Sept Laux Day 1

Date of your route : Sep 05, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

There were three of us and we completed the hike in 1.5 days.
There were some beautiful views, especially at the top of the Col de la Vache, which is the first difficult part of the route but nothing insurmountable.
We camped next to Lake Cottepens without any problems. We met quite a few hikers along the way and saw tents near the lake and the refuge.
Day 2 involves descents on stony paths (be careful not to slip) and beautiful climbs along the ski slopes.
The end of the route is not very well marked or signposted, so stay alert to avoid straying too far from the path.

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Date of your route : May 26, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

First part of a two-day self-guided trek. There are lots of people in the car park, so I quickly head off in search of peace and quiet.
Unfortunately, there are quite a few people until we reach the first lake. We have a picnic around this small lake, and up to this point, there are many signs of human presence (electricity pylons, etc.).
But once we set off to the left of the lake, I only came across four people before the Col de la Vache, and this section is absolutely magnificent. There was a cascade of clouds falling along the mountains under bright sunshine, absolute calm and even seven ibexes!
After a few easy snowfields at the start of the trek, we reached the Col de la Vache, whose famous and rather difficult scree slope was completely covered in thick snow despite the heat and strong sunshine.
After some hesitation, I decided to climb with my 14kg backpack, my walking sticks and my approach shoes (without snow crampons). When I was 5m from the summit, the snow collapsed under my foot, I fell and found myself halfway up (it was difficult to brake). I allowed myself a second attempt, but no more. Taking even more time and digging secure holes in the snow, I finally reached the summit.

The view was sublime and I was relieved. The lake was still frozen solid and hikers making the route in the opposite direction asked me how I had managed to climb without crampons.
The rest of the route is covered in snow and a thick fog rolls in, preventing me from enjoying the large lake before the refuge, but what calm and what an atmosphere: magical!
I pitch my tent near the refuge, on a small hill in front of a lake.

From a practical point of view, there is water very often, but you need a GPS because the markings are under the snow.

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Date of your route : Aug 06, 2020
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. However, on the advice of locals, I did not start from the Betta car park but from the Val de Prés colony, heading towards the Habert Aiguebelle refuge. I parked my car there. The access road is not paved but is accessible if you drive slowly.
However, you gain 200 metres of elevation in the forest for a wide track with a nice view.
It takes 1 hour and 40 minutes to reach the Pas de la Coche.

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Date of your route : Jul 18, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike with lovely views. The hike to the edge of the Col de la Vache is very pleasant and suitable for all levels. However, the climb up the Col de la Vache is quite difficult due to the scree and snow that is still present in mid-July.
The descent on the other side of the pass was very difficult. The path was still half covered in snow and even with walking sticks and hiking boots, the descent was almost dangerous, especially at the beginning. Crampons would have been necessary.
The lakes before reaching the refuge are very pretty, even if you can see signs of human presence (dam, electricity pylon).

We slept in a bivouac opposite the refuge. Places are quite scarce, but don't worry, there are other spaces before and after the refuge.

I recommend this route, which requires a lot of agility and perseverance but is well worth the effort.

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Date of your route : Aug 27, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

very nice hike.
It's quite difficult to find a flat spot to pitch your tent because it's so crowded.
On the second day, it was a bit disappointing to walk along the ski slopes.

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Date of your route : Aug 12, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very beautiful hike to do in clear weather, well marked. The scree slope is quite difficult, especially if there is a little snow, but the view is magnificent at the Col de la Vache.

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