Pic de Morgon and Lac Saint-Pierre

Panoramic view of Lake Serre Ponçon from the Pic du Morgon (2,324 m).
A family hike that can test your legs on the last part.

For information:

The Morgon mountain pasture is closed to dogs from 15 June to 15 September. They are tolerated on a leash between 15 July and 15 August.

17.05.2023: The Grand Clos car park is only accessible via the Abbaye de Boscodon. Do not attempt to access it by car using another GPS route.

Details

77104
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 12.45 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 55 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 830 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 830 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,320 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,593 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Access to the start of the hike:
From Embrun or Savines-le-Lac: take the N94, then the D568 (between Crots and Savines-le-Lac) towards Boscodon Abbey. At the abbey (in front of which there is a car park), follow signs for the Grand Clot car park uphill and then turn right (as well as for La Fontaine de l'Ours, uphill and then left).
Please note that the forest road from the abbey is unpaved, but this will not prevent a small city car from driving up at (very) low speed.

(S/E) This is what prompted me to park before reaching the car park (see GPS track). I quickly reached the car park by following the forest road on foot.

(1) The path starts immediately at the end of the car park. It is easy to follow as it is very well marked and wide enough for vehicles to pass (although these are obviously prohibited).
The path splits several times, allowing you to take small shortcuts that quickly rejoin the main path.
The climb is sometimes through the forest, sometimes offering increasingly clear views of the lake.
A few dozen metres after leaving the first path down to the right (towards the ladder), you will reach the Portes de Morgon without too much difficulty, revealing the magnificent Morgon cirque, bordered to the west by the Pic de Morgon and to the east by the Pic de Charance (Parpaillon massif).

(2) At the intersection, take the path opposite and follow it, keeping the bottom of the valley on your left.

(3) The path turns right, then curves sharply to the left. After a series of small hairpin bends, you will reach a fork.

(4) We head right and tackle the final climb, which first takes us to a peak offering a beautiful view of the lake and surrounding villages, then to the Pic de Morgon, from where the view expands even further, offering a 360° panorama of both the lake and the Cirque de Morgon.

(5) After enjoying the view, it is impossible to miss the path following the ridges towards the south-east, towards the Tête de la Vieille. We will take this path, taking care not to slip on the first downhill section, and admire the numerous edelweiss flowers.
The trail is very well marked.
Be careful of two tricky sections, which are rocky ridges that can be slippery in wet weather and require the use of your hands for safety (also not recommended for people who are prone to vertigo).
We then arrive at the point where we descend into the Cirque de Morgon towards Lake Saint-Pierre. The descent leads us without any particular difficulty to the small lake dominated by the Pic de Charance (Parpaillon massif).

(6) Take the second path on the left heading north to rejoin the original path just before entering the forest.

(2) We continue to the right, following the same route we took on the way up, until we reach the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,593 m - Parking before the Grand Clot car park
  2. 1 : km 0.73 - alt. 1,660 m - Parking at Le Grand Clot
  3. 2 : km 2.83 - alt. 1,894 m - Porte de Morgon - Cirque de Morgon
  4. 3 : km 4.24 - alt. 1,983 m - Turn right
  5. 4 : km 5.41 - alt. 2,218 m - Fork in the path
  6. 5 : km 5.91 - alt. 2,317 m - Pic de Morgon
  7. 6 : km 8.82 - alt. 1,924 m - Lac Saint-Pierre
  8. S/E : km 12.45 - alt. 1,593 m - Starting point car park

Notes

The path is quite busy with families with young children and groups who are unfortunately not always discreet.
For those who want to enjoy the wildlife and scenery in peace, it is best to start early to avoid the crowds that start arriving at 9 a.m.

The only water source (apart from the lake) is the drinking trough in the Morgon cirque, on the way up, near the sheepfold.

The hike to the Portes de Morgon can be done in ordinary trainers. The climb to the peak and the descent via the ridges require hiking boots for safety reasons.

Worth a visit

During the hike, you will see many marmots (despite the popularity of this hike) in the Cirque de Morgon.

If travelling by car, it would be a shame not to take the opportunity to visit Boscodon Abbey, which you will pass by on the way.

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 84 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.9 / 5
User 27965631
• Edited:

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

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

A very beautiful hike with a magnificent 360° view at the top! And sunshine as a bonus.

