Tour du Ferrouillet via the Trois Laux and the Crop and Coche lakes

This wild hike takes place in spectacular, uncrowded locations, with a good third of the route on a faint but obvious trail that presents no technical difficulties. There are many ibex and chamois as soon as you leave the marked trails, and it is easy to observe them if you set off early enough.

A recommended alternative is to climb to the Pointe Centrale du Ferrouillet from the Col de la Brêche, which does not increase the difficulty (allow 30 minutes there and back).

Details

n°635200
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.54 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 7h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 4,498 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 4,472 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 8,140 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 4,485 ft

Photos

Description of the walk

To park, continue past the car park at the IGN elevation of 1294m and, after the next hairpin bend, turn right onto a forest track suitable for vehicles; park 200m further on at the Ravin des Trois Fontaines.

Important warning: this walk was described before the creation ofthe GR®®738; there was very little (if any) signposting and the paths were barely visible. Nowadays, it is possible to reach (6) from (2) by staying entirely on a wide track marked in white and red. If you do this and leave a review of the walk, please do not state that the track or the description is unreliable (as you will not have followed it). Please note that theGR®® does not pass through Les 3 Laux at (4), which is a shame at the start of the season (until mid-June); from July onwards, current weather conditions make this section less appealing.

(S/E) From the car park, continue along the track on the right which crosses the stream at a ford near a pumping station. Stay on the wide path heading uphill (do not head towards the Betta bridge), which heads west and climbs slightly before descending to join theGR®®549at the Ravin de l’Avalanche.
From there, follow the red and white-marked path on the left, which leads to Lac de Crop via the two hamlets of the same name.

(1) At Lac de Crop, keep the lake on your right as you walk alongside it, staying on theGR®®549(red and white) trail leading to the Col de la Mine de Fer.
Early in the season, it’s easy to cut across the snowfields to make faster progress; otherwise, take the switchbacks of the path, which heads broadly south. Below the Petit Replomb, the path veers eastwards across the scree (or snowfields) and the slope levels off. After a flat section above the cliffs overlooking Lac Bleu, it heads south and then south-west to reach the Col de la Mine de Fer.

(2) Once at the pass, look back to locate the Brèche de Roche Fendue to the east-north-east: from here, the route is marked with yellow and, in places, blue dots. Retrace your steps for about 150 metres, then head due east beneath the foothills of the Colomb before descending towards the IGN elevation of 2,296 metres. Do not descend any lower than the neighbouring cliffs, and climb back up to the east through the scree-filled gully leading to the Brèche de Roche Fendue.

(3) At the Brèche, descend due east along the steepest slope for about 250m before veering northwards when the Trois Laux lakes come into view. Then descend, keeping the lakes in sight, until you reach the right bank (southern bank) of the largest one.

(4) Stay on this bank and turn right (east) to follow the stream bed, which acts as the lake’s outlet. You will soon come across a well-marked path that veers northwards to cross the stream and climbs slightly up a ridge (it is also possible to go round the ridge at the same level, but there are a few rounded boulders making this option more difficult: when the terrain becomes too steep, you must descend due east to go round these rocks at the base and then head northwards back towards Le Clot). After this ridge, you’ll arrive above the Clot du Ban shepherd’s shelter and descend towards it as the terrain dictates, for example via a small gully flanked by rock (see GPS track) to the west-north-west.

(5) At Le Clot, do not continue along the level path sloping gently down towards the east, but head straight up off-trail, aiming for the right-hand side of a small dome (IGN elevation 2,134 m) to the north-east. From there, join a path linking Le Sifflet to the Pas de la Coche (sparsely marked in yellow). Continue along this path, heading north-east, slightly below the crest of a ridge, to reach the Pas de la Coche and its lake.

(6) From the Pas de la Coche, a well-marked yellow path heads west. It crosses a stream just below the Habert d’Aiguebelle, before winding its way through meadows and woodland back to the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 4,587 ft - Ravin des Trois Fontaines car park
  2. 1 : mi 2.47 - alt. 6,273 ft - Lac de Crop
  3. 2 : mi 3.75 - alt. 7,867 ft - Col de la Mine de Fer (2400m)
  4. 3 : mi 4.51 - alt. 8,104 ft - Brèche de Roche Fendue
  5. 4 : mi 4.86 - alt. 7,490 ft - Les Trois Laux
  6. 5 : mi 6.04 - alt. 6,614 ft - Clot du Ban
  7. 6 : mi 6.72 - alt. 6,516 ft - Pas de la Coche
  8. S/E : mi 8.54 - alt. 4,587 ft - Ravin des Trois Fontaines car park

Notes

The estimated duration of this walk is quite broad; most walkers will take no more than 6 hours, including breaks. If the snowfields are still present, the duration is further reduced as it is possible to descend in groups.

