Lac du Pêtre

An unspoilt valley, three mountain lakes with different characters, wild or more relaxing, and an abundance of flowers at the beginning of the season.
Take the track that runs alongside the Laiton forest (sign).

The trail passes Plan de la Porte and the Biol cairns. It climbs up to the Cave de la Grande Val junction, overlooking the alpine chalet of the same name, where you follow the signs for "refuge du Lac Merlet/refuge du Grand Plan". (Vallée des Avals sign 2240m)

We pass the Grand Plan refuge before overlooking Lac Merlet Inférieur (2391m).

After a short descent, leave the Lacs Merlet refuge on the right and walk around the lake to the right.

At the end of the lake, continue on the path that leads shortly after to Lac Merlet Supérieur (2450m) at the foot of the Aiguille du Fruit (3048m) and the Crête de Chanrossa.

View of the Dômes de la Vanoise, Grande Casse, Rocher de Plassa, Aiguille de Chanrossa, Aiguille des Corneillets, Petit Mont Blanc etc...

Go back down to the fork at the lower lake and head towards Lac du Pêtre (signposted), cross a large plateau and then the path plunges down to Plan du Pêtre.