Mountain favourites
♡ Les Demoiselles Coiffées
Le-Sauze-du-Lac | Serre-Ponçon
Demoiselles Coiffées, more commonly known as "fairy chimneys", are rock formations of glacial origin. They consist of a column of various conglomerates formed by erosion, supporting a more or less voluminous rock. The 2.60-hectare plot of land housing the Demoiselles Coiffées du Sauze-du-Lac has been a listed site since 1966.
▷ How do you discover Les Demoiselles Coiffées, Serre-Ponçon's favorite ?
From Savines-le-Lac, head towards Barcelonette/Le-Sauze-du-Lac as far as the Demoiselles Coiffées parking lot. Stony footpath, with 4 small esplanades equipped with information boards. Round trip: 1h | Other sites : Châteauroux-les-Alpes and Théus.
A medieval-style trail with 95 steps!
♡ Le Pic de Morgon
Crots | Serre-Ponçon
A not-to-be-missed hike with certainly the most beautiful view of Lac de Serre-Ponçon. As you climb to the summit at 2324m, you'll discover an enchanting high-altitude cirque with panoramic views over the Ubaye and Durance valleys. Crossing the cirque is a moment of escapism and freedom, an experience to be shared by all. Once you've reached the top, you'll overlook Savines-le-Lac and then follow the ridges to the Pic de Morgon, where "THE" reward awaits you: a 360° view of Lake Serre-Ponçon and the peaks of the Ecrins National Park!
New for 2022: a wind rose at the summit of Morgon!
A large, 4.50m-diameter disc on the ground gives way to the landscape and sky. This 6cm-thick, 3-tonne marble compass rose, made up of 7 elements that can be walked on, refers, according to the points of the compass, to the peaks that culminate at distances ranging from 9km to 96km. Conceived by TOPO*GRAFIK | Paysagistes Concepteurs, and completed in 10 days by the Pérez brothers, who specialize in working with stone and marble, this work of art captivates hikers with its size, geometric shape and smooth material. There's no doubt that this perfectly polished pedestal, set on this wild peak, will add to the dazzling panorama.
▷ How do I get to the Pic de Morgon?
Between Crots and Savines-le-Lac, head towards theAbbaye de Boscodon, then up the forest track to the Grand Clôt parking lot.
Loop: 4h | D+: 812 m | Air passage just before leaving the ridge (requires use of hands).
On the way up to the summit, you'll discover the Morgon cirque with its small lake and its flora and fauna.
♡ Le Mont Guillaume
Embrun | Serre-Ponçon
An emblematic peak (2552m) ,overlooking the town ofEmbrun (less than 5km away), Mont Guillaume is of particular importance to its inhabitants. In early July, the fully restored Chapelle des Seyères hosts a mass dedicated to Saint-Guillaume, adding an extra dimension to the hike.
Mont Guillaume offers magnificent panoramic views and is a historic site for French skiing, as well as being the site of an annual procession.
▷ How do I get to Mont Guillaume?
FromEmbrun station, head up towards the top of the town, cross the railroad line and then head towards Caleyère until you reach the hamlet. Continue towards the forest.
Round trip: 5h30 | D+: 1185 m | 15.9 km
Mont Guillaume saw the first ski ascent in the French Alps, on February 12 1897 by Swedish lieutenant Widman of the 28th Battalion of Chasseurs Alpins.
♡ Ecrins National Park
Serre-Ponçon area
Serre-Ponçon is the Park's southernmost sector. Here, the peaks flirt with 3000m and have their feet in the water. The area boasts a rich diversity of flora and fauna, as well as natural curiosities such as the Marmite des Géants at Les Gourniers and the Cascade de la Pisse at Châteauroux-les-Alpes.
▷ Everything you need to know about the Parc National des Écrins?
An ideal destination for hiking and discovering exceptional flora and fauna, find all the information you need (species, hiking, regulations) at www.ecrins-parcnational.fr.
Little plus: To help you organize your hikes, theRando Ecrins app is a real search engine, offering around a hundred itineraries and over 1,000 heritage sites described and illustrated with numerous photos. The site offers dynamic cartography, 3D navigation, GPS tracks and a free service for exporting hike sheets, which can be printed out or downloaded onto a smartphone or tablet for offline consultation: http://rando.ecrins-parcnational.fr/
♡ La Hêtraie
Pontis | Serre-Ponçon
After Savines-le-Lac, on the way to Ubaye, a detour to the village of Pontis is well worth it to discover a beech forest like no other. This enchanting forest, a haven of peace and serenity at the foot of the Pic de Morgon, overlooks Lake Serre-Ponçon. With its undergrowth backdrop and flamboyant autumn colors, the forest is an ideal location for painters and photographers. Nature lovers will also find it an ideal, almost magical place, seemingly home to Merlin the Enchanter!
Departing from the village of Pontis (parking lot in front of the town hall), a short 1.5-hour hike with a gentle ascent of 144m takes you through the forest, before offering a magnificent view of Lac de Serre-Ponçon.
