Lac de Belledonne (by the Chazeau hut) - Hiking

A very pretty hike through different levels of vegetation: the forest, before a stop at the Chazeau hut, then the mountain pastures and finally the scree in a purely mineral atmosphere. The lake site is magnificent, nestled beneath the peaks.

The Lac de Belledonne itinerary is one of the must-do hikes in the Eau d'Olle valley. The atmosphere is wild and the scenery magnificent, with the Belledonne range dominating the trail, including the Croix de Belledonne, and facing the Grandes Rousses and Rissiou massifs.

TECHNICAL INFORMATION:
Start: Coteyssart parking lot above Allemond.
Ascent: 916 m
Duration: 3h15 (one way)
Distance: 5.3 km
Level: difficult

MAP AND TOPO :
Carte IGN TOP 25 n°3335 ET - Bourg d'Oisans, Alpe d'Huez
OBP map no. 2 (Oisans au Bout des Pieds): trails 201, 202 and 209

ROUTE :
From Allemond, head towards l'Eglise, then the route de la Traverse to the Coteyssard parking lot.
The path starts at the bend above the track, crosses the Coteyssard stream and continues through the forest of the same name to reach the Chazeau hut. This is the summer home of transhumant shepherds. After the hut, the trail crosses alpine pastures and blueberry bushes, then climbs to the Pas du Bessey via a moraine.
The path then descends slightly, crossing a vast scree slope that bears witness to the passage of the glaciers under the Grand Charnier.
At the trail junction, turn left for the final climb to the lake. You pass 2 small lakes and a waterfall descending from the lake.
The lake nestles on this natural promontory.

THINGS TO SEE ALONG THE WAY:
Chamois can sometimes be seen in the scree area in summer.
- Chazeau forest hut with rhododendrons and blueberry bushes in abundance.
- Pas du Bessay at an altitude of 2,000 metres
- Belledonne lake nestled on a mineral plateau.