The lakes of the Emparis plateau

Hike facing the majestic panorama offered by La Meije, one of the queens of the Ecrins.

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Details

n°9878

Creation:
24 Aug 2012

Last update:
–

Last review:
03 Apr 2026

Activity: Walking
Distance: 13.47 km
Average duration: 6h 05
Difficulty: Moderate
Back to start: Yes
Ascent: + 774 m
Descent: - 774 m
Highest point: 2,459 m
Lowest point: 1,733 m

Country: France
Areas: Alps, Arves, Dauphiné
District: La Grave (05320)
Start/End: N 45.056966° / E 6.280083°
IGN map(s): Ref. 3335ET, 3335ETR, 3336ET, 3336ETR, 3435ET, 3435ETR, 3436ET, 3436ETR
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Description of the walk

Coming from Briançon, before the La Grave tunnel, take the road on the left that leads to Les Terrasses and Le Chazelet. Cross Le Chazelet and park at the chairlift car park.
(S/E) Turn left and follow the long winding road through the mountain pasture until you reach the first crossroads. There are two benches here.

(1) Continue on the left (sign) and rejoin the^GR®50-54marked in red and white, which crosses the plateau. After a very easy climb, you will reach the crossroads with the return path from the Via Ferrata.

(2) Continue right through the mountain pasture. Reach the valley where the Rif de Galan flows.

(3) Turn left and find a new trail on the left at a place called Le Souchet.

(4) Take this path and, in the mountain pasture, you will reach the first lake: the Lérié. A steep climb of a few metres, following the yellow^PR® markings, will take you to the second lake, the Noir.

(5). Continue along the trail until you reach another trail junction.

(6) Take the first path on the right and head towards the Souchet pass.

(7) Rejoin the^GR®50-54and take it on the right. You will then reach the crossroads at Souchet.

(4) Retrace your steps to the first crossroads, where there are two benches.

(1) Then turn left and pass under the Plateau d'Emparis ski lift to reach Clot Raffin and then the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,733 m - Chazelet car park
1 : km 1.67 - alt. 2,056 m - Crossroads with two benches.
2 : km 2.33 - alt. 2,163 m - Intersection with the Via Ferrata trail.
3 : km 3.82 - alt. 2,197 m - Crossing the Rif de Galan stream.
4 : km 4.71 - alt. 2,299 m - Fork in the path towards the two lakes.
5 : km 6.66 - alt. 2,440 m - Lac Noir (2435m)
6 : km 6.99 - alt. 2,443 m - Crossroads towards Col du Souchet - Plateau d'Emparis
7 : km 8.45 - alt. 2,363 m - Col de Souchet
S/E : km 13.47 - alt. 1,733 m - Chazelet car park

Notes

To preserve the local flora and fauna, swimming is prohibited, fires are prohibited, all rubbish must be picked up (even biodegradable items) and dogs must be kept on a leash.

There is no water on this route except at the end of the walk at Clot Raffin.
There are a few benches along the trail for a good rest.
Further on, on the plateau, the Josserand chalet towards Mizoen awaits hikers. It is a stop on the Dauphiné (^GR®50) or Oisans (^GR®54) trails.

Worth a visit

This easy walk (only 700 metres of elevation gain) is absolutely beautiful. In the direction described, you can enjoy a picnic lunch at Lac Noir, facing the majestic Meije mountain range. With a good pair of binoculars, you can even see mountaineers making the famous crossing of this rocky ridge.
The Girose glacier, near the famous Les 2 Alpes resort, is also opposite, but unfortunately it too has shrunk considerably in recent years. Finally, as you turn around, you can see the Grandes Rousses and the Pic du Lac Blanc rising up before you.

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5

Based on 76 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5

Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5

Route interest
4.9 / 5

sempervivum

03 Apr 2026 at 22:52 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 01, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A snowshoe hike on untracked snow (the plateau was completely deserted) with 2 metres of snow (for early April!), -5°C, so quite challenging even though there were no technical difficulties, taking 7 hours with an elevation gain of 860 metres. The view was magnificent, the plateau pristine – brilliant!

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User 26746970

13 Oct 2025 at 09:21 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 08, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

No words... my very first solo hike in the high mountains.
What a wonderful moment, ideal for recharging your batteries and marvelling at the world!
I chose it thanks to all your comments! It's the one I chose. Thank you!
I just wanted to stay up there for days and days to enjoy it even more!

