy hike despite the 800 m elevation gain, which is easily achieved by gradually climbing up to the lakes.
The lakes are extraordinary, with breathtaking views of the Ecrins. The beauty of the site is similar to that of Lac Noir and Lac Lérié on the Emparis plateau.
It's a shame that social media has taken hold of such an environment, leading to high visitor numbers, particularly for camping. I fear that overcrowding will leave its mark on such a fragile site.
Thanks to the author
Le DD

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meco
meco

I don't know where the other person started from.
The path isn't easy because it's fragmented by rocks, but for us it wasn't slippery.
However, we were shocked to see groups of people swimming and even diving there.
The site is magnificent

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Mareve
Mareve

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 17, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Busy trail : Yes

Difficult hike. Due to the drought, the path is crumbling and becoming slippery. Far too crowded. The lake has become a leisure destination. People swim and camp there. Endless descent.

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meco
meco

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 05, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

In 1), I would add that the climb is steep before reaching the balcony-like contour line that winds its way up and down (not to be underestimated on the way back).
The tricky sections are best tackled with ropes.

The climb is relatively shaded, as after the forest there are quite a few copses where you can stop for a rest.

Elevation gain: 954 m for 13.3 km

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cigalelc
cigalelc

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 30, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Very beautiful hike. I recommend it.

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/adjedj
/adjedj

Normally, by the end of May, apart from a few patches of snow, it should be fine... but we're not exactly scientists 😚

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Sophie la Marmotte
Sophie la Marmotte

Hello,

i would like to do this hike at the very end of May this year. If anyone can give me some information about the feasibility given the snow conditions (which may still change between now and then...), that would be great! Thank you in advance

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BelineCenoi
BelineCenoi

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 16, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Hike starting from the village.
No difficulty finding the way.
Beautiful views of the peaks opposite towards Olan
The trail is challenging, but the reward at the end is well worth it!

However, there are still people swimming up there

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Cabru
Cabru

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 02, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A challenging hike due to the elevation gain (both uphill and downhill), but it can be done even if you're not an experienced mountaineer, just take your time, which is what we did. The tricky sections are well secured. And what a reward at the end, with magnificent landscapes!
We also had ideal weather for this hike, which was beautiful without being too hot.
There are three bivouacs on site.

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Matthieux
Matthieux

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 08, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

Overnight camping at the lakes before reaching the pass the next morning.

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suzie0405
suzie0405

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 29, 2024
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

We camped by the lakes, leaving on Friday at 4:45 p.m. There were only five tents, and in the morning we were joined by a young man who came to fish for the many char in these magnificent turquoise lakes. We then returned via the Petarel Pass and the Beranne Pass, a long and challenging return journey for our knees, thighs and calves.
Swimming is possible.

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Elsarita
Elsarita

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 12, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

A challenging hike (in terms of elevation gain/distance) but the trail is remarkably well maintained.
A few tricky sections with handrails, but these did not cause any problems for people prone to vertigo. Take care with young children.
The lakes are magnificent.
However, there were around thirty tents on the site at nightfall.

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BRUN Mireille
BRUN Mireille

Hello
Hike completed on 24 June via the Col de Béranne

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Tony1974
Tony1974

Yes, I realised that afterwards, thank you very much

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