Equipment: Except at the start of the season, when gaiters, crampons and an ice axe may be useful, no special equipment is required apart from good walking boots.

Water: Water is plentiful throughout the route, but do bring a water filter.

Dogs: Dogs are permitted and will find this route perfectly suitable.

Worth a visit

Chamois are usually visible below Le Colomb (2) and below the Brèche de Roche Fendue (3) in the early morning.

Ibex are less shy and can be found throughout the off-trail area between the Trois Laux (4) and the Clot du Ban (5).

To maximise your chances of spotting wildlife, set off at sunrise.

From the Col de la Brêche Fendue (3), it is easy to climb to the Pointe Centrale du Ferrouillet. Allow about 20 minutes to get there. From there, a magnificent view offers a panorama of Belledonne and the neighbouring mountain ranges.

Even if you don’t follow my route or the description, at the start of the season, when the snowfields are still present or water is still flowing, do take a detour to the very pretty Lacs des Trois Laux between (3) and (5) – you won’t regret it. Unfortunately, in recent years (2017–2019), heatwaves have completely dried up these lakes by the end of the season (as early as August).

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.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 27 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.9 / 5
Bibi et Gre
Bibi et Gre

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 27, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The lakeside walk is always a feast for the eyes! A superb hike.

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Jeanloic
Jeanloic

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 14, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Superb hike, beautiful and varied route, although the descent is a bit long. No technical difficulties.

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User 17876446

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 22, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

We did this hike in the middle of a heatwave, but we got cold during our lunch break at the iron mine pass. It's a good climb up to the pass. The descent to the Pas de la Coche is very long and technical, and the walk back to the car park is also long.
There are ibexes on the right as you climb up to the Col de la Brèche Fendue.

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JODIDO
JODIDO
• Edited:

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 26, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

I started the hike at 7 a.m. from the car park at Pont de la Betta. There is no point in parking at Ravin des Trois Fontaines, except to gain a little elevation, as Pont de la Betta is at 1,300 metres. What's more, you have to drive on a stony track, so I think the best place to start this hike is from Pont de la Betta.
The fog was thick and I was somewhat pessimistic that it would clear. It was a steady climb to Lac de Crop, which took 1 hour and 40 minutes. The fog began to lift and I slowly started the climb to the Col de la Mine de Fer. After 30 minutes, the clear view of Lake Crop appeared before my eyes! Before the fog quickly returned, but only above the lake. I climbed to the pass in 1 hour 30 minutes and spotted the Brèche de Roche Fendue. But looking at the description, I searched for a path by retracing my steps as indicated, and after 20 minutes, I gave up! I continued on the GR and arrived at the Brèche de Roche Fendue in 25 minutes. It would have been better if the description had simply said to stay on the GR to reach the Brèche! On the way down, I saw one of the lakes, which was dry, and I decided to continue on the GR, which I lost at some point. I passed the memorial to the crash of the York Mallory on 14 November 1944, and after descending for over an hour, I came across a couple of hikers who informed me that I was heading towards the "Rivier d'Allemond"...! I was actually at 1,700 metres, when I should have been heading for the Pas de la Coche at 2,000 metres. I cut straight across through a forest and some pastures. I found some fairly well-marked trails, and at the edge of a forest, I recognised the pylons of the high-voltage power line that passes through the Pas de la Coche. I had to go around a sheepfold because some sheepdogs came towards me, and suddenly I found myself on a marked trail. What a relief, because I had been struggling along, with no certainty about the route I had taken and no signposts! But then the fog rolled in suddenly, and I wasn't sure which way to go. fifteen minutes later, two hikers told me I was heading towards the Pas de la Coche! I got off lightly in the end! Less than 30 minutes later, I was at the Pas de la Coche and began the last part of the route back to the Pont de la Betta, via Aiguebelle...
So I ended up walking 17 km with 1,700 metres of elevation gain, for a hike that took me 9 hours and 15 minutes.

