Lac de Puy Vachier

Lac de Puy Vachier is a mountain lake sitting at roughly 2,382–2,383 m above sea level, tucked into a rocky cirque within Écrins National Park, above the village of La Grave in the Hautes-Alpes.

Where is the lake and how do you get there?

La Grave itself sits at 1,450 m, at the foot of La Meije (3,984 m). The easiest way up to the lake is the Téléphériques des Glaciers de la Meije cable car, which stops at an intermediate station at 2,400 m. From there, a wide, recently upgraded path reaches the lake in under an hour — easy enough for young children and even mountain bikers.

The lake can also be reached on foot from the valley floor, without the cable car. One route starts in La Grave near the arboretum and climbs through a scenic larch forest. A second, steeper and in places quite exposed trail begins at Les Fréaux.

What's the view like on the way?

The final stretch to the lake runs along a balcony trail above the Plateau d'Emparis, opening onto a panorama that takes in La Meije, the Aiguilles d'Arves, and the Trois Évêchés massif.

What lives in the lake?

The lake, set in a rocky basin, holds lake trout (cristivomer) — a salmonid species originally brought to France from Canada in the 1950s.

What lies beyond the lake?

A zigzagging path above the lake climbs to the Refuge Évariste Chancel, at 2,506 m, roughly half an hour further on. The refuge has 39 beds and sits on a terrace overlooking the Romanche valley and the village of La Grave below.

A longer loop for experienced hikers

Hikers looking for something more demanding can extend the outing into a loop that continues past the lake over the Brèche de Pacave (2,836 m) and the Peyrou d'Amont summit (2,859 m) before dropping back to La Grave. This is a considerably harder undertaking than the walk up from the cable car station and calls for solid fitness and experience in high-mountain terrain.

Frequently asked questions

How high up is Lac de Puy Vachier? The lake sits at approximately 2,382–2,383 m above sea level.

How long does it take to reach the lake? From the cable car's intermediate station (2,400 m), it's under an hour of easy walking, suitable for children.

Can you reach it without taking the cable car? Yes. On foot, the routes start either in La Grave via the arboretum and a larch forest, or from Les Fréaux on a notably steeper trail.

Is there a mountain hut near the lake? Not directly at the lake, but about 30 minutes further and higher up stands the Refuge Évariste Chancel, at 2,506 m, with 39 beds.

What fish live in the lake? Lake trout (cristivomer), a salmonid species introduced to French waters from Canada in the 1950s.

Which national park is the lake part of? Lac de Puy Vachier lies within Écrins National Park.