Tour of Lake Issarlès

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Tour of Lake Issarlès, with its clear waters, in the ancient crater of a volcano.

Details

n°360400
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 3.66 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 6 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 6 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,011 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 999 m
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Photos

View of the lake
Issarlès
Issarlès
short hike on an autumn day

Description of the walk

Departure from the beach car park, opposite the retirement home.

(S/E) Go down the few steps and turn right (south) onto the yellow and white marked trail. Walk along the lake on your left until you reach the small road.

(1) Continue along the road (little traffic).

(2) At the end of the road, turn left and continue along the lake.
N.B. This section is difficult as it involves walking between rocks. If you wish to avoid this section, turn right and walk through the campsite to the next point.

(3) After the campsite, follow a fairly flat path to the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,005 m - Beach car park
  2. 1 : km 1.56 - alt. 1,010 m - Road
  3. 2 : km 1.96 - alt. 1,009 m - Path on the left
  4. 3 : km 2.74 - alt. 1,002 m - End of the rocks
  5. S/E : km 3.66 - alt. 1,005 m - Beach car park

Notes

Yellow and white markings.
Wear sturdy shoes and bring walking sticks as there is a passage between the rocks from (2) to (3).
Toilets at the beach. Campsite opposite the beach.

Worth a visit

Cave dwellings on the route between (3) and (S/E).

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 18 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.9 / 5
Route interest
4.2 / 5
User 4865222

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 30, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk along a mostly shaded, pleasant and easy trail.
The rocky section is considered "dangerous" but can be navigated without difficulty (perhaps best avoided with very young children) and is enjoyable. An alternative route is available for those who wish to avoid this section of the path.
Well worth discovering.

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courjus52
courjus52

Thank you, Denis. So we'll leave it as it is, and hikers can take a detour if necessary.
Kind regards.

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DenisV26740
DenisV26740

Having completed the circuit on 29 April 2025, I believe that high water levels are the cause of the problems on the path closest to the water, but many of the tracks slightly further away are very passable, requiring a few climbs and descents that are a little more hazardous in wet weather. I do not see the need to create a new route.

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courjus52
courjus52

Hello, it would be helpful to know which section is impassable and the reason why, whether it is due to high water or because the trail is permanently closed, as the route can be changed if necessary. Thank you in advance.
Kind regards.

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C et C
C et C

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 05, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

It was impossible to complete the tour of the lake because part of the trail was closed due to impassability.

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DenisV26740
DenisV26740

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 29, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Did the route today, 29 April, lake in high water, lots of tree roots on the surface, not easy to walk on, quite a few detours on the slopes because of the water level, but a quick and enjoyable route.

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rando2259
rando2259

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 25, 2024
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

In the middle of November. Everything is closed near the lake. No one around.
Very pleasant

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JuliaM
JuliaM

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 09, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely walk around the lake. The path is sandy in places, then rocky (easy, there are ropes to help you), then root-covered. Beautiful views. Most of it is in the shade, which is pleasant when it's hot. The path is fairly comfortable and easy.

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Try
Try

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 03, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A wonderful family walk that takes about an hour around a beautiful lake (there are also cave dwellings at the end of the walk)

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Jean-Louis pagès
Jean-Louis pagès

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 15, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The walk around Lake Issarlès is very easy and practically flat, as it is possible to avoid the climb by following the wooden path that passes in front of the power station. Otherwise, there is a climb if you follow the path that avoids a section considered dangerous. There were flowers on the benches (after the power station) and tables. It is a shaded family walk on a good path.

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philippe.schotte
philippe.schotte

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 18, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

A circuit to do out of season, pleasant but nothing more.

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fpansier
fpansier

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 11, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A leisurely stroll around the lake

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ericdu84
ericdu84

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

No difficulty for this very pleasant tour of the lake.

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PatPros
PatPros

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 21, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Very easy walk. Surprising cave dwellings.

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mike3342
mike3342

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 09, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant walk along the lake shore in a wooded area. The rocky section is not so long or difficult that you need to bypass it by going via the campsite. That would be a shame, as you would miss out on the proximity to the lake and the beautiful views.

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