Advanced Trekking Luchon

The route begins at the Vado–Hospital bus stop, where a paved track leads into open ground at the head of the valley. The path follows a steady line, moving away from the buildings and into an area of scattered grass and low vegetation. As you progress, the terrain begins to rise and the surroundings become increasingly rocky, with the valley narrowing between higher slopes on both sides.

Further along, the trail approaches the basin containing Lac d’Enfer. From the path, the lake is visible below steep rock faces, with a shoreline made up of boulders and broken granite. The route stays above the water and continues across uneven ground shaped by glacial erosion. The ascent becomes more noticeable here, with several sections of zigzags used to gain height.

After passing this first lake, the trail continues through a series of high mountain shelves that hold several other lakes, including Lac Bleu, Lac Charles, and Lac Célinda. Each one lies in a rocky depression surrounded by slabs, scree, and sparse patches of grass. The trail remains clear but crosses rougher terrain, often moving between rock outcrops and small tarns. Elevation changes are steady and frequent.

In the final part of the stage, the terrain becomes wider and more open, consisting mainly of bare rock and loose scree. The path follows a traversing line beneath the ridge until it reaches the flatter area where the Refuge du Maupas is located. The refuge stands on a rocky platform, with surrounding slopes and basins visible from the approach. The route ends at the entrance of the refuge.

From Refuge du Maupas, the stage begins on a clear mountain path that leaves the hut on a rocky terrace and traverses the slope above the cirque. The route follows a balcony-like line across broken granite and short grassy patches, keeping a fairly even height at first. Looking back, the basin around the hut remains visible, while ahead the path bends gradually toward a gentler shoulder. Here the terrain becomes a mix of small hollows, scattered boulders and narrow terraces before the trail starts to drop more clearly toward the first lakes.

The descent leads into a wide hanging valley with several bodies of water. The trail approaches Lac Vert from above and then runs close to its shoreline, following the long, shallow edge of the lake. This section is mainly on grass and compact earth, with occasional rocky steps. After Lac Vert, the route continues across undulating ground, passing near smaller pools and marshy patches and then heading toward the more compact basin of Lac des Grauès. The path remains easy to follow but crosses a mix of grassy slopes, low rock bands and short, steeper steps.

Beyond this area the character of the stage changes again as the trail climbs toward the Plateau de la Montagnette. A series of bends and zigzags take you up through steeper ground with heather, rocks and outcrops, gaining height steadily above the valley. Once on the plateau, the route levels out and follows a broad line beside Lac de la Montagnette. Here the ground is mostly open, with short alpine grass and scattered stones, and the way forward is clear. The plateau gives a good overview of the surrounding ridges and of the valley you have just crossed.

In the final part of the stage, the path traverses toward the basin of Boum de Venasque. The trail runs above the large main lake on stable, stony ground, then curves around a series of smaller tarns and shallow depressions. The surroundings are mostly bare rock with isolated grassy patches. A short, straightforward approach on this higher shelf leads directly to the Vénasque Refuge, which stands close to a group of small lakes on a flat area above the main basin, marking the end of the stage.