Savines-le-Lac as seen from Les Eygoires

Coming from Savines-le-Lac towards Barcelonnette, park your car in the small car park on the right before the bridge and before the Eygoires municipal campsite.

(S/E) Opposite the car park, head up alongside the stream along a small path which, due to a lack of maintenance, is no longer signposted at the roadside.

(1) 150 metres further on, take the path on the left. This is where the ‘real’ climb begins.

(2) At the first junction, do not turn right towards Pierre Arnoux but turn left and follow the path.
Further on, do not take the small path that descends to the left towards Savines.

(3) Continue slightly to the right.
Walk past “the big oak tree”. At the next junction, do the same: keep to the left and follow the path to the fitness trail. Once again, do not turn right towards Pierre Arnoux; continue straight ahead. The path descends to the Barnafret stream.

(4) Cross the stream to reach the small forest track; take this to the left for 150 metres, then turn right above the water reservoir.

Follow this small path, which runs above the houses, to the Impasse du Paradisier, where you turn left.
You’ll reach the RN94; take a short detour to the left to climb back up above the town hall towards the church. Go straight on at the roundabout to reach the very end of Rue du Morgon, then head down it to the right until you reach the RD954; after crossing it, turn left and follow the road for 150 metres.

(5) Leave the road to the right after the car park and head down Rue du Perdiguier to the lakeside.
Follow the lake, passing the bouncy castles (oh, it’s not a pretty sight…), then take the new, small tarmac path that climbs up in front of you and leads you back to the Rd954, which you’ll follow to the right until you reach the car park (S/E).

It’s a walk, but it’s best to wear walking shoes as the climb is over rocky ground.
There are no drinking fountains along the forest section of the route, but you’ll find some in town and by the lake.

You can shorten the route by avoiding the town. To do this, simply follow the small path on the left just before (4), which runs alongside the stream, to the motorhome site on the edge of the D954, and then resume the route described above by turning left after crossing the road.
It’s a lovely and enjoyable walk along this little path.