Located in the heart of the mountains, the Serre-Ponçon lake is a paradise for hikers of all kinds: walkers, cyclists and even horse riders! From the shores of the lake to the summits frequently exceeding 2 meters, there is something for all tastes and all levels so that everyone can fully enjoy the exceptional spectacle offered by nature! Camping du Lac is therefore the ideal holiday location for unforgettable excursions around Serre-Ponçon!
HIKING OR MOUNTAIN BIKE AROUND THE LAKE
CLAMP-PONÇONThe most beautiful hiking and mountain biking around the lake
The Embrunman, symbol of the potential of Serre-Ponçon
This sensational landscape is also the privileged setting, every August 15, of one of the toughest triathlons in the world: the Embrunman!
After nearly 4 km of swimming in the Embrun lake, the participants get on their bikes for a 185 km circuit that crosses the lake but also the Ecrins National Park, the Queyras Regional Park and its famous Col de the Izoard.
Finally, the effort ends with a marathon in the town of Embrun. But rest assured, it is possible to enjoy the site of Serre-Ponçon, on foot or by bike, much more peacefully!
Strolls along the water…
Countless paths wind around the Serre-Ponçon lake allowing you to admire the water reservoir and its environment from every angle! For lovers of flora and fauna, we particularly recommend the ecotourism trail from Liou to Baratier.
A path on stilts allows you to travel through a 10-hectare wetland that evokes both the mangroves and the Camargue. You can observe many species of birds (grey heron, dipper, etc.), fish (bream, pike, etc.) or even plants (tidal iris, watercress, etc.). Please note that the site is prohibited for bicycles and our canine friends.
In the same vein, the municipality of Rousset offers a discovery and botanical trail whose departure is located near the belvedere overlooking the Serre-Ponçon dam. It leads to the Bois Vieux leisure center which will allow you to conclude your walk with a swim in the turquoise waters of the lake.
…or on the mountainside
By studying the topography of the surroundings of Serre-Ponçon, we quickly understand that hiking enthusiasts can have a field day!
One of the most unmissable is that of Grand Morgon, the emblematic peak of Serre-Ponçon, on the heights of Savines-le-Lac. After walking the Pierre-Arnoux forestry path, hikers can admire the Cirque de Morgon before being rewarded with the view of the lake at the top of Grand Morgon and its 2 meters of altitude!
Not far from there, the Barnafret torrent is the setting for an unusual night hike thanks to its lighting that works until midnight!
Among the many hiking trails, we also recommend:
· The Col de la Gardette (2 m) from Chorges, a relatively accessible outing of about 125 hours;
· Mont-Guillaume and its forest from Embrun or Puy-Sanières, near the Ecrins National Park;
· The Morgonnet pass (1620 m) from Pontis;
· The Aiguilles de Chabrières from Prunières;
· The trail of the famous Demoiselles Coiffées where you can admire these astonishing geological curiosities formed by erosion (Sauze-du-Lac);
· the Gardette and Coupa passes or the Mourre Froid from the hamlet of Gourniers (Réallon) where the Écrins National Park Center is also located;
· The torrent and the Saut de Rolland (waterfall dried up in summer) in Rousset;
· The shady coolness of the Saluzzo forest in Saint-André d'Embrun;
· The forest and Mount Méale from Saint-Sauveur;
· And of course the GR 50 which goes around the Ecrins National Park to the north of the Serre-Ponçon lake.
And for mountain bike lovers?
In Serre-Ponçon, mountain bikers are not left out! Several municipalities offer itineraries adapted to cross-country. Here is a small selection:
From the Embrun lake car park, you can access several mountain bike trails: the Plaine sous le Roc loop (8,5 km), the Crots Beach loop (9 km), the Combe des Champannées (11,8 km) and the loop of Saint-Sauveur (16,8 km).
In Chorges, the Fein (12,2 km), Chanteloube (14,4 km) and Serre Renard (30,4 km) loops start from the car park at the station.
From a car park on the Morgon road in Savines-le-Lac, you can take advantage of the Serre-Verger circuit (9,7 km) or the Maniane loop and its 1 meters of elevation gain. The start of the Mallets (100 km), Vaucluse (8,9 km) or Fort (14,7 km) loops is located at the Iscles leisure center in the hamlet of Gourniers (Réallon).
And, for enduro enthusiasts, how can we not mention the descents from Les Orres station and their 920 m of negative altitude difference!
Finally, sports cycling enthusiasts will enjoy the unmissable climb of Réallon from Savines-le-Lac (800 meters of vertical drop over 11 km!), while those who prefer the ride will enjoy the beauty of the Serre-Ponçon lake. along the roads and paths that border the stretch of water.
And if you are not equipped, Camping du Lac has a mountain bike rental service! Do not hesitate to contact us…