Tour of Lake Charpal

Tour of Lake Charpal in Lozère. An easy route on a relatively flat path, despite being at an altitude of over 1,300 metres. Beautiful views of the lake along the entire route, alternating between forest, meadows and peat bogs.

Details

75282761
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.17 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 43 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 40 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,344 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,314 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in one of the car parks near the dam: here, the smaller of the two. The route is clearly marked. In our case, it is taken in the opposite direction to the one suggested.

(S/E) Return to the access road to the car park, cross the bridge over the lake spillway and reach another small car park. Continue for about 50 metres along the dam to enjoy the view.

(1) Retrace your steps and take the path on the right that runs along the lake shore.

(2) Ignore the straight forest track on the left and continue straight ahead to reach the halfway point: a small overhang overlooking the lake with a shaded picnic table.

(3) Continue along the path, take the footbridge over a tributary stream and reach the junction with a track.

(4) Turn right, walk about a hundred metres, then leave the track temporarily on the right to rejoin it further on. Continue along the edge of the lake. 

(5) Leave the track to get closer to the banks, reach the first car park and continue to the next one, where you can park (S/E). 

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,324 m - Car park
  2. 1 : km 0.53 - alt. 1,330 m - Dam
  3. 2 : km 3.76 - alt. 1,330 m - Track junction
  4. 3 : km 5.4 - alt. 1,327 m - Picnic table with a view of the lake.
  5. 4 : km 6.98 - alt. 1,338 m - Track junction
  6. 5 : km 8.68 - alt. 1,327 m - Leave the track on the right.
  7. S/E : km 9.17 - alt. 1,324 m - Car park

Notes

Several picnic tables and benches along the way.

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 5 reviews

Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
JoMarch
JoMarch

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 20, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A popular route, but in the opposite direction, as most people follow the route indicated from the car park.
Thanks to Visorando, we were able to enjoy a peaceful walk.
The route is relatively flat and easy, with picnic tables dotted here and there.
We really enjoyed seeing this lake from different viewpoints

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santon30
santon30
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 17, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Personally, I didn't really see the point of doing this loop "backwards"; you come across a lot of people and the end isn't the most pleasant part. But that said, it's a nice, easy walk.

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niourk
niourk

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

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

A very pleasant hike with magnificent views from the summit of Le Truc. We did the circuit in reverse, the climb is very gradual but it's true that between 800 metres and the summit the path is difficult to find due to roadworks, but the guidebook is very helpful.

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p.lambrechts
p.lambrechts

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 02, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Long live Lozère

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Sylvie Jz
Sylvie Jz

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 23, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

No difficulty at all, some places remind me of Canadian landscapes. If possible, avoid the summer months when it gets very busy, or go early in the morning. The car park isn't very big, especially as lots of motorhomes park there, even though there is a specific car park a few hundred metres further down. I also prefer to do this route in the direction described here. But unfortunately, I came across a few grumpy people who complained because I wasn't walking in the same direction!!!

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