Lac de la Muande

Lac de la Muande is a high-mountain lake sitting at about 2,380 m altitude in the Vallon de la Lavey, a side valley opening onto the Vénéon valley, within the commune of Saint-Christophe-en-Oisans (Isère). It lies inside the Écrins National Park, in the Écrins massif, and is one of three lakes in this same valley alongside Lac des Rouies and Lac des Bèches — three separate, independent bodies of water.

How did the lake form?

Lac de la Muande is a relatively young lake, born from the retreat of the glacier feeding the valley, known as the Glacier de la Muande (or Glacier du Fond). Because of this recent origin, the lake is still evolving: its shorelines are unstable, and in the not-too-distant past glacier ice was in direct contact with the water. The ground around the lake can therefore be loose scree or slippery moraine, particularly right at the water's edge.

How big is the lake?

The lake measures roughly 463 by 216 metres, covering an area of about 7 hectares. That makes it one of the larger glacial lakes in this part of the Écrins massif, though its exact shape and size can keep shifting as the surrounding ice continues to melt and moraine material is deposited.

How do you get to Lac de la Muande?

The usual starting point is Champhorent, reached via the D530 road from Bourg-d'Oisans through La Bérarde and Saint-Christophe-en-Oisans, where an organised parking area is available. From there, the trail follows the long Muande valley alongside the Muande stream — the elevation gain is gentle, but the distance is substantial, and most of the route is well marked. The final stretch before the lake itself is trickier: there is no marked path, and the terrain turns into rocky scree or a steep, slippery moraine, partly indicated by cairns.

Along the way, the trail passes the Refuge de la Lavey (1,797 m), which makes it possible to split the hike over two days. It also serves as a convenient base for reaching the valley's other lakes — Lac des Rouies and Lac des Bèches — though each requires its own separate approach and lies in a different part of the valley.

Is the hike difficult?

The valley approach up to the refuge is considered technically easy despite its length. The difficulty increases only on the last section to the lake, where there is no clear trail and the ground can be unstable — extra caution is advised, especially after rain or on wet rock.

What should you know before you go?

The lake sits in a remote, high-altitude setting typical of the Écrins massif, with no facilities right at the shore. Allow plenty of time given the length of the approach, and bring footwear suited to the final unmarked, uneven stretch.

FAQ

How high up is Lac de la Muande? The lake sits at around 2,380 m altitude, in the Vallon de la Lavey.

How did this lake form? It formed as the glacier feeding the valley (Glacier de la Muande / Glacier du Fond) retreated, which is why it is still changing and its banks remain unstable.

Is Lac de la Muande the same as Lac des Rouies? No. They are two separate lakes in the same Lavey valley, together with a third one, Lac des Bèches — each reached by its own approach.

Where do you start the hike? From the parking area at Champhorent, reached via the D530 road from Bourg-d'Oisans through La Bérarde and Saint-Christophe-en-Oisans.

Can you break the hike over two days? Yes, the Refuge de la Lavey (1,797 m) lies along the route and allows the trip to be split into two days.