Lakes of the Emparis Plateau - Hike from Singuigneret (Mizoën)

Located on the edge of the Écrins National Park, the plateau offers a magnificent view of La Meije and the surrounding glaciers. It’s obviously a paradise for hikers, lovers of the great outdoors, and anyone looking to enjoy a picnic!

A varied hike through shaded woodlands and trails winding along the mountainside. A beautiful getaway that gradually gains elevation. The route begins peacefully under the shelter of the trees before following the contours of the terrain along a more exposed trail. As you climb, the mountain landscape gradually reveals itself, culminating in a spectacular arrival on the vast Emparis plateau—an exceptional viewpoint facing La Meije. Your efforts are rewarded at the finish with a 360° panorama of the alpine meadows and the major peaks of the Écrins.

You’ll be able to admire a succession of remarkable sights along the entire route:

• The Fontaine Pétrifiante Waterfall
• The Fay and Mouterres mountain huts
• The Rif Tort Marshes
• High-altitude lakes: Lac Noir, Lac Lérié, Lac Cristallin
• Alpine pastures
• Panoramic views of La Meije and the Écrins

Yellow PDIPR sign. GR markings (red and white)

IGN TOP 25 map no. 3335 ET (Bourg d'Oisans - Alpe d'Huez)

Take the beginner’s trail at the far end of the Singuigneret parking lot and continue straight ahead to the hamlet of Les Clots, following the GR trail markers (red and white). At first wide and shaded, the trail narrows after a few minutes, becoming a balcony-like path in the open. This first section has very little elevation gain.

After this section, you’ll have the option to take a detour to Lake Lovitel and its nature trail, which leads to an orientation table.

Shortly afterward, you’ll arrive at the Clots mountain hut, where you can enjoy a panoramic view of La Meije and the Fontaine Pétrifiante waterfall.

To reach the plateau, take the path toward the waterfall. From this point, the trail becomes steeper (about 600 m of elevation gain over 1.6 km). Stay on the trail and follow the GR markers until you reach the plateau, where the trail continues to climb, though at a gentler pace.

At the Fay and Mouterres mountain huts, the trail gradually descends along the Rif Tort toward the center of the Emparis Plateau.

Once you reach the heart of the plateau, you’ll be treated to a 360-degree view of the alpine pastures, reminiscent of the Mongolian steppes.

In the center of the plateau, take the trail to the right (GR54) toward the Col du Souchet (2,365 m). Once at the pass, leave the GR54—which descends toward Le Chazelet—and head right up the grassy valley leading to the shore of Lake Lérié.

Continue to the right above the lake to reach Lac Noir. From there, an exceptional panorama unfolds before you, featuring the peaks of La Meije and Le Râteau, with the Rousses massif to the north.

From the lake, continue along the trail heading north to return to the center of the plateau, then descend via the same route you took on the way up to reach Singuigneret.