Mont Pelat

3,051 m

France

Also known as Monte Pelat, Pelat, +1

Monte Pelat · Pelat · Пела

Elevation: 3,051 m
Prominence: 764 m
Difficulty: 2/10; Hike
Best Season: Jul–Sep
Routes: 1

RegulationReported 1 Oct 2026
2026 season: access to the Laus car park (Lac d'Allos) is regulated and paid in high season, with online booking from 1 July to 31 August; in October outside the school holidays access is free without booking, and during the Toussaint holidays it is paid on site at the Cluite toll.
valdallos.com

Routes

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SACT2HikeNormal route

Sources differ: R1 (bivouak.net)

One of the easiest 3,000 m summits in the French Alps: about 950 m of ascent on a well-made, waymarked path from the Laus car park (about 2,110 m) above Allos, across the Méouille plateau, through the Barres du Pelat and up long switchbacks in the stony Combe du Pelat to the summit ridge. About 3 hours up, 2 hours down; often looped past the Lac d'Allos.

Elevation Profile

Distance: 7.5 km; one way
Ascent: +981 m; start → summit
High Point: 3,051 m
Time Up: 4h 18m; DIN 33466
Time Down: 3h 02m; DIN 33466 · same way back

From the Laus car park at the end of the D226 (11 km above Allos), take the path at the back of the car park with stone steps up to the Laus plateau, then follow the track right (towards the Lac d'Allos) to the junction with the Mont Pelat path, about 15 minutes from the start. Climb left on the PR path through two hairpins in the larch forest to the Méouille plateau, turn left at the crossroads at the end of the flat section and cross the stream. The path climbs across the slope to a junction below the rock band of the Barres du Pelat; go straight on through the band, which looks intimidating from a distance but is easy on the path, and up tight switchbacks. At the junction for the Lac du Trou de l'Aigle (2,672 m, a recommended 10-minute detour) bear left and follow long traverses up the stony Combe du Pelat, then the ridge to the summit (3,051 m). The terrain is very rocky, and a few hands-on steps may be needed just below the top. Descend the same way to the Méouille crossroads, then continue straight on the GR56B, almost level through larch woods and scree, to the Lac d'Allos and the Refuge du Lac d'Allos, and back over a small pass and down the track to the car park. The whole route is in the core zone of the Mercantour National Park: dogs are banned, even on a lead.

Start

Parking du Laus2,113 m

Free inter-village shuttles run in the Val d'Allos in summer; a shuttle to the Laus car park was not confirmed for 2026.
Parking at the trailhead

Stages

Day	Stage	km	m ascent	m descent	Time
1	Parking du Laus → Mont Pelat	7.5	981	42	4h 18m

Waypoints

Parking:
Parking du Laus2,113 m
End of the D226 from Allos; access regulated and paid in high season
Feature:
Lac du Trou de l'Aigle2,671 m
Junction for the lake (10-minute detour); bear left up the Combe du Pelat
Summit:
Mont Pelat3,051 m

Key Passages

Méouille plateau
Barres du Pelat rock band (on path)
Long switchbacks in the Combe du Pelat
Summit ridge

Equipment

0/5 packed

Technical

Crampons and ice axesnow in the Combe du Pelat in early summer or after autumn snowfallRecommended

Footwear

Hiking bootsvery stony terrainRequired

Clothing

Warm and windproof layerssummit above 3,000 mRequired

Other

Waterwater at the car park is not drinkableRequired
Sun protectionRequired

Downloads

Route confidence 85%

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Overview

The highest point of the upper Verdon (3,051 m) and one of the easiest 3,000 m summits in the Alps: a well-made path from the Lac d'Allos road in the Mercantour National Park, with views over the Southern Alps and, on the clearest days, to Corsica.

