Earth favorites
♡ Fairy-tale chimne ys
Le-Sauze-du-Lac | Serre-Ponçon
Les Demoiselles Coiffées, more commonly known as « fairy chimneys », are rock formations of glacial origin. They consist of a column of various conglomerate drawn by erosion supporting a more or less bulky rock. The plot housing the Demoiselles Coiffées du Sauze-du-Lac, with an area of 2.60 ha, has been a classified site since 1966.
▷ How to discover the Demoiselles Coiffées, a little crush of Serre-Ponçon?
In Savines-le-Lac take the direction of Barcelonette / Le-Sauze-du-Lac to the Demoiselles Coiffées car park. Stony pedestrian path, with 4 small esplanades equipped with explanatory tablets. Round trip: 1h | Other sites: Châteauroux-les-Alpes and Théus.
Trail that looks like a medieval road made up of 95 steps!
♡ The Pic de Morgon
Crots | Serre-Ponçon
Unmissable hike with certainly the most beautiful view of the Serre-Ponçon lake. Climbing to the summit at 2324m, you will discover an enchanting altitude cirque and a panorama over the valleys of the Ubaye and the Durance. Crossing the circus is a moment of escape and freedom, a crush to share with everyone. Arrived at the top, you overlook Savines-le-Lac and you have to follow the ridges to arrive at the Pic de Morgon where you expect « THE » reward: a 360 ° view of the lake of Serre-Ponçon and the summits of the Park national des Ecrins!
▷ How to access the Pic de Morgon ?
Between Crots and Savines-le-Lac, take the direction of Boscodon Abbey, then the forest track and go up to the Grand Clôt car park.
Loop : 4h | D+ : 812 m | Air passage just before leaving the ridge (requires the use of hands).
The summit is provided with a remains of an orientation table which has been struck down!
♡ The Mont Guillaume
Embrun | Serre-Ponçon
Iconic summit (2552m), where the Swedish lieutenant Widman was the first to climb the French Alps on skis on the 12th of February 1897. Mountain maintained by the Prieers of St Guillaume who celebrate it on the second Sunday of July.
▷How to get to Mont Guillaume ?
From Embrun station, go up towards the top of town, cross the railway line and then take the direction of Caleyère to the hamlet. Then continue towards the forest.
Round trip : 5:30 am | 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.
♡ the Ecrins National Park
Serre-Ponçon sector
The peaks of the mountains of Serre Ponçon hit the bar of 3000m, while their roots are in the water. The fauna and flora are very varied, and there are natural sites everywhere, such as the waterfall La Cascade de la Pisse in Chateauroux-Les-Alpes.
▷ Know everything about the Ecrins National Park ?
Ideal destination for hiking, to discover an exceptional flora and fauna, find all the information (species, hikes, regulations) on www.ecrins-parcnational.fr.
Bonus : To facilitate the organization of your hikes, the Rando Ecrins app, a real search engine, offers around a hundred itineraries and more than 1000 heritages described and illustrated with numerous photos. The site offers dynamic mapping, 3D navigation, GPS tracks and a free service for the export of printable hiking records or to download on a smartphone or tablet to view them offline : http://rando.ecrins-parcnational.fr/
♡ The Hêtraie
Pontis | Serre-Ponçon
After Savines-le-Lac, in the direction of Ubaye, a detour to the village of Pontis is really worth the detour to discover an unparalleled beech forest. This enchanting forest, a true haven of peace and serenity, located at the foot of the Pic de Morgon, dominates the lake of Serre-Ponçon. With its undergrowth decor and flamboyant fall colors, the forest is the ideal place for painters and photographers. Nature lovers will also find an ideal, almost magical place here, which seems to be home to the enchanting Merlin!
Departing from the village of Pontis (parking in front of the town hall), a short 1.5 hour hike with a slight drop of 144m allows you to discover the forest, before offering a magnificent view of Lake Serre-Ponçon.
♡ Fairy trail
Crévoux (La Chalp) | Serre-Ponçon
Walking path with lots of modern art on the way, be prepared to see innovative and poetic artworks! All that surrounded by untouched nature. (From July to September)
♡ Our stations
Réallon | Serre-Ponçon
Located between the lake and the Parc national des Ecrins, this is the perfect destination for skiing with the whole family in winter. In the summer you can opt for a panoramic view from the chairlift, or for challenging bicycle routes for mountainbikers. The hamlet of Les Gourniers offers many hiking opportunities.
Crévoux | Serre-Ponçon
In winter this is the dream of every freerider, right in the Parpaillon mountains. In the summer you can cycle, walk or drive via the Col de Parpaillon (2988m) to the Ubaye Valley. Crévoux is the place where you can fully enjoy peace, nature and authenticity.
BIKE PARK Les Orres | Serre-Ponçon
Located between 1600m and 2600m, 14 downhill slopes of 4 different levels, 4 enduro-routes and a slope-style zone: this makes the heart of every mountain biker beat faster! More information on the website
♡ Camino de Santiago or THE WAY OF ST. JAMES
Via Alta
Pilgrims and hikers can walk from Montgenèvre to Arles on the walking path GR653D , the connection between Rome and Santiago de Compostella. A varied route between rivers and mountains.
♡ focus
HONEY : GOLD FROM THE ALPS
The many beekeepers around the lake benefit from a very rich flora and sufficient sunshine, guaranteeing a varied honey production. In case you don’t have a sweet tooth, why don’t you try the cheese, the wine, or the génépi ?
MARMOTS
This mascot of the mountains lives between 800m and 3000m high, and is easily recognizable by its characteristic sound. Chances are you will encounter one during a hike in the mountains! (Best period: from April to October). To view them from close by you can visit the Animal Park of Serre Ponçon («Le Parc Animalier»), along with other species such as chamois, deer and the golden eagle!
