Vallon de Lanchatra - hike from Plan du Lac

A beautiful hike in a wild valley to discover Lanchatra's rich flora and architectural heritage.

TECHNICAL INFORMATION:
Starting point: Plan du Lac
Elevation gain: 650 m
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes one way and 2 hours back
Distance: 10.4 km

MAP AND HIKING GUIDE:
TOP 25 IGN 3236 AND
OBP Trail Map No. 5 (Oisans au Bout des Pieds), Trail 522

ITINERARY:
At the Plan du Lac parking lot, take the trail on your right that runs alongside the turquoise waters of the Vénéon River to the hamlet of Lanchatra. Take the time to walk through this magnificent, restored, and well-maintained hamlet with its small chapel, “Notre Dame des Neiges.” Descend through the forest toward the Vallon de Lanchatra until you reach the Pisse torrent. Follow the path along the left bank of the stream, sheltered from the heat beneath century-old trees. The bottom of the Lanchatra Valley opens up before you, with its pastures and the “Cabane Pastorale de la Selle.” Beyond this point, the trail becomes difficult and is not recommended for children.

To return, retrace your steps to the mill footbridge, cross it, and continue along the right bank of the stream toward Plan du Lac. After a lovely descent, turn left to head back toward Plan du Lac. The Lanchatra waterfall will be a welcome sight, refreshing you with its mist and leaving you in awe of its power.

YOU ARE HIKING IN THE HEART OF THE ÉCRINS NATIONAL PARK
The Écrins Massif is an exceptional area, open to all, with a natural, cultural, and scenic heritage that is truly unique. To protect these treasures, the heart of the park is marked by blue-white-red flags, and regulations must be followed in this area. Please review these regulations when planning your hike to help preserve this shared resource at ecrins-parcnational.fr

SIGHTS ALONG THE WAY:

• The Notre Dame des Neiges Chapel and the hamlet of Lanchatra
• The pastures of Lanchatra
• The Lanchatra Waterfall

Yellow PDIPR signs

IGN Top 25 map no. 3336 ET