-Please note: there is a signposting error either at the Col de la Mine de Fer or at the Brèche de Roche Fendue.
At the pass, the sign said: "Pas de la Coche, 4.200 km, 3 hours", which seemed excessive to me!
Maps Me indicated 2 hours 9 minutes. After walking for 25 minutes to reach the Brèche, a yellow sign indicated: "Pas de la Coche, 3.600 km, 1 hour 35 minutes". In my opinion, the time given for the Col de la Mine de Fer is incorrect... I reported this issue to Suricate, but I have not yet received a response...

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Claire Duflos
Claire Duflos

A very beautiful hike! It was extremely busy on the weekend of 15 August... We slept at Pas de la Coche to continue on to Les 7 Laux. There must have been about thirty tents at the campsite.
We got lost due to a lack of attention when descending from the Roche Fendue breach: we ended up at the York Mallory memorial (marked "stele" on the 1:25,000 map). There is actually a well-marked yellow trail that descends from the GR to the memorial, but this trail is not on the map.

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Taca R
Taca R

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 02, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A superb outing to end the season. Admittedly, the return journey between the breach and the Pas de la Coche was a little long.
The information is accurate. At this time of year, the lakes are dry, so there's no point in taking the detour; you should stick to the GR trail.
I didn't see a soul... Just a few chamois.
Thanks for the route info.

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Charlie 38
Charlie 38

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 01, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful hike overall.
As usual, there was a superb view from the summit.

I came face to face with four ibexes that were really close by, and it was lovely to watch them from such a short distance.

I found the descent to Lac de la Cloche really long...

No special equipment is needed, it's very easy.

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canu.odile@orange.fr
canu.odile@orange.fr

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 27, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent hike on Saturday, 25 September. You cross a splendid, wild landscape, especially from the Col de la Mine de Fer, where hikers are very rare from this point onwards. The climb to the summit of the central peak of Ferrouillet is a must for the splendid panorama. It's a shame that it was a bit overcast and the sky was grey when we reached the summit. The autumn colours are starting to appear and there were still plenty of blueberries... Thank you for this route.

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M13I9C3H8
M13I9C3H8

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 30, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

the reliability of the route is all the more realistic as it follows much of the GR738 trail (crossing Belledonne).
This results in higher visitor numbers in this area.
CHAMI

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Astrid3842
Astrid3842

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 21, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike, definitely worth doing! The route is now marked all the way along. I recommend climbing up to the central peak of Ferrouillet, which is very quick to reach from Brèche de Roche Fendue and offers superb views. There are no specific markings to reach the summit, but there is a faint path to help you find your way.

Be careful, the GR passes below the 3 Laux, so if you want to see these small lakes (they weren't completely dry during this rainy summer), remember to leave the GR shortly after passing the Brèche de Roche Fendue and cross a scree slope to reach them. The advantage is that, as these lakes are not signposted, you will often find yourself alone and in peace! You then rejoin the GR by descending the scree slope towards the south.

A few ibexes seen from the Col de la Mine de Fer.

The trail is very busy until Lac de Crop, a little less so until the Brèche, and then absolutely no one until the Pas de la Coche!

There are lots of blueberries and pickers around Aiguebelle.

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carvalho joachim
carvalho joachim

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 26, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very beautiful hike, loop completed this Sunday in good weather
The circuit follows the GR 738, so it remains relatively easy and is quite busy
A few ibexes near the split in the ridge
Given the distance, it's still best suited to experienced walkers

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JCParavy
JCParavy

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 19, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Spotted a long time ago, loop completed this Sunday in good weather.
As mentioned, the description is now partly out of date due to the development of the GR738: although the terrain is still rough in places, there is a good path for the most part and, above all, effective signposting between the Col de la Mine de Fer and the Habert d'Aiguebelle. As a result, the circuit is starting to get quite busy.
However, it is still worth it for the landscapes you pass through, especially if you are lucky enough to see some ibex.
I found the Brèche de Roche Fendue-Pas de la Coche crossing quite endless, with some notable climbs that didn't seem necessary, but it's logical for a GR to choose the safest route...

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Mariejmpr
Mariejmpr

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 20, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The view from the top is magnificent. The path is narrow and hilly. The climbs are straight up the slope with no possibility of turning because it is very narrow and on the side of the slope. For experienced walkers

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fred 69
fred 69

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 28, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

No problems with orientation, sufficient signposting and easily readable terrain despite the presence of a few snowfields that still hid the markings below the iron mine pass and the breach. Quite a few people climbed up to Lake Crop in the afternoon, but the rest of the circuit was fairly quiet! There were lots of friendly ibexes that were easy to spot!

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