Lac du Poursollet

Lac du Poursollet is a mountain lake in the commune of Livet-et-Gavet, in the Isère department of the French Alps. Sitting at roughly 1,650 metres above sea level at the foot of the Taillefer massif, it is ringed by fir forest and known for its deep, almost emerald-green water. The lake's quiet high-altitude plateau draws both families out for a short walk and seasoned hikers using it as a base for longer mountain routes.

How do you get to the lake?

A paved departmental road, the D114B, known locally as the "Route du Poursollet," climbs to the lake from the village of La Morte. A large free car park sits right at the shore, so reaching the lake by car requires no approach walk. The road is seasonal, however: it is closed through the winter months, typically from mid-November until the end of May, so the best window for a visit runs from June to October. Walkers can also reach the lake on foot from the hamlet of Les Clots above Riouperoux, also in the commune of Livet-et-Gavet, or from the villages of Oulles and Ornon via the GR 50 long-distance trail.

What is there to do around the lake?

Lac du Poursollet is a well-known starting point for hikes across the Taillefer massif, which forms the southern extension of the Belledonne range. From the lake, the GR 50 leads up onto a plateau dotted with smaller lakes, and more determined walkers can continue to the summit of Taillefer itself, at 2,857 metres the highest point of the massif. A shorter, family-friendly option follows the trail to the neighbouring Lac Fourchu, typically covered in a few hours round trip. For those after a bigger day out, a demanding loop links the peaks of Grand Galbert and Taillefer, with roughly 2,000 metres of cumulative elevation gain.

The lake lies within a Natura 2000 protected area, set up to safeguard the fragile flora and fauna of the surrounding peat bogs and alpine meadows. As a result, a number of activities are restricted here: swimming, boating, lighting fires, camping, littering, letting dogs roam off-leash, and horse riding are all prohibited. Visitors are asked to keep to the marked paths.

When is the best time to visit?

Summer and early autumn offer the easiest access, with the road open and trails free of snow. Temperatures at this altitude stay noticeably cooler than in the valley below, making the lake a pleasant escape on hot days. Outside the main hiking season, the area also attracts snowshoers in winter, though the lakeside car park itself becomes inaccessible once the road closes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you swim in Lac du Poursollet? No. The lake falls within a Natura 2000 protected zone, so swimming, boating, and similar activities in the water are not permitted.

Is the lake reachable by car? Yes. The paved D114B road runs from La Morte directly to a free car park at the lakeshore, so no hike is required to reach the water's edge.

Is the lake accessible year-round? No. The access road closes for winter, usually from mid-November to the end of May. The recommended visiting period is June through October.

What peaks can you reach from the lake? Trails from Lac du Poursollet lead to the summit of Taillefer (2,857 m), the highest point of the massif, to Grand Galbert, and to the nearby Lac Fourchu.