The banks of Serre-Ponçon
Embrun

The banks of Serre-Ponçon

History and architecture
Lake and glacier
Panorama
Embed this item to access it offline
A relatively short loop that is nonetheless very varied. You'll enjoy some beautiful views of the mountains and, on the way back, an open panorama of the Durance and its valley.
This route includes a number of passages specially designed for safe cycling. So it's suitable for ages 7 to 77! Pleasant paths take you between mountain landscapes and farmland. The return journey to Embrun follows a cycle path along the banks of Lake Serre-Ponçon.

2 points of interest

  • Water

    Irrigation canals

    You will come across numerous irrigation canals in the fields and along the roadsides. They are distributed strategically so that the various plots can be irrigated, by opening and closing valves. This age-old technique makes it possible to control the water flows according the farmers' needss.
  • Flora

    Bladder campion

    This plant is a member of the carnation family. This campion can be recognised primarily by the flower calyx. This is inflated into a roundish shape. A very common plant across the department of Hautes-Alpes, it produces white flowers from April to September. The petals of the bladder campion can lose their turgidity and wilt during the day, but they regain their shape at night.

Description

  1. From the car park, take the footbridge over the Durance. Follow the cycle path towards Baratier (short section under the N94) and head towards a roundabout.

  2. Take the second exit towards La Mure (D240), drive 100 m then take another right fork. At the next crow's-foot intersection, take the Chemin du Grand Liou, which continues to the right.

  3. Continue straight on, skirting fields, until you reach the village of Crots. Cross it heading west while admiring the château of Picomtal.

  4. Just before you reach the N94, take a small tarmac road to the right and go through a tunnel to find yourself on the other side of the N94.

  5. Now head towards the lake and then set off along the dyke, with Embrun as a backdrop. Rejoin the footbridge over the Durance to return to the starting point.
  • Departure : Embrun lake car park
  • Arrival : Embrun lake car park
  • Towns crossed : Embrun, Baratier, and Crots

Altimetric profile

Information desks

Tourist office Embrun

Place Général Dosse - BP 49, 05202 Embrun

https://www.serreponcon-tourisme.com/embrun@serreponcon-tourisme.com0492437272

October to march : 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 - 19.00. Sundays, 10.00 - 12.30 & 16.00 - 19.00


On French national holidays (except 14th of July and 15th of August) : 9am to 1pm. Closed on the 1st of January, 1st of May, 25th December and 11th November
Closed on Thursdays outside French holidays’ periods

Find out more

Transport

From Gap:
  • Zou! network : Line 69 / Frequency : 5 times a day
More information: https://zou.maregionsud.fr

Access and parking

Follow the N94 from Gap or Briançon towards Embrun, then as far as the car park at the dam (D467).

Parking :

Embrun lake car park

More information

Weather Embrun

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: