Orcières Lakes

Key facts

Distance: 7.1 km
Ascent: +96 m
Descent: −419 m
Estimated time: 2 hr; hiking
Difficulty: Easy; official rating
Route: Loop; back to the start

Profile and gradient

under 10%
10 to 20%
over 20%

Description

From Orcières Merlette or the summit of Le Drouvet with the hybrid lift, this trail is a great classic in the valley. Landscapes, fauna and flora - it’s all there, with a chance to enjoy a great experience and fill your head with memories. Lac des Estaris, at 2550m, is the biggest of the Orcières lakes and listed as a nature reserve. The descent then unveils the Jumeaux, Profond, Long and Sirènes lakes... Take the hybrid lift at the summit of Le Drouvet and make for Lac des Estaris (1 hr). Then continue on to the Jumeaux, Profond and Long Lakes. Carry on to the Chalet de Rocherousse. For the return, you take the hybrid lift from Rocherousse to the resort. Also possible to return on foot via Jujal, Pré La Baume, Forest des Estaris, then Orcières Merlette 1850.

Difficulty

Official rating: easy, by Parc national des Écrins.

Getting there

Start: Orcières Merlette 1850, Orcières (05).

Sources

Track: Parc national des Écrins, Licence Ouverte 2.0, Licence Ouverte 2.0 (Etalab) (destination.ecrins-parcnational.fr/trek/950762-Les-lacs-d-Orcieres). Time estimated by GPX Path with the Mac app rule, breaks not included.
Official elevation gain: 96 m, Parc national des Écrins