Lac des Bèches

Lac des Bèches is a small glacial lake sitting at roughly 2,400 m of altitude in the commune of Saint-Christophe-en-Oisans, deep in the Écrins massif (Isère, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes). Tucked into the Vallon de la Lavey, it lies within the core zone of the Écrins National Park and ranks among the more demanding but rewarding hiking destinations of the Oisans region.

Where exactly is the lake?

The lake sits in high alpine terrain of rock and short mountain grass, ringed by peaks typical of this part of the Écrins. The Aiguille des Arias rises directly above the water, while the surrounding panorama stretches toward the Aiguille de l'Olan, the Tête des Fétoules, and further off toward the Aiguille du Plat de la Selle and the Dibona. Fed by snowmelt and glacial runoff, the water carries the turquoise tint typical of high-mountain lakes in the Alps.

How do you get to Lac des Bèches?

Most hikers start from the Champhorent car park, reached by road from Saint-Christophe-en-Oisans in the direction of La Bérarde, via Bourg d'Oisans and Venosc. From there, the trail follows the Muande valley up to the Refuge de la Lavey before a steep final climb to the lake itself — more than half of the total elevation gain is packed into the last stretch. The full round trip from the car park covers about 16 km and roughly 1,200 m of elevation gain, typically taking 6 to 7 hours. Hikers who overnight at the Refuge de la Lavey have a much shorter option: the climb from the refuge to the lake and back takes around 2 to 3 hours.

La Bérarde, the last hamlet up the valley, is served in summer by free shuttle buses (advance booking required), which makes reaching the trailhead area possible without a car.

How difficult is the trail, and who is it for?

The hike is generally rated moderate to difficult, mainly because of its length, elevation gain, and the steep final approach. There's no technical climbing involved on dry ground, but a solid level of fitness and proper trekking footwear are essential. Along the way, marmots and chamois are commonly spotted on the alpine meadows and rocky slopes that define this stretch of the Écrins.

Is this a protected area?

Yes. The entire route runs through the Écrins National Park, one of France's largest national parks. The boundary of the park's core zone is marked with distinctive blue-white-red flags, and visitors need to respect the rules that apply there — no camping outside designated spots, no picking plants, and staying on marked paths.

When is the best time to go?

Given the altitude, the trail is realistically open from around June/July through September; outside that window, snow patches can linger, especially on the steep final climb near the lake. It's worth checking current conditions with the Écrins National Park office or at the Refuge de la Lavey before setting out.

FAQ

How high up is Lac des Bèches? The lake sits at roughly 2,400 m of altitude, in the Vallon de la Lavey.

How long does the hike take? From the Champhorent car park, the round trip takes 6 to 7 hours (about 16 km, 1,200 m of elevation gain). From the Refuge de la Lavey, the climb to the lake and back is shorter, around 2 to 3 hours.

Is the trail difficult? It's long and requires good fitness, with a steep section just before the lake, but there's no technical difficulty on dry terrain.

Can you reach the area without a car? Yes — in summer, free shuttle buses run to La Bérarde, though advance booking is required.

Is the lake inside a national park? Yes, the whole route runs through the Écrins National Park, including its core zone marked by blue-white-red flags.