You can no longer pass through the sheepfold (pastoral estate), but the longer alternative is nice.

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Jjpjack
Jjpjack

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 04, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful hike with a magnificent 360° view at the top!
I had already done this hike several times, and although the route has changed a little, I was very happy to have completed it at 76 years old and with prosthetic knees...

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User 23393448

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful hike. Great view.

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Gp&Pmn
Gp&Pmn

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 16, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Change to the route by the ONF (French National Forestry Office), you no longer pass close to the sheepfold on the way up. Barrier. No problem for the looped descent.

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SossoMicka
SossoMicka
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

I went on this hike again this year with a slight twinge of sadness at the sight of the number of people sitting on this magnificent orientation table, preventing me from contemplating the view.
However, this hike remains a rare gem. It offers a variety of landscapes, alternating ascents and descents to rest your legs, and a majestic peak, making it a real treat. The difficult level is undoubtedly due to a passage along the ridge that is not easy for people who suffer from vertigo, but it is doable! No particular difficulty.
I would definitely do it again, but hopefully with fewer people around...

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User 20561020

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 01, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

a magnificent hike! However, you have to park in the pay car park, because we parked at Abbaye de Boscodon... we wasted three hours walking three quarters of the way along the road to get to the car park... apart from that, it was great.

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Tiliviou
Tiliviou

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Superb hike with magnificent views of Lake Serre Ponçon, no major difficulties, continuation of the circuit to the small lake, which was unfortunately empty, just a short technical section on the ridge, a very popular hike

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jonathan valoteau
jonathan valoteau

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 : No

Arrived at 8:30 a.m. at the car park (allow £5).
Great hike with two children aged 8 and 11.
Be aware that the climb up and down the ridge is in full sun, so make sure you bring sunscreen 😉.
Otherwise, it was magnificent.

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Mimine 2005
Mimine 2005

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 16, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful walk with a wide variety of landscapes ... However, the change in route (well signposted) is a little confusing when trying to follow the original trail.
We found the route fairly quiet for the season, despite setting off late...
The section crossing the cirque is magnificent, and don't forget to take the little detour that leads to the lake, which is beautiful! Thank you!

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Vab007
Vab007
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 22, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Superb hike! Magnificent views throughout the climb to the peak, and majestic once you reach the top!
The ridge walk is also magnificent. (Of course, make sure the weather is clear to enjoy it!)
We spotted a few marmots, including one just ten metres away!
No particular difficulty, except for the length and elevation gain.
For information, we did this hike as a family with children aged 10 and 13, in 6 hours and 20 minutes, including breaks and taking our time. The "aerial" section did not pose any particular problems, either for my children or for my wife, who is a little prone to vertigo. (A short handrail is available to reassure those who need it.)
In summer, it's best to set off early, both to enjoy the cool, calm conditions (the hike is very popular in summer) and to avoid parking problems. Parking is free before 8am and paid after that.
There were no problems with the route apart from the diversion put in place for grazing, but this was very well signposted and we had no difficulty following our walk.
When we returned to the car park in the early afternoon, it was full to bursting (with cars parked along the track)

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User 6296456

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 02, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful hike, arriving at the summit with an exceptional view despite a few clouds. A few exposed sections at the start of the descent, then a family picnic by the lake. Excellent!

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quicky2000
quicky2000

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 27, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A truly magnificent hike with superb views of the lake and the Morgon cirque.
The trail is easy to follow, and the "aerial" section posed no problems with children aged 8 and 11.
There were quite a few people but it wasn't too crowded.
The lake was quite low.

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Denis26
Denis26 ★

Thanks, LERCHER, for this information. I have just modified the hike using your GPX track to avoid the sheepfold.

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Phyloux
Phyloux

We were lucky because the small lake behind us was full, which is rare... Otherwise, there was a very beautiful view from the summit.

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LERCHER
LERCHER

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 24, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Superb hike with breathtaking views at the summit.
The return trip along the ridges and the cirque is very pleasant, with the possibility of seeing marmots despite the crowds.
It was busy at the summit but still reasonable for the season.
However, the route between points 2 and 3 has been changed, and the passage near the sheepfold is now closed. A new path has been created, which joins the old path almost at the summit.
However, it is impossible to get lost as the path is well signposted with signs at several points and yellow markings.
I have the GPX file available if you want to make the change.

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