Pousterle Plateau and Lac des Charbonières

A pleasant walk suitable for families, a half-day outing, or when you’re short on time, particularly after rain.

Details

326894
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 4.78 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 55 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 195 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 195 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,852 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,657 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Drive through Puy-Saint-Vincent, head towards the hamlets of Prey d’Aval and Prey d’Amont, and park at the end of the tarmac road.

(S/E) Take the wide track that climbs and makes large circular loops. After about 1 km, you’ll reach the plateau and the Col de la Pousterle car park. Take a moment to turn round and admire the view.

(1) Continue along this wide track, which soon veers off to the left. Climb steeply through the trees to reach a junction with a footpath.

(2) Turn right, following the signposts at each junction, and head up towards the lake. Following these signposts will keep you on the right track. The lake is signposted as 20 minutes away. Continue straight on until you come to another path crossing the one marked “par les peatlands” (signpost).

(3) Continue straight on; the path climbs slightly then descends. You will reach a path coming from your left with a very steep gradient. Take this path on the right, which climbs a little further, and you will reach the lake in 5 minutes.

(4) Return via the same route, but if you have the map, you’ll see there are several alternative routes available to get back to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,657 m - Car park at the end of the tarmac road
  2. 1 : km 1.01 - alt. 1,751 m - Plateau - Col de Pousterle (1763m)
  3. 2 : km 1.58 - alt. 1,794 m - Track-path junction
  4. 3 : km 1.84 - alt. 1,822 m - Les Têtes via the peatland
  5. 4 : km 2.37 - alt. 1,850 m - Marker: 1849m - Lac des Charbonnières
  6. S/E : km 4.78 - alt. 1,657 m - Car park at the end of the tarmac road

Notes

The walk is described from the end of the tarmac road. It is possible to drive along the track up to the Pousterle plateau (1).
The route runs through woodland, making for a very pleasant walk. The lake is quite small and its main attraction lies in the small animals that can be seen there.

Worth a visit

(4) At the lake, with a little patience, you can spot some amphibians or stunning dragonflies.
If you have a camera, there are some lovely photos to be taken.

Reviews and comments

4.3 / 5
Based on 5 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
3.8 / 5
Marie-Laure Bourgeois
Marie-Laure Bourgeois

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 29, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

A short walk suitable for beginners; otherwise, you’ll be disappointed. The lake you’d expect to find at the end is actually just a pond.
But it’s easy with children

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BAMX
BAMX

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 02, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A hike combined with the one to Les Têtes via Lac des Charbonnières. This is the only lake that still has water and is teeming with dragonflies. The other two, Lac de la Poustille and Lac des Sagnes, are dry.

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Tank81
Tank81

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

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

A nice little walk. It’s suitable for young children. You could avoid the first kilometre by driving along the unpaved track and parking further up – there’s plenty of space. However, the lake was a big let-down; it looks more like a puddle...
On the way back, take a detour to the viewpoint over the Fournon Valley – it’s absolutely stunning.

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martinlebreton
martinlebreton

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 18, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

An easy and pleasant walk we did as a family to reach the little lake. The last half-hour is more picturesque than the start.

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JP83
JP83

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 23, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent plateau at the start of the season, when the flora is in full bloom.
Not to be missed during your stay

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