Emparis Plateau, Lac Lérié and Lac Noir

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A somewhat long but magnificent hike with the Meije glaciers in the background.

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Details

n°2713
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 16.81 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 7h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 997 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,005 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,453 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,732 m
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Photos

Lac Noir
Lac Lérié
the wolf of Emparis
you may also encounter

Description of the walk

Drive to the hamlet of Le Chazelet (altitude 1,800 m). It is located 6 km after leaving the RN91 coming from Grenoble or Briançon. Park at the entrance to the hamlet.

(S/E) Cross the hamlet and follow the small road on the left for about 200m, which descends to the ski lift.

(1) Cross the bridge over the Torrent du Gâ and take theGR®50opposite. Please note that the signposting was changed in 2011 and no longer corresponds to the route on the map. The path climbs quite steeply and quickly joins the hamlet of Clot Raffin (altitude 1824m).

(2) At the exit of the hamlet, turn left and continue to follow the newGR®50route. The slope is now less steep. Pass under the Plateau d'Emparis ski lift and rejoin the oldGR® route near a bench (altitude 2,000m).

(3) Turn right and follow theGR®, which continues to climb steadily. The path then levels out at the same altitude for about 4 km, crossing several small streams. Take advantage of this easy section to admire the magnificent panorama of the Meije glaciers, just opposite, on the other side of the Romanche valley. Pass the ruins of the Chalet de la Loge below on your left and continue to the plateau, which marks the start of the Plateau d'Emparis.

(4) Leave theGR® trail that leads to the Col du Souchet and turn left to follow a well-marked trail that climbs towards Lac Lérié (altitude 2,400 m), which you will reach in 15 minutes.

(5) Follow the path that continues to climb steadily and, in 10 minutes, you will reach Lac Noir (altitude 2,450m).

(6) From the lake, the trail continues north. Leave a trail on your right and continue straight ahead.

(7) The trail descends steeply through the rocks. Be careful of snowfields that have not yet melted in spring.
After 2.5 km of descent, join theGR® 50 at Rif Tor (altitude 2,311 m).

(8) Turn right and climb up to the Col du Souchet (altitude 2,365 m).

(9) Continue straight ahead and join the fork in the trail that climbs to Lac Lérié.

(4) Continue straight ahead and take the same path back to Le Chazelet (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,799 m - Le Chazelet
  2. 1 : km 0.67 - alt. 1,732 m - Bridge over the Torrent du Gâ
  3. 2 : km 1.08 - alt. 1,827 m - Clot Raffin, on the left
  4. 3 : km 2.36 - alt. 2,059 m - Bench, junction with the old GR trail, on the right
  5. 4 : km 5.3 - alt. 2,286 m - Crossing the loop - Plateau d'Emparis
  6. 5 : km 6.61 - alt. 2,379 m - Lac Lérié (2450m)
  7. 6 : km 7.29 - alt. 2,437 m - Lac Noir (2435m)
  8. 7 : km 8.03 - alt. 2,426 m - Rocks. Fast and steep descent.
  9. 8 : km 9.27 - alt. 2,190 m - Rif Tor, GR junction, on the right
  10. 9 : km 10.96 - alt. 2,364 m - Col de Souchet
  11. S/E : km 16.81 - alt. 1,798 m - Le Chazelet

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.

This relatively long hike requires you to bring plenty of water. There are no water sources along the route. In addition, the numerous herds grazing on the plateau discourage the use of water from small streams or lakes.
In case of bad weather, shelter can be found 15 minutes from the trail at the Chalet du Rif Tor. Tired hikers can also stop there for the night, splitting the hike in two.
This circuit is suitable for all seasons, but I prefer June for the explosion of spring flowers!
Please note that some north-facing sections may remain covered in snow until early summer.

