Tour of Lake Charpal

de fr

Hike around Lake Charpal in a completely unspoilt protected natural site. The path does not stray far from the lake, so the elevation gain is very low and the route is easy. Much of the route is through woodland, ideal in summer when it is hot.

Details

n°25053681
Creation:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.56 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 16 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 16 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,341 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,323 m
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Photos

Lake
Charpal Lake
Charpal Lake
Charpal Lake

Description of the walk

Park in the car park near the dam.

(S/E) Leave the dam on your left and take the path through the woods on the right that follows the lake shore. Join a carriage road.

(1) Turn left.

(2) Leave the road and take the path on the left.

(3) Cross the footbridge and continue straight ahead.

(4) Cross a second footbridge and follow the path that temporarily moves away from the lake, crosses the Combe Grosse and reaches a fork.

(5) Continue straight ahead, leaving the straight forest track on your right.

(6) Turn left towards the lake shore. Continue to the dam.

(7) Take the path on the dam to reach the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,325 m - Dam car park - Lac de Charpal
  2. 1 : km 0.31 - alt. 1,327 m - Road suitable for vehicles
  3. 2 : km 1.9 - alt. 1,338 m - Path on the left
  4. 3 : km 3.29 - alt. 1,326 m - Footbridge
  5. 4 : km 3.66 - alt. 1,326 m - Footbridge
  6. 5 : km 5.11 - alt. 1,328 m - Fork
  7. 6 : km 6.07 - alt. 1,332 m - Fork in the road
  8. 7 : km 8.32 - alt. 1,326 m - Dam
  9. S/E : km 8.56 - alt. 1,325 m - Dam car park

Notes

Isolated location. Please arrange transport to reach the lake. Large car park near the dam.

The route is marked with regular signs indicating the number of kilometres covered and the number of kilometres remaining. The loop can therefore be completed in either direction.

Worth a visit

A few kilometres away by car, you can visit the village of Habitarelle and the tomb of Duguesclin, the English Tower and the statue of Duguesclin in Chateauneuf-de-Randon.

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 23 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
5 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
pascal114mxm
pascal114mxm

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 23, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

An easy walk with well-marked trails.
There’s still quite a bit of snow and it’s muddy in places, but that doesn’t matter at all...

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François59
François59

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 11, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful route around Lake Charpal with no particular difficulties. Beautiful views halfway along the route at the end of the lake

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ehu
ehu

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 25, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely walk to discover this lake. We did the hike in good weather with magnificent scenery. Easy as there is no elevation gain.

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martinelqe
martinelqe

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 08, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

no difficulties on this course during the summer, but don't forget your hats as there is little shade.

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Dedette90
Dedette90

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 27, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Early morning hike accompanied by birdsong.
A peaceful walk with no difficulties.

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Arzaela
Arzaela

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 23, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

In mid-June, there was hardly anyone there. Almost the entire northern part is very shaded and there is no view of the lake, which is the complete opposite of the southern shore.

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marquounet
marquounet

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 12, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Perfect

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ribri
ribri

Hello, the hike has been postponed until later.

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b-attitude11
b-attitude11

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

Very beautiful hikes. Varied landscapes and fun signs along the route. Numerous benches and picnic tables along the path or nestled high up: impressive view from the dam. The wooden signposts say 8.7 kilometres, not 8.56 kilometres as stated in the guide. Be careful of the mossy pontoons, which are slippery in wet weather.

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ribri
ribri

Hello, the lake tour has been postponed due to health reasons.

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BERNARD 1
BERNARD 1

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 02, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

it's great to do with the family or on your own.

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Funny bear
Funny bear

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 13, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hello, this is a pleasant hike with no particular difficulties. Bring water, a hat, and sunscreen, and of course, good hiking boots (you will be walking through a bog)
Best regards

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BéCé
BéCé

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 08, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Do not go around the lake starting with the lake on your right, despite the signs pointing in both directions.
At a crossroads, a sign saying "private road" prompted us not to take this route, which meant we had to go back.
We quickly turned around and continued our walk
It does seem safer to start with the lake on your left!
Very nice route

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alain94visorando
alain94visorando

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 31, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Very pretty views of the lake

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ajmart
ajmart

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 16, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

This lake is a beautiful discovery. It is peaceful (perhaps due to the rainy and cold weather for mid-June) and surrounded by unspoilt nature.
No problems with signposting.

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