(S/E) From the car park, head to Saint-Julien beach. Opposite the beach, take the wooden steps on the right which lead to a car park above the beach, then take the path on the left through the woods which runs along the lake on the right. Signposts indicate the start of a hiking trail towards Lac d'Esparron and the place called "Le Quartier". You are on theGRP® Verdon and the trail is marked in yellow and red.
The trail runs alongside Lac d'Esparron. Several times, the trail joins a trail on the right below for a few metres before climbing back up to the main trail overlooking the lake.
(1) Ignore a bridge on the right and continue along Lac d'Esparron on the GRP®. The trail then leaves the lake and climbs above it in an open, unshaded area. The trail then joins a wider track.
(2) Take the track on the left to reach the signpost for "Lac d'Esparron" near the public toilets
(3) Continue along the trail towards the "Ponton du lac" (lake pontoon). You will then reach small beaches on the lake shore. Walk around the peninsula, staying on the trail closest to the lake.
(4) You will come to another signpost and continue along the path towards "Le Quartier".
(5) At the junction with a stone bridge, cross the bridge to rejoin the track you were on previously.
(2) Go up the track on the left towards "Le Quartier".
(6) At a large trail junction, take the trail on the right, then at the next intersection, take the trail that climbs to the right and almost immediately a narrower trail on the left. You will then join a new trail.
(7) Turn right at an acute angle onto this new path and stay on the main path through the woods.
(8) After 2 km, you will come to a track that descends to the right. Take it and join a small path. Turn right for a few metres and look for a small track that branches off to the left and joins a new path. (
, we missed this junction on the first pass, so be careful to find the path.
(9) Turn right and stay on the path for about 1 km, then turn left onto the cross path.
(10) Take a path on the right, then right again at the next intersection. Continue on the main path until you reach the road overlooking the lake.
(11) Then turn right to reach the car park via the road (S/E).