The Lac des Fétoules and La Lavey

Description

The ascent to the Lac des Fétoules is a beautiful trail overlooking the valley of La Lavey and offering views of the high peaks of L'Oisans. A path which has fresh, cool mountain streams along the way, and rises up into the world of alpine pastures and the Lac des Fétoules. In the deserted hamlet of La Raja, reconnect with a mountain once inhabited, its ruins and its beliefs, in the heart of a beautiful mixed forest. Above the Refuge de La Lavey, the Lac des Fétules offers lucky walkers the opportunity to take a break with a wide-open view over the entire valley and its glaciers. - Take the path at the back of the car park to drop down to the mountain stream Le Vénéon and its magnificent bridge, the Pont des Rajas. - Cross the pretty stone bridge and head uphill towards the houses of Les Rajas. Carry on uphill to reach the valley, the Vallon de la Lavey, and follow the right-hand bank of the mountain stream, and then cross to the left-hand bank over a second stone bridge. At the shepherd's hut, cross a gently sloping area of stone slabs until you come to the refuge hidden behind this small glacial rock bar. - After the refuge, cross the mountain stream La Muande and head towards the Lac des Fétoules. You wind uphill across some screes and grassy slopes until you reach the Lac des Fétoules. - You then drop relatively steadily until you come to the path leading to the refuge. - Turn right and follow the outward route in reverse to reach the car park in Champhorent.

Difficulty

Official rating: difficult, by Parc national des Écrins.

Getting there

Start: Champhorent, Saint-Christophe-en-Oisans (38).

Sources

• Track: Parc national des Écrins, Licence Ouverte 2.0, Licence Ouverte 2.0 (Etalab) (destination.ecrins-parcnational.fr/trek/958356-Le-lac-des-Fetoules-et-la-Lavey). Time estimated by GPX Path with the Mac app rule, breaks not included.
• Official elevation gain: 1,065 m, Parc national des Écrins