Guidebook with maps/step-by-step
1/ Reach the edge of the lake and follow the signs for "Chalets de Lens". Join Cubourré. 2/ Follow the trail up the combe d'Ardens. 3/ Then take the trail up to the "refuge des Tindérêts". 4/ Take the path above the refuge through a copse of green alders. 5/ After crossing the large schist corridor, join the "Aup Couti". This last passage can be tricky for those with no previous experience in the mountains. 6/ Take the trail to the left to reach the "alpage de Lens". After 200 m, you'll come to the "Montagne de Lens". 7/ Continue down the path to the "Chalets de Lens". At the crossroads, you can shorten the circuit by returning to the Plagnes parking lot in 45 minutes (alternative). 8/ Head towards "Lenlevay". After a long but easy climb, you reach Les Covagnes, on the GR5. 9/ Turn left towards Lenlevay, just before the chalets, take the "Chalets du Jouly Haut puis Bas" trail on the left. 10/ Continue along this path as far as the "Les Trables" oratory, then take the left-hand trail down through the grass, which joins an old path through the forest. 11/ Turn left towards "Tetagottay", then right down to the edge of the meadow. Lac des Plagnes can be seen at the bottom of the valley, and you're almost there.
