Lac de la Petite Cayolle

Lac de la Petite Cayolle is a small glacial lake sitting at roughly 2,590 m altitude inside Mercantour National Park, in the commune of Allos (Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur). The lake rests at the foot of the Garrets summit, just below the Col de la Petite Cayolle (2,639 m) — a separate pass from the better-known Col de la Cayolle road pass nearby, which serves as one of the common starting points for the hike.

Where exactly is the lake?

Lac de la Petite Cayolle lies at the head of the upper Verdon valley, surrounded by the bare, rocky terrain typical of the Mercantour massif. Its closest neighbour is Lac des Garrets, at 2,621 m, reached along the same panoramic ridge. From the trail near the pass, hikers also get a clear view down toward Lac d'Allos in the valley below.

How do you get to the lake?

The most common approach starts from the car park at Maison Forestière du Laus, at around 2,110 m. The full loop covers about 11 km, with roughly 750 m of elevation gain, and takes an average hiker close to 5 hours. The route passes the old forest house, turns toward the Col de la Petite Cayolle, crosses the Pas du Lausson (2,602 m), then drops to the Petite Cayolle and Garrets lakes before closing the loop back at the car park.

A second option starts from the Col de la Cayolle itself. From there the trail climbs directly to the Col de la Petite Cayolle, follows a ridge with views over Lac d'Allos, passes Lac de la Petite Cayolle, and continues on to Lac des Garrets. This version lets hikers combine both passes in a single outing.

When is the best time to go?

The hiking season runs roughly from April to September. Snow patches can linger around the Col de la Petite Cayolle until mid-July in some years, which is worth factoring into early-season plans. The Maison Forestière du Laus car park is typically closed from October to May, depending on conditions. Dogs are not allowed on this trail, in line with the rules that apply inside the park's core protected zone.

What else is worth knowing about the area?

Like most high-altitude lakes in this part of the Mercantour, Lac de la Petite Cayolle formed through glacial activity. The stretch of ridge between the Col de la Cayolle and the Col de la Petite Cayolle, together with the lakes scattered along it, is one of the more recognisable hiking sectors in the western part of the park, combining views over the Verdon valley with the Garrets massif.

FAQ

How high up is Lac de la Petite Cayolle? The lake sits at about 2,590 m, just below the Col de la Petite Cayolle (2,639 m).

Where's the best place to start the hike? Most hikers start from the Maison Forestière du Laus car park; starting from the Col de la Cayolle is a common alternative.

How long does the hike take? The loop from Maison Forestière du Laus is about 11 km and takes around 5 hours for an average hiker.

Is the trail difficult? It's rated as moderate, with about 750 m of elevation gain and some rocky sections near the pass.

Can I bring my dog? No — dogs are not permitted in this part of Mercantour National Park.

Are there other lakes nearby worth seeing? Yes, Lac des Garrets (2,621 m) sits right alongside it, and the trail also offers views down to Lac d'Allos in the valley below.