Labarre Lake

Description

The pastel green colour of the lake is in contrast with the dark rock around it. The immaculate white quiffs of the cotton grass complete a unique picture. The walk begins in a mosaic of old flowered prairies, scree with a few scattered trees, orange lis and asphodels. Soon there will be no more trees but lush grass through which flows the Fayolle stream. The pastures and their hut appear as the relief softens. The last rocky protrusion can be seen. They are the base of the small glacial cirque in which the lake is set itself surrounded by a short alpine lawn or gentians and small buttercups that group together in a carpet of colour. Bernard Nicollet, Warden in the Valbonnais area Go through the hamlet of Valsenestre and turn left after the chapel. Take the footpath that heads West, cross the footbridge over the Rif and continue on the overhang above the Béranger valley, towards the Combe Guyon valley. After a steep climb, cross the footbridge over the Fayolle stream and continue on the right bank. After a few bends through the grass and a long upward crossing, you will reach the Combe Guyon pastoral hut (water source). Continue up the bottom of the valley until you reach 2082 m in altitude, cross the stream and follow the large bend that will take you above the rocky ledges that circle it. You will soon arrive at the Labarre Lake. Return to Valsenestre by the same route.

Difficulty

Official rating: difficult, by Parc national des Écrins.

Before you go

• Avoid going to the Combe Guyon hut out of respect for the shepherd and his dogs.

Getting there

Start: Valsenestre, Valjouffrey (38).

Sources

• Track: Parc national des Écrins, Licence Ouverte 2.0, Licence Ouverte 2.0 (Etalab) (destination.ecrins-parcnational.fr/trek/903970-Lac-Labarre). Time estimated by GPX Path with the Mac app rule, breaks not included.
• Official elevation gain: 1,095 m, Parc national des Écrins