Mont Pelat from the Col de la Cayolle

A very accessible 3,000-metre peak with magnificent views of Lac d'Allos and a 360° panorama. The hike is superb, with lakes, marmots and chamois along the route.

Details

1463463
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 16.24 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 8h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,217 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,214 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 3,039 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 2,322 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the Col de la Cayolle car park.

(S/E) Follow the path that starts opposite the car park, on the side of the road, heading west towards "Col de la Petite Cayolle". The path passes by a small lake.

(1) Continue in the same direction, quickly joining the R56B, which is shared with theGRP® Tour du Haut Verdon. Take it to the left to reach the Col de la Petite Cayolle.

(2) Descend along the path that goes around the right side of Lac de la Petite Cayolle.

(3) Continue along this path and you will reach the first fork at an altitude of 2,418 metres.

(4) Take the path on the right and descend slightly to reach another fork at an elevation of 2384 metres.

(5) Continue to the right and begin the ascent of Mont-Pelat. You will come to a third fork at an altitude of 2650 metres with a path leading to Lac du Trou de l'Aigle.

(6) Continue the ascent by taking the path on the left. After a few hairpin bends in the Combe du Pelat, the path runs along the ridge for about 200 metres. The last few metres are quite steep, but not particularly difficult. Climb them carefully, following the yellow markings on the rocks.

(7) Begin the descent via the same route until you reach the previous crossroads.

(6) Take the path opposite, which quickly leads to Lac du Trou de l'Aigle.

(8) Return to the previous crossroads.

(6) Finish the descent by retracing your steps to return to the car park where you started (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 2,322 m - Car park - Col de la Cayolle
  2. 1 : km 1.45 - alt. 2,496 m - Small lake. Source of the - Bachelard (rivière)
  3. 2 : km 2.31 - alt. 2,640 m - Col de la Petite Cayolle
  4. 3 : km 2.6 - alt. 2,591 m - Lac de la Petite Cayolle
  5. 4 : km 3.69 - alt. 2,431 m - Crossroads
  6. 5 : km 4.05 - alt. 2,391 m - Crossroads
  7. 6 : km 5.77 - alt. 2,648 m - Start of a path to Lac du Trou de l'Aigle
  8. 7 : km 7.74 - alt. 3,037 m - Mont Pelat
  9. 8 : km 10.07 - alt. 2,675 m - Lac du Trou de l'Aigle
  10. S/E : km 16.24 - alt. 2,322 m - Col de la Cayolle car park

Notes

No water sources along the route.

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

Reviews and comments

4.9 / 5
Based on 10 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
5 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
RPodor
RPodor

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 25, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The possibility of reaching 3,000 metres without too much difficulty. The climb allows you to see the landscape open up onto Lake Allos and the other surrounding valleys. The long traverses before the summit are not too steep and are easy to navigate. The last part to reach the summit requires a little more attention: you need to use your hands and not be too prone to vertigo. The arrival at the top offers a 360° view "from Mont Blanc to Corsica" (yes, that's what it says in the guidebook!). The weather was a little foggy for us and we didn't have such an extensive view. On the way down, we still had energy left, so we pushed on to Lac d'Allos, then climbed back up to Pas du Lausson and returned via the GR52. This allowed us to do a "simple" round trip: 25km, 1600m of elevation gain and beautiful images in our minds (allow 10 hours of walking with breaks).

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User 1809010

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 21, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Superb hike, I recommend it – the only drawback, which isn't really mentioned: if you suffer from vertigo, avoid the last 50 metres of the climb.

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bleu78
bleu78

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 29, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

We set off from the pass at 6am and arrived at Mont Pelat three hours later. There were four of us. The 360° view was very pleasant. On the way down, I passed 40 or 50 people (starting early pays off). Lake Allos gradually came into view as we climbed, with a beautiful foreground of meadows and forests. I descend to the lake and walk around it. It's not particularly memorable, apart from its rocky backdrop and cute chapel, and there are lots of people coming from the Laus car park. I return to the Cayolle pass for a total walk of 8 hours and 20 minutes. For enthusiasts, there is a small bivouac area on the edge of the Petite Cayolle lake.

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Floren
Floren

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 02, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Magnificent!
An exceptional view

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deborah1991
deborah1991

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 18, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

An incredible hike! Magnificent landscapes, a well-marked route and trail, without a doubt.

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Bruno98
Bruno98
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 01, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

It's a popular route, but we managed to avoid the crowds by starting the climb up Mont Pelat fairly early after camping at the foot of the trail. Magnificent views from start to finish!

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papaye06
papaye06

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 19, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The hike is superb, with lakes, marmots and chamois along the way, and we were lucky enough to see a deer on the way there. tar:

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osiris130
osiris130 ★

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 04, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful hike to a very accessible 3,000-metre peak. The entire route is on trails except for the last 50 metres, which are a little steeper but not difficult. At the summit, there is a superb panorama of the entire Southern Alps, with Lake Allos just below.

There are lots of marmots along the route and a few chamois (especially around Lac du Trou de l'Aigle, which we found very pretty).

Be aware that it can get very busy. Set off early in the morning to enjoy some peace and quiet at the summit.

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DanielANDRE
DanielANDRE

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 08, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful hike
A classic!

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francony lisa
francony lisa

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 09, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Superb hike! The route is not particularly difficult, with a gradual climb.
Lots of marmots and a few chamois! The view from the summit is magnificent!

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