A classic Serre Chevalier ramble - Le Casset to the Lac de la Douche

This is a beautiful walk, suitable for all reasonably fit family members. It is uphill all the way so do carry and drink plenty of water, with food to suit your energy requirements. For parents with young families it is worth noting that to my surprise my four year old and her classmates recently managed to do this walk on a school outing, but they are accustomed to walking and running at altitude, and of course did not have their parents on hand to whinge at! Backpacks would be helpful indeed essential for toddlers. Please note that dogs are strictly not allowed in the Parc National des Ecrins, where this walk is located, because of the large numbers of flocks of sheep and herds of chamois also.

Map used:TOP 25 IGN 3436 ET, Meije-Pelvoux.

Duration of walk: allow 1hour 45 mins to reach the Lac de la Douche and two-thirds of that time to return to your starting point.

Altitude at starting point: 1512m

Altitude at highest point: 1901m

Change in altitude: 392m

How to get to Le Casset:

Take the RN 91(RD 1091) from Briancon to Monetier les Bains, heading in the direction of the Col de Lautaret. As you leave Monetier and the road bends to the left, take the turning on the left, signposted to Le Casset (D300). It is preferable for environmental reasons to park your car in the car park just before the entrance of the village.

Begin your walk on foot from here continuing along the obvious road in to the village of Le Casset. Walk past the buvette on your right, opposite the first bridge (unless of course you are thirsty already!). Continue up through the village, noting the classic alpine houses and sundials, as the road weaves to the left and then cross the next bridge over the Guisane river which will be signposted Parc National des Ecrins. This walk is clearly signposted throughout with red and white markers on the rocks too.

Follow the winding GR 54 footpath into the larch forest. Keep to the forest path, and cross the Petit Tabuc torrent at the Pont (bridge) du clot du Gue. Enjoy the sight and sound of the rushing white water from the torrent which accompanies you throughout your journey. Watch out for wildlife such as squirrels or chamois especially at dawn or dusk. When you reach the clearing known as the Grand Pre (altitude 1683m) follow the footpath to the left, signposts for the lake are obvious. The climb becomes steeper, narrower and more rocky, until the forest opens out into a plateau with a view of the Casset glacier and then you’ve reached the lake.

The Lac de la Douche (shower) is so named because of the cascade that flows into the top of the lake, looking rather like, yes you’ve guessed it, a shower. Even though this a popular walk there are nooks amongst the rocks for everyone to chill out and enjoy the beauty of the lake. The water has a beautiful milky turquoise sheen to it, known as the “farine glaciale”, literal translation meaning “flour from the glacier” apparently caused by the abrasion of water from the glacier on the bed rock.

The return journey back to Le Casset is by the same route.

Hardy mountain walkers may be interested in the longer walk ( time allowed for outward journey starting at Le Casset, 6 hours 30 mins ) that continues from the Lac de la Douche on to the Col d’Arsine (2320m) and the Lac d’Arsine.

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