Lac des Quirlies – hiking

Lac des Quirlies, at an altitude of 2566 metres, was created around 1950, following the retreat of the Quirlies glacier. It is the latest mountain lake in the Oisans region.
Its milky appearance is due to the fine clay particles contained in its waters, giving it an enchanting and mysterious appearance.
In spring, it's still possible to see the glacier plunging into the waters of the lake, offering an incredible natural spectacle.


TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Departure point: hamlet of Les Perrons, Clavans-en-Haut-Oisans (1,608 m)

Ascent: 1,000 m

Return journey time: 4 h outward journey and 2 h 55 return journey

Round trip distance: 14 km

Level: difficult (for experienced hikers), with an aerial passage, unbridged river crossings and part of the route between rocky chaos and scree.


MAP AND TOPO

TOP 25 map no. 3335 ET - Bourg d'Oisans, l'Alpe d'Huez, Grandes Rousses, Sept Laux (Alps)
OBP map no. 3 (Oisans au Bout des Pieds): trails no. 332 and 334


ITINERARY

The first part of the hike begins in the mountain pastures. Very quickly and without difficulty, you come to a cirque of waterfalls known as the "Cascades du Pont Ferrand" (the one on the left comes from the Ruisseau de la Pisserote, the one on the right from the Torrent du Ferrand). The sublime and powerful setting for the hike is then launched!

An initial steep ascent through the slate quarry, a little airy but quick (around 15 minutes), will take you to the Ferrand waterfall and its summit.

The ascent of the glacial waters of the Ferrand then begins on a 4 km undulating trail. The valley gradually reveals itself, eventually opening out onto green, flower-filled mountain pastures, contrasted by the high (often snow-capped) peaks of the Grandes Rousses massif on one side, and an imposing schist ridge on the other, the Échine de Praouat. The climb is gradual, pleasant and punctuated by small streams that join the Ferrand.

At the Chalet des Quirlies, the route becomes very challenging. It will take you 2 hours to climb 2.2 km (530 D+). Suffice it to say, it won't be easy. The first part of the ascent is through the mountain pastures. As you gain height, you'll be able to admire the beauty of the Ferrand torrent and its tributaries, which have been carving out the valley for centuries, with the impression that it flows into the Écrins.

Once you've reached the top of the waterfall, a final section awaits you. Here, the scenery changes completely: everything becomes mineral! You've reached the high mountains. You'll find your way through a rocky chaos that follows the stream coming down directly from the lake. You'll need to make a final, short but intense effort, as you still have 300 m of positive ascent to climb over 500 m.

This time, the milky-blue lake is right in front of you, held back by a granite moraine and surrounded by high glaciers. Let yourself be enchanted by this natural spectacle, both magnificent and mysterious.

Then turn around and admire the view. From here you can see the Arves and its needles that seem to dance across the pastures, the Meije, of course, and all the rest of the Écrins and its glaciers.

The way back is the same, and you'll be facing the same panorama as above! Be careful on the way down, especially in the scree slopes, with rocks that can move, and the slate quarry crossings, which are very slippery.


TO SEE ON THE ROUTE

- Pont Ferrand and its waterfalls
- Malatres and Quirlies glaciers and their median moraine
- Echine de Praouat (schist ridge)


NEARBY ATTRACTIONS
- The villages of Clavans-le-Bas and Clavans-le-Haut
- The hamlet of Le Perron and its house leaning against a rock
- The Sarenne pass