Emparis Plateau from Besse-en-Oisans

This is a beautiful hike with a wide variety of landscapes ranging from pastures to glaciers that can be admired on the northern slope of the Écrins.

Message from the moderator: You are in a Sensitive Natural Area (Natura 2000) which is subject to specific regulations (see practical information).

Details

n°285812

Creation:
23 Jun 2016

Last update:
24 Jul 2023

Last review:
04 Aug 2025

Activity: Walking
Distance: 16.98 km
Average duration: 7h 50
Difficulty: Difficult
Back to start: Yes
Ascent: + 1,030 m
Descent: - 1,029 m
Highest point: 2,456 m
Lowest point: 1,555 m

Country: France
Areas: Alps, Arves, Dauphiné
District: Besse (Isère) (38142)
Start/End: N 45.0732° / E 6.174643°
IGN map(s): Ref. 3335ET, 3335ETR, 3336ET, 3336ETR, 3435ET, 3435ETR, 3436ET, 3436ETR
Hour-by-hour weather

Avalanche risk assessment bulletin

Discover Visorando Premium

Downloads

Open in the mobile app

Download GPX GPX

Download PDF PDF

Photos

Description of the walk

Access: Car park at the entrance and exit of the village of Besse-en-Oisans.

(S) From the upper exit of the village, take the^GR®54(a fairly flat paved road heading northeast).

(1) Pass under a cross and continue along the road.

(2) At Les Granges du Gay, take a bridge on the right and continue along the road, which climbs gently at first.

(3) When the road makes a hairpin turn to the right, continue straight ahead on the^GR®54, which leaves the road. Turn right at two successive forks. After several hairpin bends, you will reach the Col Nazié at an altitude of around 1900 metres.

(4) Continue on the winding path to cover a significant elevation gain. At a fork, turn left and continue to Chalet Josserand.

(5) The path levels out. At the intersection, turn right towards Col Saint-Georges. Leave the ruins and a cross on your left. At the car park (signposted Chalet Josserand - Parking), turn left towards Lac Lerié and Lac Noir. After crossing a vast plain, head south-east, still on the^GR®54, until you come to a track. Continue straight ahead on the path.

(6) Ford a stream to climb up to the Emparis plateau. Just after the ford, at the fork, leave the^GR®54and take the path on the right towards Lac Cristallin. The path climbs up through pastures and then a stony area before reaching Lac Cristallin on the right.

(7) Continue climbing up the rocks. The path is marked by cairns. Suddenly, the trail levels out and then descends. Walk along a few small lakes before reaching Lac Noir on the left, just after a speed camera.

(8) The path continues south-east then east and begins a loop towards the north-east. You will see Lac Lérié on your right.

(9) Walk along this lake and continue north/north-east.

(10) At the T-junction at Le Plateau, turn left towards the Col du Souchet.

(11) Shortly before the Col du Souchet, join the^{GR®50/GR®54}. Turn left towards Besse. At the Col du Souchet, ignore a path on the left and continue on the^GR® to reach the stream that you crossed on the way there.

(6) Follow the same route as on the way there to return to the car park in Besse (E).

Waypoints

S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,565 m - Besse
1 : km 0.32 - alt. 1,566 m - Cross
2 : km 0.76 - alt. 1,556 m - Granges du Gay
3 : km 0.87 - alt. 1,565 m - Go straight ahead on the GR54
4 : km 2.35 - alt. 1,898 m - Col Nazié (1902m)
5 : km 3.83 - alt. 2,253 m - Chalet Josserand
6 : km 5.47 - alt. 2,191 m - Plateau d'Emparis
7 : km 6.57 - alt. 2,355 m - Lac Cristallin
8 : km 7.6 - alt. 2,436 m - Lac Noir (2435m)
9 : km 8.16 - alt. 2,396 m - Lac Lerié - Lac Lérié (2450m)
10 : km 8.73 - alt. 2,374 m - The Plateau
11 : km 9.68 - alt. 2,356 m - Join the GR50/GR54
S/E : km 16.98 - alt. 1,561 m - Besse

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.

In hot weather, you will be walking a lot in the sun. Wear suitable clothing and bring plenty of water.
We chose to do this hike starting from Besse, knowing that it can also be done starting from Le Chazelet (near La Grave).

Worth a visit

From Lac Noir (8), there is a magnificent view of the Pic de la Grave, the Meije and the Râteau.

