Combeynot Lake
Le Monêtier-les-Bains

Combeynot Lake

Fauna
Lake and glacier
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A blue veil has been lost in this mineral world.You will not find an  oasis in this desert of stones but a deep lake of freezing water. 

"In the middle of the summer, the valley exposed to the North can be very hot. That’s why I like to go out at sunrise in order to make the most of the cool early morning. just like the chamois who make the most of this calm moment in order to graze.. At 10 o’clock, most of them are sleeping and immobile, dozing and ruminating,you could almost say they are invisible!” 

Cyril Coursier, heritage technician in Briançonnais 

Description

The unique marked trail starts from the carpark at the edge of  Guisane. It goes up on the right bank, with a regular ascent to Pré Chausson then through  Fontenil valley.  After a slightly more difficult section, the lake is hiding under an overhang in the bottom of the valley. Return using the same itinerary in the opposite direction. 

  • Departure : Les Boussardes
  • Towns crossed : Le Monêtier-les-Bains

6 points of interest

  • Architecture

    Boussardes Hamlet

    The habitat of Guisane valley is characterized by the small hamlets with character (Le Lauzet, Le Casset, etc.). Here, the small hamlet of Boussardes charms visitors with its houses with typical architecture squeezed against one another.

  • Flora

    Hayfields

    Around Boussardes hamlet, the hayfields are maintained, by the agricultors, sheltering in the summer exceptional biodiversity: Whinchat, red backed shrikes, Mountain Apollo butterflies.

  • Flora

    Larch

    The larch is the only European resinous tree to lose its needles in winter. Its wood is red brown. In the landscape, its colours are striking going from tender green in the Springtime to the colours of Autumn. Its pink flowers seduce the naturalists and the photographers in Springtime. If it puts up with harsh mountain conditions the larch does not tolerate competition from other trees. Just above Boussardes hamlet you can observe the installation of the forest in the ancient pastures and hayfields.

  • Fauna

    Chamois

    Fontenil valley represents a quiet territory for the chamois. Situated in the heart of the national park outside the pastoral areas, this itinerary is only used by hikers. The National Parc national carries out annual health monitoring on the chamois population.

  • Panorama

    View of the Briançonnais

    Arriving at Combeynot lake is a reward for the eyes. Facing you is, the Tête du Vallon (3059 m) which dominates the lake. Turn around and make the most of the view of the Briançonnais, with Pic de Rochebrune as a backdrop.

  • Lake

    Combeynot Lake

    Combeynot Lake is a glacial lake, metres deep, behind a cross cliff. Sometimes the water disappears in Autumn, like in 1976, and more regularly in these last few years. These waters are unusual in that they do not shelter any aquatic species. What a hostile environment!

Forecast

Altimetric profile

Sensitive areas

Along your trek, you will go through sensitive areas related to the presence of a specific species or environment. In these areas, an appropriate behaviour allows to contribute to their preservation. For detailed information, specific forms are accessible for each area.

Golden eagle

Impacted practices:
Aerial, , Vertical
Sensitivity periods:
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAug
Contact:
Parc National des Écrins
Julien Charron
julien.charron@ecrins-parcnational.fr
Find out more

Recommandations

No water on this path, take 2 litres per person. The itinerary is indicated on the  signposts marked  « porte du Parc national » which can be found near the carpark. 

Herd protection dogs

In mountain pastures, protection dogs are there to protect the herds from predators (wolves, etc.).

When I hike I adapt my behavior by going around the herd and pausing for the dog to identify me.

Find out more about the actions to adopt with the article "Protection dogs: a context and actions to adopt".
Tell us about your meeting by answering this survey.
Is in the midst of the park
The national park is an unrestricted natural area but subjected to regulations which must be known by all visitors.

Information desks

Information center "le Casset" (summer only)

Le Casset, 05220 Le Monêtier-les-bains

http://www.ecrins-parcnational.fr/brianconnais@ecrins-parcnational.fr04 92 24 53 27

At the entrance of the hamlet of "le Casset" and near the core zone of the Park, a stop before or after your walk... Projections, documentation, books of the Park. Free admission. All animations of the Park are free unless otherwise stated.

Find out more

Transport

Bus Grenoble - Briançon : stop at Lauzet (LER 35).

Access and parking

Leave the D1091 down from Lauzet hamlet, direction les Boussardes. 

Parking :

Carpark beside the Guisane, Boussardes hamlet.

Source

Parc national des Ecrinshttps://www.ecrins-parcnational.fr

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