RANDONNEED | The Lake of the Cords tour from the Fonts de Cervières.

ESSENTIAL INFORMATION FROM RANDONNEE:

5am (loop)

10kms

+650m of elevation

→ DISTANCE - 10km loop.
→ DURATION Five o'clock.
→ DENIVED 650m.
→ DEPARTURE POINT : Parking Strings 2.040m altitude.
→ DIRECTED POINT : Lac des Cordes, 2.446m.
→ ROAD ACCESSES : Just after the town of Briançon, take the direction of the village of Cervières, then once in the village take the small road D89T which leads directly to the hamlet of the Fonts de Cervières. Attention this mountain road is narrow on some passages.
→ SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS None, but learn about the road conditions especially in winter. inforoute05

DESCRIPTION OF The string lake radon:

> From the hamlet of the Fonts de Cervières, a loop can be reached in both directions.

Once parked near the refuge of the Fonts de Cervières (the beer after hiking is very precise!), two possibilities offer you:

• The meaning « classic » : Take the torrent of the Cerveyrette in the direction of the descent to begin in a very pleasant woody part but with a more marked elevation over the first kilometers.
• The meaning « reverse » : Cross the hamlet to borrow the GR58 and start with a discovery valley whose ascent is gradually to the Pass des Marsailles (top).

For our part, we preferred to take the opposite direction to enjoy the beautiful morning lights and end in the afternoon in the shade of the forest. From the hamlet, the well-conceived path climbs gently to reach a valley in which the torrent of the Cerveyrette sébat. Follow the wooden panels indicating the pass and the lake. When the valley expands, turn to the right to follow the path that goes towards a small waterfall and rises up towards the pass.

> From the valley to the pass of the Marsailles.

The climb to the Pass des Marsailles (2,600m) is very well indicated and does not represent any difficulty. Gradually the trail increases in altitude and passes from flowery areas to a more rocky environment. We are close to the sharp peaks which, not far from there, dominate the lunar middle of the Izoard Pass. Arriving at the big kairn that marks the pass of the Marsailles: from this promontory the view of the lake as well as the Italian peaks, in the distance, is breathtaking.

> From the Pass des Marsailles to Lake Les Cordes

The route is obvious to Lake Cordes below. The trail descends easily to enjoy a well-deserved break at the waterfront. If you're planning a picnic, before you start the farm Brunet in the village of Cervières (or at their chalet des Chalps in summer) to supply cheese: you will not be disappointed, word of connoisseurs.

> Bonus : A detour to the peak of Vallon Crouzet (in yellow on our map).

If the pass des Marsailles (2,600m) represents the highest point of the classic loop, it is possible to add a bit of altitude to this hike through the aerial ridges of the Vallon Crouzet peak. All you have to do is turn right when you arrive at the pass des Marsailles, before you go down to Lake Cordes. Then climb in lace to the ridge line leading to the Pic. Be careful, it climbs hard! But the view of the Corde Lake and the Fonts de Cervières Valley is simply sublime.

Be careful, however, not to approach too close to the emptiness, the trail along the peak of Vallon Crouzet consists of more or less friable rocks and some parts can easily fall off.

> Descent from Lake Cordes.

Once you have taken advantage of the setting, you only have to go down to the Fonts de Cervières (4kms) by following the lake and following the path that descends straight into the valley. The return takes place in a splendid setting between the softness of the larch forests and the incessant work of the Cerveyrette torrent, with a small passage « delicate » in a rocky chimney where a cable will allow you to cross this obstacle without great difficulty.

The good idea: Be guided!
For us, this was the first time on a trail of the Alps. So, even if this hike could be done alone, we wanted to learn a little more about the surrounding environment. For if the job of a guide is to accompany you while ensuring your safety in the mountains, we must not forget that these men and women are first and foremost lovers of nature and that they know these places better than anyone. It is therefore through the eyes of Jean-Maxime, Visa Trekking Briançon office, which we were able to exchange, learn and discover this beautiful region. We talk more about this experience in our article « The most beautiful corners of the Hautes-Alpes ».

Useful links to prepare the hike:

→ Find out more about weather conditions: Blue weather.
→ Information on road access conditions: InfoRoute05.
→ The mountain rescue number: first call the 112 to give the alert, you will be put in contact with the mountain rescue unit (PGHM or CRS).
PGHM Hautes-Alpes:
04 92 21 58 58
CRS Briançon:
04 92 23 01 65
Office de tourisme Hautes-Vallées :
06 07 07 31 08