Pas de la Cavale from Larche

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This is a pleasant hike, starting off easy and leading to Lac du Lauzanier. Hikers will encounter many marmots, lakes and waterfalls, ending with a beautiful view from Pas de la Cavale.

Details

n°145493
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 16.61 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 7h 00 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 798 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 793 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,671 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,904 m
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Photos

South-facing panorama from the Pas de la Cavale
Pas de la Cavale
The Col du Boeuf
towards the Col de Larche

Description of the walk

(S/E) Once you reach the car park (by shuttle bus, on foot or by car; see practical information for more details), take theGR®5-56towards Lac du Lauzanier.
This path is wide, easy and relatively flat for 2.7 km, then climbs almost 300 m over 2 km to reach Lac du Lauzanier.

(1) As the location is easily accessible, it can get quite busy (with families or groups picnicking).

(2) Turn right to climb up to the small overhang overlooking the lake and the climb you took earlier.

(3) Then head towards the chapel to descend back down to the lake.

(4) Take the path on the right towards Lac de Derrière la Croix. The path climbs again for 800 m and reaches a stream bed (dry when we passed).

(5) Cross it following theGR® markings and, after about 400 m, Lac de Derrière la Croix appears.
Continue along the trail (the lake will be on your right, along with its signpost "Lac de Derrière la Croix" 2428m).

(6) The path branches off to the left towards Tête de l'Enchastraye. You will see a small lake on your left. TheGR® climbs in zigzags along the grassy slopes. These quickly give way to scree. A cairn marks the start of the path leading to Pas de la Cavale and Lac and Tête de l'Enchastraye.

(7) Stay on theGR® (red and white markings). You will need to be careful, because although it is not difficult, the path along the rock face in the middle of the scree slopes is relatively slippery, especially on the way down.
Continue along it to Pas de la Cavale.

(8) The return journey will be via the same route to the Pont Rouge car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,905 m - Pont Rouge car park. Near the - Ubayette (rivière)
  2. 1 : km 4.73 - alt. 2,288 m - Lac du Lauzanier
  3. 2 : km 4.83 - alt. 2,294 m - Overhang
  4. 3 : km 4.87 - alt. 2,297 m - Chapel
  5. 4 : km 4.93 - alt. 2,290 m - Signpost for Lac de Lauzanier
  6. 5 : km 6.27 - alt. 2,416 m - Crossing the stream bed
  7. 6 : km 6.83 - alt. 2,441 m - Lac de Derrière la Croix
  8. 7 : km 7.61 - alt. 2,569 m - Cairn
  9. 8 : km 8.41 - alt. 2,669 m - Pas de la Cavale (Mercantour)
  10. S/E : km 16.61 - alt. 1,904 m - Pont Rouge car park

Notes

Access to the road leading to the start of the Lauzanier trail is regulated.
Cars are not permitted between 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. (the road is closed at least during the summer).
For those wishing to reach the trailhead after 10:00 a.m., there are shuttle buses leaving shortly after Larche.
There is a car park next to a ticket office selling tickets for the shuttle bus (~€2 return).
Please note that the last shuttle leaves at around 5:00 p.m. (check the timetable).
Please note that there is a 3.6 km walk between this car park and the start of the hike, which can be long at the end of the day.
The other option is to park in one of the car parks (called "Le Pontet") 1 km before the Col de Larche. You will need to cross the road to find a path leading to the start of the hike. This adds about 1.5 km, or 3 km round trip.

As with any mountain hike, the weather and temperatures can change very quickly, so be sure to bring water, food and protection (from the sun, wind, rain and even the cold).

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

Worth a visit

The point (7) allows you to reach the Tête de l'Enchastraye, which rises to 2,950 metres above sea level.

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

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Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 7 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.4 / 5
bebeghislaine
bebeghislaine

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 26, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A superb hike to Lake Lauzanier, a truly magical experience.

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pouget yves
pouget yves

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 18, 2023
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

We followed this route to the second lake, then climbed up to the right along a cairn-marked path that leads to grassy areas and then a small pass, which takes you down into a small valley. Descending through large scree slopes (cairns), you will reach the two Lacs de l'Homme lakes before coming out onto a large valley that will take you back to the path you took on the way up, below Lac de Lauzanier.

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lahourcade
lahourcade

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 27, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

The only downside to this hike is the very long flat section at the start, which seems to have gotten longer on the way back.
Fortunately, there are some lovely encounters with locals and curious marmots just two metres from the path.

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chguilleminot
chguilleminot

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 13, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

always very crowded until Lauzanier

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ardechom
ardechom

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 13, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Thanks to the author for this wonderful hiking suggestion.
From Pas de la Cavale, you can also climb the ridges to the right, leading to the summit of Mul.

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JeanLuberon
JeanLuberon

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 17, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A handy tip: you can park your car at the Col de Larche or at the car park for another beautiful hike (l'Oronnaye).
The starting point is marked Vallon du Lauzanier.

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lezado
lezado
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 07, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

I had the opportunity to do this hike and a few others last week during a stay in Ubaye.
I would recommend that hikers park in the car park before the Col de Larche on the D900, so that they are not restricted by access times (in summer).
As for the walk itself, it does get busy from midday onwards up to the first lake (Lauzanier).
The rest of the hike is much quieter, and the climb to Pas de la Cavale, although a little more challenging, is worth the extra effort.
You can find more photos and my description on my website, ItiRando Sud-Est.

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