[Sens Action] - Les géants de pierre (the stone giants) and the lion de Salados (lion of Salados)
View of the Serre-Ponçon lake throughout the tour.
4 points of interest
- Fauna
Marsh Fritillary
For several years now, the number of butterflies in our countries has fallen sharply. All too often, flower meadows have become fields of grasses sprayed with too many fertilisers and herbicides. The plants that used to host caterpillars (known as host plants) no longer grow and the flowers have almost disappeared. Fortunately, there are still a few little corners of paradise, like this one, that are home to a wide variety of butterflies! Take a break and absorb the variety of colours and shapes. Within this large family, some species are more famous than others... The Marsh Fritillary, which is protected at European level, is one of the species which justified the creation of the Natura 2000 site!
- Flora
Fox-tail Milkvetch
Growing to a spectacular size, the fox-tail Milkvetch is a species found in open mountainous environments, particularly dry, sunny grasslands. Although it is extremely sociable (often forming large population nuclei, as it does here) and locally abundant in several parts of the Hautes-Alpes, this species is rare in Europe and in France, which is why it is protected at European level. On the Piolit slope there are around ten known sites, which are well preserved thanks to extensive grazing. Walk carefully between the clumps of this beautiful, hairy plant that has made its home on this magnificent lookout! - Geology and geography
Pink marble quarries
The pink marble quarries at Salados have been worked since ancient times, when they were developed by the Romans who settled in the region. This high-altitude open-cast quarry is used to extract collapsed blocks from the Chabrières peaks. It is from the same vein as Guillestre. It was mainly used locally, and the largest construction site it supplied was Gap Cathedral in the late 19th century. Blocks weighing some 4 tonnes were brought down from the mountain by teams of quarrymen on carts as far as Gap.
- Flora
Lichen
Get your nose as close to the rock as you can and discover the wonderful world of lichens!
Description
The path climbs gently up .... before the first fork in the road.
2 - At the crossroads, take the wide path on the right (yellow markings)
3 - Stay on the main path and do not take the path up the slope on the left.
4 - At the new crossroads, take the path on the right to reach the main quarry and then the Salados plateau.
5 - You are now on the Salados plateau, a sensitive area. Please stay on the path.
The Salados lion (bas-relief sculpture) can be seen on one of the first boulders.
Cross the plateau to reach a lookout point overlooking the lake before heading back down.
6 - At "la Peyre de l'Aigle" you can discover a rock shelter, before heading downhill to the left to rejoin the uphill path, and the car park.
Game instructions:
When you come across a marker, look for a "History cache" within a circle of 20 paces around you.
Once you've found the "cache", take a break and discover the adventures of our heroes!
Relive the Sens action challenges, close and replace the "cache" before continuing.
Be prepared, and set off equipped for the hike. Walking and playing times are given as a guide and calculated for children aged 6 and over.
Playing time: 2h30
Walking time: 2h30
Materials: notebook and pencil
Sens'action: 7
- Departure : Les 4 chemins, track after Pomeyret
- Arrival : Les 4 chemins, track after Pomeyret
- Towns crossed : Chorges
Altimetric profile
Information desks
Tourist office Chorges
Grand rue, 05230 Chorges
October to may : Monday to Saturday, 9.00 - 12.30 & 13.30 - 17.00.
April, may, june & september : Monday to Saturday, 9.00 - 12.30 & 14.30 - 18.00
July and August : Monday to Saturday, 9:00 – 12.30 & 14.30 – 19.00 Sunday 9.30 – 12.30
Closed on Thursdays outside French holidays’ periods
Closed on French national holidays, except 14th of July and 15th of August
Transport
Access and parking
After the junction for Prunières (on the right) stay on the D9 and continue for 2km, before turning left towards Pomeyret.
After reaching Le Pomeyret, take a hairpin bend next to a farmhouse and follow the gravel path for over a kilometre before turning right to reach the car park.
Parking :
Source
Report a problem or an error
If you have found an error on this page or if you have noticed any problems during your hike, please report them to us here: