Refuge des Drayères – Pont de l’Alpe

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3rd and final stage. Starting from the Refuge des Drayères, head up to the source of the Clarée and return to Pont de l’Alpe via the Col de la Ponsonnière. A tour of the Massif des Cerces taking in numerous lakes, each more beautiful than the last: in turn, the Clarée, Rond, Grand Ban, Cerces, Ponsonnière and, finally, the Grand Lac.

This walk is part of a multi-day hike: Boucle entre les vallées de la Guisane et de la Clarée

Details

n°35379009
Creation:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.08 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 55 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: No
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 2,014 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 3,563 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 8,579 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 5,581 ft
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Photos

Lac du Grand Ban

Description of the walk

(S) Start from the Refuge des Drayères via theGR®® Tour du Mont Thabor route. Head up towards the Source de la Clarée. Cross the Seuil des Rochilles, then walk along the right-hand side of Lac Rond to reach a junction of paths between the two lakes.

(1) Turn left and walk along the eastern tip of Lac du Grand Ban. Continue on and cross the Col des Cerces.

(2) Descend to the junction at Lac des Cerces.

(3) Leave theGR®® to the left to reach Lac des Cerces. Walk alongside it, then rejoin theGR®®. Take it to the left and complete the climb to the Col de la Ponsonnière.

(4) Take the path on the right – this is still theGR®®57– to reach Lac de la Ponsonnière.

(5) Continue the pleasant descent to the junction by the shepherd’s hut overlooking the Grand Lac.

(6) Keep left on theGR®® and, via an easy descent directly below the Arêtes de la Bruyère, reach the Clot des Vaches crossroads.

(7) Leave theGR®® and turn right, walking along the left bank of the Torrent du Rif. You will then reach the Alpe du Lauzet mountain chalets and the junction withthe GR®®50.

(8) Turn right onto the GR®® and follow the wide track to the Pont de l’Alp car park, the end point of this route (E).

Waypoints

  1. S : mi 0 - alt. 7,129 ft - Clarée (rivière)
  2. 1 : mi 2.14 - alt. 8,058 ft - Lakes junction – Lac du Grand Ban
  3. 2 : mi 2.69 - alt. 8,442 ft - Col des Cerces
  4. 3 : mi 3.23 - alt. 8,022 ft - Junction before the - Lac des Cerces
  5. 4 : mi 4.9 - alt. 8,563 ft - Col de la Ponsonnière
  6. 5 : mi 5.32 - alt. 8,432 ft - Lac de la Ponsonnière
  7. 6 : mi 6.32 - alt. 8,005 ft - Shepherd’s hut - Le Grand Lac
  8. 7 : mi 7.4 - alt. 7,218 ft - Clot des Vaches. Near the - Refuge du Clot des Vaches
  9. 8 : mi 8.12 - alt. 6,398 ft - Alpe du Lauzet - Rif (torrent) - Affluent de la Guisane
  10. E : mi 9.08 - alt. 5,581 ft - Pont de l'Alpe

This route passes through multiple protected areas, which may be subject to special regulations:

Worth a visit

Between (1) and (3): Col des Cerces, a magnificent viewpoint over the Massif des Cerces.
(4) Col de la Ponsonnière: a magnificent view of the Galibier and the Grand Lac.

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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The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.