Lac des Pisses
Key facts
- Distance
- 13.7 km
- Ascent
- +1,000 m
- Descent
- −977 m
- Estimated time
- 5 hr 45
- hiking
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- official rating
- Route
- Out and back
- same way back
Profile and gradient
- under 10%
- 10 to 20%
- over 20%
Gradient along the route: 3.4 km under 10%, 8.2 km at 10 to 20% and 2.1 km over 20%. Elevation from 1,533 m to 2,502 m over 13.7 km.
Description
Shaped by pastoral activity, the Pisses valley has for generations been the summer residence of ewes and their shepherds. This winding trail overlooks the Prapic valley and runs as far as Lac des Pisses, in a rocky high-altitude atmosphere. It crosses several torrents and is a chance to enjoy the refreshing waterfalls. From Place de Prapic, head up towards the stopover gîte, then turn left. A wide path crosses the fileds, then goes up the Blaisil valley. You pass by the Tombeau du Poète path. At the second crossroads, continue along the route to the right as far as Lac des Pisses. You follow the same route on the way back.
Difficulty
Official rating: moderate, by Parc national des Écrins.
Getting there
Start: Prapic, Orcières, Orcières (05).
Sources
- Track: Parc national des Écrins, Licence Ouverte 2.0, Licence Ouverte 2.0 (Etalab) (destination.ecrins-parcnational.fr/trek/904201-Le-lac-des-Pisses). Time estimated by GPX Path with the Mac app rule, breaks not included.
- Official elevation gain: 1,000 m, Parc national des Écrins
Nearby tracks

© OpenStreetMap, SRTM · OpenTopoMap (CC-BY-SA)The Saut du Laire
Écrins, Orcières (05) · Out and backOfficial rating by Parc national des Écrins
© OpenStreetMap, SRTM · OpenTopoMap (CC-BY-SA)The Poet’s tomb
Écrins, Orcières (05) · Out and backOfficial rating by Parc national des Écrins
© OpenStreetMap, SRTM · OpenTopoMap (CC-BY-SA)Tour du Grand Pinier
Écrins, Orcières (05) · Point to pointOfficial rating by Parc national des Écrins
© OpenStreetMap, SRTM · OpenTopoMap (CC-BY-SA)Le Saut du Laire via le Basset
Écrins, Orcières (05) · LoopOfficial rating by Parc national des Écrins
© OpenStreetMap, SRTM · OpenTopoMap (CC-BY-SA)Col des Terres Blanches from Prapic
Écrins, Orcières (05) · Out and backOfficial rating by Parc national des Écrins
© OpenStreetMap, SRTM · OpenTopoMap (CC-BY-SA)From the Drouvet summit to Prapic
Écrins, Orcières (05) · Point to pointOfficial rating by Parc national des Écrins