♡ Our summer and winter resorts
Réallon | Serre-Ponçon
Nestled between Lake Serre-Ponçon and the Ecrins National Park, Réallon is the family-friendly resort par excellence. Come and experience an incredible nature escape!
SUMMER: The resort offers a multitude of hikes with breathtaking panoramic views over Lac de Serre-Ponçon, the emblematic Aiguilles de Chabrières and the Ecrins National Park. Some of these are accessible by panoramic chairlifts, which also offer riders an ideal playground for mountain biking and scootering, in the heart of its varied and fun bike park. The hamlet of Gourniers, located at the entrance to the Park, offers a number of hiking trails, as well as a leisure center with a lake, in a magnificent mountain setting.
Small plus : Réallon's panoramic chairlifts
WINTER: Réallon is the ideal family ski resort. The richness of its different areas, the diversity of activities and entertainment will satisfy young and old alike, with the added bonus of an exceptional panoramic view of the great alpine lake! In winter, the hamlet of Les Gourniers is home to the Nordic foyer. Cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and fat-biking are all on offer in a wild and magical setting.
Crévoux | Serre-Ponçon
A veritable haven of peace in the heart of the Parpaillon massif and facing the Ecrins National Park, Crévoux l'authentique offers a breathtaking escape in its unspoilt natural setting.
SUMMER: From family outings on the high-altitude Lac du Crachet, with its crystal-clear water, the Cascade de Razis and its artistic " Parcours des Fées " trail, to the sporty and confidential itineraries at the bottom of the valley towards Lac de Lalatcha or Grand Parpaillon, at almost 3000m, the choice is vast and will satisfy every hiking or mountain-biking enthusiast. In the heart of the wild, unspoilt Crévoux valley, come and experience a complete change of scenery!
Little extras: "Le Parcours des fées": artistic and poetic open-air trail from June to September, nights in 3 unusual accommodations created by artists. Self-guided tours every day, admission €2 and €1 (under 12s). www.parcours-des-fees.fr
WINTER: The Crévoux valley has been cultivating and harmoniously combining all winter mountain activities for 80 years. Typical villages and hamlets and a warm welcome are the main qualities of this haven of peace, where vacations are lived to the rhythm of the mountains and their inhabitants. Crévoux is a natural ski paradise, with an Alpine ski area and a Nordic ski area for all kinds of winter sports.
Les Orres | Serre-Ponçon
The resort of Les Orres welcomes you winter and summer alike in an exceptional natural setting. From its summit, which rises to an altitude of 2720m, on the balcony of the Lac de Serre-Ponçonadmire the panorama of the Parc National des Ecrins on one side and the Parpaillon massif on the other, stroll along the larch-lined pistes and soak up the Southern Alps sun.
SUMMER: the resort offers mountain vacations, with, in addition to hiking hiking hiking and MOUNTAIN BIKINGand a wide range of for young and old alike. Les Orres is the sports and leisure resort where you can move mountains, take the plunge or take it easy! Between lake and mountain, its playground is at altitude, on land, in the air or in the water, for a summer at the top.
A little extra The multi-activity "Passep'Orres" pass gives access to several activities, some of which are unlimited! On sale at lift ticket offices, online at forfait.lesorres.comor as part of a stay with accommodation at reservation.lesorres.com.
WINTER: The Les Orres ski area lends itself to all ski levels with its 100km of pistes. Renowned for its sporting nature and long vertical drops, it is also suitable for beginners. Set in the heart of a larch and fir forest, the Les Orres ski area also offers 360° panoramic views over the entire Serre-Ponçon valley. In winter, Les Orres also offers a wide range of sporting, leisure and cultural activities to enjoy with family and friends. Whether you like to relax, experience extreme sensations, or simply have fun, you're welcome in this leisure paradise!
♡ Pilgrim's Way to Santiago de Compostela
Via Alta
Pilgrims and hikers can follow the GR653D from Montgenèvre to Arles, one of the links between Rome and Santiago de Compostela. This route, with its varied landscape and heritage between lake and mountain, was reconstituted on the initiative of the Amis de Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle and the French hiking federation. Although the topography of the area has changed considerably, the path has been reconstituted to respect the ancient Roman Domitia route as closely as possible. The GR passes through Montgenèvre, Les Vigneaux, L'Argentière-la-Bessée, Mont-Dauphin, Réotier, Châteauroux-les-Alpes, Embrun, Boscodon, Savines-le-Lac, Saint-Apollinaire, Chorges, Montgardin, le Laus,Gap, Tallard, Venterol before continuing on to the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence.
♡ Small focus
Honey: the gold of our mountains
Serre-Ponçon is home to a large number of beekeepers, whose rich flora and ideal sunshine guarantee a varied production. The many producers and local stores await you to discover and share their passion for the local produce: cheeses, wine, genepi, sea buckthorn...
The marmot: the whistler of our mountains
An emblematic animal of our mountains, our little mascot with its distinctive whistle lives between 800 and 3000m altitude. So it's not unusual to come across it on hikes from April to October, and to make sure you don't miss it, the Parc Animalier de Serre-Ponçon is the perfect place. You'll also come across other species such as chamois, mouflon, roe deer, golden eagle, bearded vulture, etc.
