Lac des Rouites

Lac des Rouites is a small mountain lake in the commune of Ceillac, within the Parc Naturel Régional du Queyras in the Hautes-Alpes department of France. Sitting at roughly 2,400 meters above sea level, it rests below the Crête des Veyres ridge in a rugged, mineral landscape of scree, glacial moraine, and limestone outcrops — considerably quieter than the better-known lakes nearby.

Where is the lake located?

The lake lies in the upper Mélezet valley, above the stream's left bank, about 10 kilometers south of central Ceillac. Its coordinates are approximately 44.627 N, 6.785 E. Lac Miroir, a neighboring lake at around 2,215 meters, sits some 180 meters lower — Rouites occupies a higher, wilder pocket of the same valley system.

What does the setting look like?

Ruins of old alpine shepherd huts stand near the shore, remnants of pastoral use of these high meadows. Surrounding peaks include Pointe de la Saume (3,043 m), Col de la Collette Verte (2,942 m), and Pic des Heuvières. The outflow from the lake eventually feeds the Cascade de la Pisse waterfall further downhill. From the water's edge, hikers get open views over the Ceillac valley and toward Col Girardin.

How do you reach Lac des Rouites?

Most hikers start from the upper lift station near Lac Sainte-Anne, following yellow PR waymarks and cairns across scree slopes and grassy patches; this approach takes about an hour. The path is faint in places, but markers appear roughly every 10 meters, which keeps navigation manageable. A second option climbs up via Lac Miroir, though this route is steeper and less recommended. Starting instead from the Pied du Mélezet parking area (1,692 m), the full ascent to the lake takes about 2 hours and 15 minutes at a normal pace.

Is the hike difficult?

The overall grading is moderate, with the scree section above Lac Sainte-Anne being the most demanding stretch. The lower valley trail up to the first lakes is considered fairly easy, but the final leg to Rouites sees far less foot traffic than the paths to Lac Sainte-Anne or Lac Miroir, and can feel more remote as a result.

Can it be combined with other lakes?

Yes — Lac des Rouites is the third stop on the classic "three lakes of Ceillac" circuit, which also takes in Lac Sainte-Anne and Lac Miroir. The full loop covers about 13 kilometers with roughly 850 meters of elevation gain, making it a full-day outing for hikers in good condition.

FAQ

How high up is Lac des Rouites? Sources place it between 2,383 and 2,413 meters, so figure on roughly 2,400 meters above sea level.

Is the lake hard to find? It's the least visited of Ceillac's three main lakes, and the trail can be indistinct — though frequent yellow waymarks make it manageable for prepared hikers.

How long does the hike take? About one hour from the Lac Sainte-Anne area, or roughly 2 hours 15 minutes starting from the Pied du Mélezet parking lot.

Which map should I bring? The IGN Top 25 sheet 3537ET covers this part of the Queyras.

Is it worth pairing with a longer hike? Yes — many hikers combine it with Lac Sainte-Anne and Lac Miroir on a roughly 13-kilometer loop.