Reviews and comments

4.9 / 5

Based on 20 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5

Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5

Route interest
5 / 5

cathycoco

04 Aug 2025 at 11:27 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 29, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

along the hiking trail, there was no one except on the plateau, where there were many cars and people
the magical Meige glacier and its reflection on the magnificent Lac Noir

Machine-translated

M Grisel

24 Jun 2025 at 08:41 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 24, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Tour completed in June 2025 in good weather, no problems and beautiful glacier scenery at the top.

Machine-translated

florinette123

25 Nov 2024 at 20:59 3600

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 25, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Just beautiful!!!

Machine-translated

AALEX

21 Aug 2023 at 10:40 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 18, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Excellent hike with stunning scenery.

Machine-translated

toureiffeil

31 Jul 2023 at 12:53 7200

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 27, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike, with magnificent views of the plateau and then the Black Lake.
Be careful though, as the descent to Besse is quite steep and hard on the toenails, at least for me, as mine are already traumatised from playing tennis in the past.
there is a sheep carcass on the path between the Col de Nazié and the Josserand chalet, which is quite impressive.
I recommend this hike.

Machine-translated

Charlie 38

22 Jul 2023 at 19:12 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 22, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very beautiful hike, magnificent landscape of the Ecrins with the Meije clearly visible.

Lac Cristallin no longer exists; there wasn't a drop of water left.
Lac Noir, on the other hand, is really beautiful.

No particular difficulties, the elevation gain is gradual.
The loop took 6 hours to complete.

I think 7 hours is a good amount of time to take your time.

I recommend it

Machine-translated

Stella228

18 Aug 2021 at 19:57 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 17, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Beautiful views of La Meije, a shame that the small lakes are empty, definitely worth visiting in spring or early summer.

Machine-translated

JODIDO

26 Jul 2021 at 17:45 7200 • Edited: 26 Jul 2021 at 17:46 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 20, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

First hike in Oisans.
Superb views of the Rousses mountain range, La Meije and its glaciers.
Warm and sunny weather. Not too many hikers, most of whom came from the car park near Chalet Josserand and limited themselves to visiting the two lakes.
There are no signposts for Lake Lérié, which is not particularly interesting compared to Lake Noir.
Duration of the hike: 8 hours and 10 minutes, taking our time.
There were no particular difficulties, as the elevation gain was very gradual.

Machine-translated

didp45

20 Sep 2020 at 17:34 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 03, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A fairly busy route for the season, but what beautiful scenery! The view of La Meije is truly stunning. The route is easy to follow and very well signposted at the top of the plateau. No particular difficulties.

Machine-translated

chguilleminot

20 Jul 2020 at 17:21 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 19, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

High traffic towards the Black Lake.
However, the loop is easy.
Several areas of edelweiss near the trail.
Superb panorama of the Meije massif and the Deux-Alpes glacier.

Machine-translated

SoapyWY

25 Jun 2018 at 10:33 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 23, 2018
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very beautiful hike!

The trail is well marked, so it's almost impossible to get lost.

The climb is steep but not particularly difficult. It is a very popular mountain bike trail.

The Emparis plateau can be reached by car (which means you don't have to climb most of the way on foot), but the road is very impressive as it's right on the edge of a precipice. As the plateau is accessible by car, there were quite a few people at the top (at the end of June).

Machine-translated

rivassou

23 Oct 2017 at 00:01 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 23, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Superb hike from Besse with a tour of the Lac Férié plateau and lake, returning to Besse (21 km)
good physical condition is required for this circuit, but the hike is magnificent and magical.

a snack at Lac Noir or Lac Férié is a must

Machine-translated

noglitchyo

03 Sep 2017 at 12:13 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 03, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very beautiful hike, quite difficult at the beginning, offering magnificent views.
We went in early August and the trail wasn't too crowded. However, this hike offers the chance to see lakes, and at this time of year most of these small lakes are dry.
The climb is definitely worth the effort.
Tip: take your tent and pitch it by a lake to spend the night!

Machine-translated

jjpassi

14 Aug 2017 at 10:44 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

First, there's a steep climb that breaks your legs, but the view is magnificent... Breathless and with tears in your eyes, this plateau offers a diversity of landscapes that is simply exceptional... You could imagine yourself in Patagonia, then in Kyrgyzstan with the horses... I highly recommend it

Machine-translated

pinchy

18 Jun 2017 at 14:16 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 11, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

To avoid the rather long and uninteresting approach walk, you can drive up to the plateau. Be careful, the road is vertiginous, so don't be afraid of heights and hope you don't encounter too many vehicles, as it's difficult to pass.
The scenery is magnificent, especially if, like me, you are lucky with the weather and get to see the spring flowers.

Machine-translated