Mont Pelat rises at the north-western end of the Mercantour, between the upper Verdon valley above Allos and the upper Var around the Col de la Cayolle. Its broad, stony south side holds the Combe du Pelat; below lie the Lac d'Allos, at 54 ha one of the largest natural high-altitude lakes in Europe, and the smaller Lac du Trou de l'Aigle. With over 760 m of prominence, it dominates the surrounding ridges for more than 25 km.

The normal route from the Laus car park is a walk: about 950 m of ascent on a waymarked path that threads through the Barres du Pelat rock band and zigzags up the combe to the summit ridge. No scrambling to speak of, no glacier, and a road end at 2,110 m make it a common first 3,000 m summit for hikers. The usual day is a loop returning past the Lac d'Allos.

The whole area is in the core zone of the Mercantour National Park, with summer sheep flocks watched by livestock guard dogs, and strict park rules: no dogs, no camping, and bivouac only well away from the road.

Climbing Notes

Fitness for about 950 m of ascent at up to 3,050 m and 5–6½ hours of walking is all that is needed; there are no technical sections, though the path is very stony and a few steps near the top may need hands. Acclimatisation is not usually an issue for a day hike, but go slowly if you have come straight from the coast.

Plan for road access: the D226 to the Laus car park is normally open from mid-June to mid-October, and in high season access is regulated, limited and paid, with online booking in July and August; the free Cluite car park lower down adds about 2½ hours of walking. Uphill access to the Laus is closed on Fridays and Saturdays from 17:00 to 21:00. Start early in summer to beat afternoon thunderstorms.

In early summer snow can linger in the Combe du Pelat, and from October the first snow arrives; crampons and an ice axe are then useful. In winter and spring the Pelat is a ski-touring objective, with the road closed. Walk around sheep flocks and give guard dogs time to identify you.

Season

Best Jul–Sep

January: Possible
February: Possible
March: Possible
April: Possible
May: Not advisable
June: Good
July: Best (best window)
August: Best (best window)
September: Best (best window)
October: Good
November: Not advisable
December: Possible

Jan: Ski touring only; Lac d'Allos road closed
Feb: Ski touring; avalanche risk
Mar: Spring ski touring from Allos
Apr: Spring ski touring; road closed
May: Road usually still closed; mixed snow
Jun: Road and car park usually open from mid-June; snow in the combe
Jul: Main season; car park paid and booked; afternoon storms
Aug: Main season; very busy at the lake
Sep: Stable weather, fewer people; paid access at weekends
Oct: Road usually open until mid-October; first snow possible
Nov: Road closed; early winter
Dec: Early-season ski touring if snow allows

Access & Permits

Hut Booking

Refuge du Lac d'Allos (on the descent loop): +33 4 92 83 00 24, refugedulacdallos@gmail.com.

Fees

Laus car park (Lac d'Allos road): access regulated, limited and paid in high season (weekends in June and September, every day in July and August, and the Toussaint holidays); 07:00–17:00 from the Cluite toll; online booking in July and August on valdallos.com

Rules

Mercantour National Park core zone: dogs are banned all year, even on a lead or carried; drones banned; camping banned, including in the car park and in vans
Bivouac allowed only 19:00–09:00 and more than one hour's walk from the park boundary or the last road access (so not by the Lac d'Allos)
Swimming in the Lac d'Allos is forbidden by the commune
Uphill access to the Laus car park is closed on Fridays and Saturdays from 17:00 to 21:00

Getting There

Allos; Barcelonnette

Nice Côte d'Azur (NCE)

Car: from Allos on the D226 for 11 km to the Laus car park (about 2,110 m), open roughly mid-June to mid-October; overflow at the free Cluite car park (adds about 2½ h on foot); vehicles over 2.10 m must use the Chaup car park
Bus/train: services from Nice or Marseille to the Val d'Allos; free inter-village shuttles in summer within the valley

Hazards

Weather

Huts & Shelters

Refuge du Lac d'AllosRefugeStaffed
40 beds · Staffed June to September; self-catering room open all year
Website of Refuge du Lac d'Allos
2,250 m