Lac du Pontet

Lac du Pontet is a small alpine lake in the commune of Villar-d'Arêne, in the Hautes-Alpes department of France, right on the doorstep of Écrins National Park. Sitting at roughly 1,982 metres above sea level on a sunny stretch of pasture above the Romanche valley, just a few kilometres from La Grave, it is one of those Alpine spots that pairs an easy walk with a front-row view of one of France's most famous peaks, La Meije.

Where exactly is the lake?

The lake lies above the hamlet of Les Cours, part of Villar-d'Arêne, on the slope facing the Écrins massif across the Romanche valley. That position turns the shoreline into a natural viewpoint, opening onto the peaks of the national park — from the Combeynot range to Les Agneaux and La Meije itself.

How do you get there?

Access starts on the D1091, the road linking Grenoble and Briançon. At Villar-d'Arêne, heading toward the Col du Lautaret, a turn onto the D307 leads to the hamlet of Les Cours. A small car park there marks the start of the walk: a short, easy path that takes about twenty minutes to reach the lake. Starting from the centre of Villar-d'Arêne instead means roughly an hour and a half on foot, while from Les Cours itself the lake is around 45 minutes away. The route needs no mountaineering experience and works well for families with children.

What is there to see along the way?

The path crosses sunny alpine pastures where marmots are a common sight in summer, and edelweiss can sometimes be spotted in season. The lake's surface itself shifts in colour with the light, from turquoise to deep blue, mirroring the surrounding peaks.

When is the best time to visit?

The lake is easiest to reach between June and September, once the access road and paths are clear of snow. In winter the road up to the Les Cours car park is not cleared, so the outing has to start on foot or on snowshoes from the centre of Villar-d'Arêne — it is also a well-known destination for ski touring. In summer the area draws hikers, photographers, anglers, and people looking for a spot to camp overnight.

FAQ

How high up is Lac du Pontet? The lake sits at an altitude of roughly 1,982 metres.

How long does the hike take? From the car park at the Les Cours hamlet, it takes about 20 minutes. Starting from the centre of Villar-d'Arêne takes around 1.5 hours, and from Les Cours itself about 45 minutes.

Is the walk suitable for children? Yes, the stretch from the car park is short and easy, which makes the lake a popular family outing.

What can you see from the lake? The shoreline looks straight onto the Écrins massif, including the Combeynot range, Les Agneaux, and the unmistakable profile of La Meije above the Romanche valley.

Can you drive all the way to the lake? No — cars can only reach the small car park at Les Cours; the rest of the way is on foot.

Is the lake accessible in winter? The access road is not cleared of snow, so winter visits start from the centre of Villar-d'Arêne, usually on snowshoes or by ski touring.

Is there wildlife around the lake? Yes, marmots are frequently seen on the surrounding meadows, and edelweiss flowers in season.