Worth a visit

In La Grave, you can take the cable car to reach the Meije glaciers.
From the hamlet of Les Hières, you can walk to the Goléon glacial lake, spend the night in the refuge and return the next day.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 53 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.9 / 5
Anibac
Anibac

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 20, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Leaving at 8:00 a.m., the climb up Rafin is very steep, but it has the advantage of reducing the distance of the climb and is also less crowded, so I would do it again that way. For the descent, I took the GR trail. The route is long, but the constant view of La Meije and the mountain pastures makes you forget that. The route descent was completed in 7 hours, with numerous detours to 'see behind or below or above' and breaks to marvel at the view and take a nap. The descent around 2:00 p.m. took place while passing countless hikers and campers. Leave early if you want to enjoy the solitary landscapes and the whistling of marmots (if you can't see them).
Hiking solo, this route is safe as it is well-travelled, marked and without technical difficulty.

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User 13473522

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 07, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

This trail allows you to admire La Meije at all times, right down to its reflection in the lake. Although this trail attracts many hikers (and understandably so), it never feels crowded, as there is plenty of space for everyone.
I hadn't done this walk for about ten years, and I usually went in June or July. I found the plateau less flowery than I remembered. However, the big change is the size of Lake Lérié: it has really shrunk, probably due to global warming. Its banks were a little dirty from cow dung from grazing cows nearby, which forced hikers to spread out over the neighbouring rocks...

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Cath Khal
Cath Khal
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 20, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

This route is busy unless you set off early in the morning, as we did, to avoid the heat!
Magnificent views of the peaks with the Meije glacier. You may have difficulty finding the fork in the road, as there are no signs for Lac Lérié.
Similarly, after Lac Noir, if you turn off towards the Col du Souchet, there are no signs. But the paths are clearly visible.

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cck.stasser
cck.stasser

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

A sublime hike, lakes and a fantastic walk. My only regret is that it was too crowded, regardless of the time of day and the direction we took. Thank you so much for this beautiful route

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valo
valo
• Edited:

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

A magnificent hike with exceptional views of La Meije and the glaciers. It is a wonderful landscape that cannot fail to move and soothe you.
And this year there are even more flowers than usual!
I do this hike every 2-3 years and never tire of it.

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Lutxo64
Lutxo64

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 12, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

This hike follows part of the GR50 trail, which is easy to follow. The main difficulty is its length (over 15 km), rather than its gradient. Especially in hot weather, be sure to take plenty of water (at least 2 litres per person) as there is nowhere to refill your water bottles along the route

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FARGE JANETTE
FARGE JANETTE

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 28, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

a beautiful hike to do again when the weather is cooler

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quentin07210
quentin07210

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 29, 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

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Gomez Carlos
Gomez Carlos

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 16, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A superb walk with magical scenery. A popular route, of course.

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Krysia
Krysia

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

A beautiful hike with panoramic views of the Meije glaciers. Be careful after the Lac Noir to find the return path, which is not marked. We missed it and ended up taking a much longer route.

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Morgane M
Morgane M

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 21, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful hike with magnificent views of the Meije glaciers. The Lerié and Noir lakes are very pretty. Best done in cool weather as it is not shaded on this route

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Gomez Carlos
Gomez Carlos

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 20, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

On this August day, the circuit was very busy. The view of the Meije massif is simply magnificent. Please note that at the start, from the car park, you have to go back down to the foot of the chairlift

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PatRab
PatRab

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

An interesting walk with an unbeatable, breathtaking view of the Meije massif. The meeting of the Lac Lérié and Lac Noir lakes brings a refreshing perspective that adds to the charm of the discovery.
Following the .gpx trail was a real bonus: precise, nothing to add.
Thank you to the person who described this superb hike so well.
And luckily, the weather was on our side. To be on the safe side, as with any mountain hike, be sure to check the weather forecast, which we did on Météoagricole and/or Météociel.
Highly recommended, but don't do it with your eyes closed ;=)
Thank you, thank you, thank you.

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ROLAND DE GENNARO
ROLAND DE GENNARO
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 20, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hike to do before the flowers finish blooming.

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F.X
F.X

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 10, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

I went to Lac Noir and came back the same way.
A superb hike with a picnic on the banks of Black Lake, with the Meije massif reflected in the water.
Magnificent! I even saw a stoat on the way back.
Apart from the climb at the exit of Le Chazelet and the descent on the way back, I didn't encounter any major difficulties.

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