Serre-Ponçon Lake - Between Baie Saint-Michel and Baie des Moulettes

This walk allows you to discover the Lac de Serre-Ponçon with some fairly wild sections. It also offers magnificent views of the surrounding peaks.

Details

803677
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.36 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 335 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 338 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 955 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 777 m

Photos

Description of the walk

(S/E) Start from Baie Saint-Michel beach in the commune of Chorges. Head south

(1) Take the path marked in yellow, following the signs for Chanteloube.

(2) Turn right at the crossroads to reach the Belvédère des Curattes (signposted).

(3) There are two orientation tables offering a beautiful 360° view of the surrounding mountains (Dévoluy, Ecrins, Queyras, Ubaye, etc.).
Take a path on the right marked in orange.

(4) Join the route marked in yellow and follow it to the right towards Chanteloube. At an altitude of 875 metres, you will reach a crossroads.

(5) Continue straight ahead towards Chanteloube.

(6) Follow the road to the left, cross Chanteloube and continue to Baie des Moulettes.

(7) Passing over and then under the bridge, take the road that runs alongside Baie des Moulettes.

(8) At the place called "Les Trémouilles 798m", head north towards Baie Saint-Michel. Follow a well-marked path that climbs north and returns to the original route at the crossroads at elevation 875.

(5) Turn right and return to the crossroads you passed on the way there.

(4) Take the path opposite, which leads back to the starting crossroads.

(2) Follow the same route as on the way there to reach Baie Saint-Michel beach (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 789 m - Baie Saint Michel beach - Lac de Serre-Ponçon
  2. 1 : km 0.27 - alt. 786 m - First signpost - La Durance
  3. 2 : km 2.02 - alt. 844 m - Turn right at the crossroads
  4. 3 : km 2.68 - alt. 955 m - Belvédère des Curattes
  5. 4 : km 3.45 - alt. 863 m - On the right, follow the yellow signposted path
  6. 5 : km 3.59 - alt. 873 m - Trail junction, opposite
  7. 6 : km 4.28 - alt. 832 m - Route to Chanteloube
  8. 7 : km 4.98 - alt. 791 m - Baie des Moulettes
  9. 8 : km 6.12 - alt. 791 m - Plage des Tremouilles
  10. S/E : km 9.36 - alt. 789 m - Baie Saint-Michel beach

Notes

The trail is fairly easy for the most part, but can become steep and slippery in short sections. Numerous ascents and descents allow you to cross several fords, which are usually dry.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 37 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.4 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
Alamaya
Alamaya

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 27, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Beautiful hike with magnificent views of the lake bays and mountains
Moderate difficulty, caution advised for children and those prone to vertigo, many ledge passages

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Micheldu01
Micheldu01

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 15, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

This route is clearly not suitable in rainy weather or after rainfall.
Unfortunately, there is no longer an orientation table at the Curates' Viewpoints, but the view remains spectacular
I think the distance is underestimated; it seemed much longer to us

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Tiliviou
Tiliviou

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Very easy hike in the cool woods most of the time with several views of the lake
Option to stop near the lake
Definitely the perfect hike for combining walking and relaxation

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User 3672543

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 17, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

We started the hike in the morning when there weren't many people around. On the way back around midday, there were significantly more people.
The route is very beautiful, winding through small canyons, through the forest and then near the lake. It's just magnificent.
The alternating ascents and descents are interesting, although quite tiring! There is a short section on a road, but fortunately it's not very long.

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Another Day In The Nature
Another Day In The Nature

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 02, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

At the end of winter, Lake Serre-Ponçon is a bit like a star without make-up: you discover its true face... and it's fascinating!
A very pretty hike with magnificent views that I made sure to film.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4TaMjiZ...

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sylvie couriol
sylvie couriol

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 11, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful hike with numerous views of the lake, a stunning panorama from the viewpoint and the beautiful Baie des Moulettes.

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François.62
François.62

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 26, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful hike with a few difficulties.
Beautiful view of the lake.

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Sylvie_et_Didier
Sylvie_et_Didier

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 28, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike with fantastic views of Lake Serre Ponçon. It requires a bit of effort, but you'll be rewarded quickly. Be careful when you reach Baie de Chanteloube, as the way back isn't very clear. Don't follow the sign for Baie Saint Michel.

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Samsteph14
Samsteph14

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 12, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful hike, a good climb on the way up. Great views, plenty of shade, lots of picnic tables after the water sports centre and nice places to swim.

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Sarrade
Sarrade

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 01, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant hike of moderate difficulty. Beautiful views of the lake and, in June, interesting varieties of flowers (pyramidal orchids, red helleborines, etc.).

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Sarrade
Sarrade

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 01, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant, moderately difficult short hike.

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ChauPloum
ChauPloum

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 20, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A fairly easy route with varied scenery. It is worth completing the route with the climb up to the viewpoint.

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Plateau d'Yzeron
Plateau d'Yzeron

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 05, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Beautiful landscapes, access to various beaches, including a naturist beach.

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ptr
ptr

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 11, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : No

apart from the views of Lake Serre-Ponçon, the hike is rather uninspiring.

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philipperob
philipperob
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 16, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike with numerous views of the lake.
Quite a few shaded areas.

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