Lac Lérié

Lac Lérié is a small mountain lake set on the Plateau d'Emparis, in the municipality of La Grave in the Hautes-Alpes department, right in the heart of the Oisans massif. Sitting at roughly 2375 metres above sea level on the right-hand side of the Romanche valley, it's one of the most visited lakes in this corner of the French Alps.

Where exactly is the lake?

Lac Lérié sits close to a second, slightly smaller lake, Lac Noir, and to a cluster of small pools known as the Lacs Cristallins, together forming a well-loved hiking objective on the Emparis plateau. The plateau itself unfolds at around 2000 metres, west of the village of La Grave, and works as a natural balcony above the Romanche valley below.

What can you see from the lakeshore?

The main draw of Lac Lérié is the view: straight across to the north face of la Meije and the neighbouring Râteau (3809 m), two of the most recognisable summits in the Oisans massif. On a clear day you can also make out the Girose glacier, reachable from La Grave by cable car. The lake's calm, shallow water often mirrors the surrounding peaks, which is why it's such a popular stop for photographs along the trail.

How do you get to Lac Lérié?

Several trails lead up to the Emparis plateau and its lakes, most commonly starting from the village of Le Chazelet or from the Rif Tort trailhead west of La Grave. Part of the route follows a section of the GR54, the long-distance path that loops around the entire Ecrins massif. For most visitors, Lac Lérié makes a moderate day hike, though a longer two-day loop linking it with Lac Noir, with an overnight bivouac in between, is just as popular.

What should you know before setting out?

The Plateau d'Emparis falls within the Natura 2000 network, which brings a few specific rules: bivouacking is only tolerated for a single night, between 7pm and 9am, dogs must stay on a lead, and campfires are banned outright. The best window for a visit runs from June to October — earlier in the season, the higher parts of the plateau can still be under snow. In summer the meadows around the lake fill with blue gentians and alpine edelweiss, and marmots are a common sight among the surrounding rocks.

Why is it worth the walk?

Lac Lérié brings together everything hikers look for in the Alps: a relatively easy approach, wide open plateau scenery, and a front-row view of one of the most striking massifs in the French Alps. It also makes a solid base for anyone planning a longer stay around La Grave, a village best known for its glacier ski area and for the climbing reputation of la Meije itself.

Frequently asked questions

How high up is Lac Lérié? The lake sits at around 2375 metres above sea level, on the Plateau d'Emparis.

Which mountains can you see from the lake? From the shore of Lac Lérié you get a view of the north face of la Meije and the Râteau (3809 m), and on clear days the Girose glacier as well.

What's the best starting point for the hike? Most hikers set off from Le Chazelet or the Rif Tort trailhead, both west of La Grave.

When is the best time to visit? June through October, once the trails across the high plateau are clear of snow.