Hike to Lake Lauvitel (starting from Venosc)

Due to thunderstorms overnight from August 13 to 14, 2026, the trail leading to Lauvitel along the right bank is closed (the footbridge has been washed away); please use the left bank instead.

This is one of the most beautiful sites in the Oisans for children aged from 7 and over.

"YOU HIKE IN THE HEART OF THE ECRINS NATIONAL PARK
The Écrins massif is an exceptional area, open to all, with a rare natural, cultural and landscape heritage. To protect this wealth, the heart of the park is marked with blue-white-red flags, where regulations must be respected. Please take note of them when preparing your hike in order to preserve this collective asset on the ecrins-parcnational.fr website."

ITINERARY:
From the Venosc gondola car park, follow the road towards Bourg d'Oisans for 1 kilometre.
At the first pedestrian bridge across the Vénéon (known as the 'Passerelle verte'), cross over to the left bank. Take the path on the right towards La Danchère.
You will cross a scree slope whose exit is slightly higher than the entrance. There are cairns (small piles of stones) to help you find your way. Once you reach the hamlet of La Danchère, take the path past the village café to rejoin the GR54. At the end of the track, there are two paths, one on each bank of the stream: either the one on the right, which meanders gently down to the lake, offering more variety and a gentler climb, or the one on the left, which is shadier but steeper, perfect for descending and completing the loop. A footbridge allows you to change sides about halfway along the route. The bravest will continue to the Col du Vallon, to the right of the lake, where a lake nestles in a wilder, high-mountain setting.

THE PARC DES ECRINS, A FRAGILE NATURE TO PROTECT
When hiking in the Parc des Ecrins, you must respect the regulations that allow you to enjoy this exceptional natural area: do not leave the paths, dogs are not allowed even on a leash, no picking of flowers, no taking of fossils, minerals, animals..., do not throw anything on the ground (bring your own rubbish). Nature thanks you!

TO BE SEEN ON THE COURSE :
What a reward when you arrive at the edge of the lake and the marmots show up! You will enjoy observing the mountain flora: martagon lily, orange lily, spotted orchis... depending on the season.

NOTES:
The largest lake in the Écrins massif is also an integral nature reserve at the bottom of the valley (totally untouched by humans). And don't forget that you are in the Écrins National Park: don't leave the paths, don't pick flowers, don't swim, respect these gifts of nature!

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