The Arsine Lakes

The hamlet of Casset lives according to the changing colours, from the green prairies in the valley to the light blue of the Arsine glacial lakes.

Description

It is hard to imagine that just 60 years ago, the Arsine lakes did not exist and the entire site was covered by ice. Over time, plant life has colonised the new environment: purple saxifrage, creeping avens, campanula cenisia, genepi. There is even life in the cold water of the lakes.

Tarifs

Free access.

Bons plans

Is in the midst of the park : The national park is an unrestricted natural area but subjected to regulations which must be known by all visitors.
Herd protection dogs : In mountain pastures, protection dogs are there to protect the herds from predators (wolves, etc.).When I hike I adapt my behavior by going around the herd and pausing for the dog to identify me.Find out more about the actions to adopt with the article "Protection dogs: a context and actions to adopt".Tell us about your meeting by answering this survey.

Itinéraire

• Distance 17.79km
• Type d'itinéraire Aller/retour
• Dénivelé positif 987m
• Dénivelé négatif 987m
• Durée journalière 06:00
• Altitude maximum 2459m

Localisation

Documents

• The Arsine Lakes (pdf)

Thèmes

• Tips : Is in the midst of the park : The national park is an unrestricted natural area but subjected to regulations which must be known by all visitors.
  Herd protection dogs : In mountain pastures, protection dogs are there to protect the herds from predators (wolves, etc.).When I hike I adapt my behavior by going around the herd and pausing for the dog to identify me.Find out more about the actions to adopt with the article "Protection dogs: a context and actions to adopt".Tell us about your meeting by answering this survey.

• Guidebook with maps/step-by-step : From the car park at the entrance of Casset, near the Park information centre, head up the hamlet by the main street and cross the second bridge over the Guisane, on the left. A straight track follows the Petit Tabuc stream and leads progressively from the hayfields into the woods. Beyond the barrier and the Clot du Gué bridge, a steady climb leads through the larch forest up to Grand Pré glade (1683 m), then on to the Douche lake (1901 m). The heart of the Ecrins National Park starts on the other side of the ford made of wood and stones. A winding footpath over a large area of scree gives well-deserved access to a mineral valley, populated with chamois. In the distance, on the right, the shepherd's mountain hut reminds us that the area is used for grazing. The footpath continues on the right of the valley and ends at the Arsine pass (2340 m). This is where you will leave the GR 54 to go over the frontal moraine of the Arsine glacier. From this ledge created by the movement of the glaciers, two large lakes mark the end of the route (2455 m). The Arsine glacial cirque is overlooked by majestic summits: you will marvel at Les Agneaux and the Neige Cordier Peak. Return by the same route.