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Rando Leo

29 Sep 2025 at 22:48 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 23, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike on the Emparis plateau, best done in good weather to enjoy the view opposite the plateau, particularly of La Meije and La Barre des Ecrins. The climb up to the Emparis plateau via the GR is quite steep, but just take your time. The two benches at the end of the climb are a welcome place to sit and enjoy the view. The circular route via the Lérié and Noir lakes and the Souchet pass is interesting. A very beautiful plateau with numerous herds of cows: a bucolic landscape! On the way back at the end of September, at the two benches, we descended to Le Chazelet via the path used by bicycles (red path). This allows you to vary the route (we didn't meet anyone as it was a weekday and not a school holiday)

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Heidrun

05 Sep 2025 at 07:13 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 30, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike, very accessible with superb scenery.
We camped at Lac Noir with a view of La Meije. Magnificent.
Thank you for sharing this hike

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overdrive38

18 Aug 2025 at 09:29 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 17, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very accessible, family-friendly hike compared to other nearby areas. The description is fairly brief and could do with a few additional details, especially as some of the signposts had fallen down. At one point, you need to make sure you leave the GR trail by turning left (point 4). We followed the GPS track, so we didn't have any particular problems. However, it's difficult to get lost given how busy the area is (busy but not too busy). It would have been better to start the route from the nearby car park rather than from the bottom of the chairlift.
Be sure to follow the direction of the hike, as the descent on the way back seems more complicated if you go the other way.
The scenery is really worth the detour, with La Meije serving as a guide along the entire route.
The first part is a climb that gets easier but is very accessible
Lac Lerié is a nice place to stop for a picnic (with a view of the precipice on one side and the lake and cows on the other, it's really beautiful)
Lac Noir is less spectacular but also worth a visit.
The return journey is downhill almost immediately after Lac Noir, with no difficulties to report and panoramic views to delight the eyes.
The hike took the time indicated for four people, including two children aged 10 and 14, including stops to admire the view, picnic, take photos, watch marmots, etc. We recommend this route.

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cchambault

11 Aug 2025 at 22:15 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 11, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very beautiful view of La Meije, to be enjoyed in good weather.

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stjo

11 Aug 2025 at 14:08 7200

@User 26463356, interesting to read such a simplistic opinion! So, for you, the only appeal of the Emparis plateau is the opportunity to camp there (I wonder if that's allowed, by the way) and the view of La Meije? Whereas the plateau itself is a pure marvel with its wide open spaces, superb lakes and magnificent flora. Perfect, you won't be coming back, which means fewer people to spoil it for everyone else.

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User 26463356

11 Aug 2025 at 12:50 7200

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 08, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful route for an introductory bivouac with the family. The view of the Écrins mountain range is truly superb. The rest of the hike on the Emparis Plateau does not offer any other points of interest

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User 7547724

04 Aug 2025 at 11:54 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 30, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A magnificent walk with views of La Mèje... when there are no clouds. Lakes to discover at the edge of the plateau with edelweiss flowers. A real treat, but you need to be prepared for a 6-7 hour walk with a somewhat challenging descent via Le Mezelet.

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User 13572237

28 Jul 2025 at 14:06 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 28, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful route, not too busy in June 2025. Marmots along the way and a few lakes. Beautiful panoramic views of several glaciers. A really enjoyable route that I would recommend.

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M13I9C3H8

14 Jul 2025 at 09:59 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very pleasant, lots of people by the lakes.

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hugues13

30 Jun 2025 at 21:59 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 26, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

ascent to the plateau under cloudy skies, fortunately during this period of early heatwave, followed by good weather and magnificent 360° panoramic views of the surrounding mountains

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Sophie la Marmotte

02 Jun 2025 at 10:14 7200

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

I'd been recommended this hike and I wasn't disappointed! As far as the figures are concerned, I agree with some of the opinions: I did quite a bit of the plateau and the lakes and I had 20.2km on the clock and 800 and a bit of D+. I found the climb relatively easy because it's gradual, winding and you can't wait to reach the 1st lake (lac lérié) which offers a sublime view of the Meije and the surrounding peaks. My favourite spot is the Lac Noir, which was thawing with some absolutely magnificent variations in blue. There are a few névés around the lake but you can walk around them or across them without any danger as there are no overhangs or gaps. The following lakes are just as beautiful. I wanted to go as far as the crystal-clear lake but I was content to look at it from above as there was still a huge firn and a breathless walker advised me not to go down there. At that point, it looked potentially dangerous. The only downside to the hike: the end! I agree with the previous reviews, which weren't lying! Long (interminable ), foot-breaking and not nice for the knees and feet! But the beauty of this hike makes you forget everything!

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Capucine S

11 Nov 2024 at 15:50 3600

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 10, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

As beautiful as ever, whatever the season!
In November, the mountain has turned from green to flamboyant yellows, reds and golds, which contrast with the white of the Meije glaciers just opposite this beautiful balcony...
A great reward after the short climb that warms you up at the start, and before the steep descent that is almost forgotten thanks to the exceptional panorama.
Very busy, even in November, but it doesn't matter: there's plenty of room!
A must-do for lovers of the great outdoors!

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zazoux

09 Sep 2024 at 20:18 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 09, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A superb hike with dazzling views of torrents and glaciers, which starts out a little steep and winding for the first 400 metres of ascent, but the rest swallows itself up. Point 4 didn't seem to us to be sufficiently described in the description (that's why it's only 4*), but in the author's defence, it's true that at this point there isn't much that's "characteristic", apart from the fact that the proposed path is marked with a cross (indicating that you shouldn't go there). So we missed the mark, went straight ahead and tackled a small steep slope towards point 7. We didn't have the courage to go down to go back up, because fortunately, before point 7 there's another fork (where there's a bench and a path that goes off to the left) joining the proposed route. The walk is really superb, although a little busy. It was done on 15/08/2024, so it's bound to be quite busy.

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