Bachas path from Puy-Sanières

Parking at the Puy Sanières town hall. Car park below, if full park above.

Blue markings

(S/E) Take the tarmac road for 200 m, heading west towards Puy Saint-Eusèbe. Go past the cemetery to reach Les Vignets (with a short diversions to the church above).

(1) At the sign for Les Vignets, leave the tarmac road and take the footpath that climbs to the right and runs alongside the stream. This is a brand-new footpath that will not be well marked until spring 2023. Follow the stream north as far as the reservoir, then turn slightly right and continue up an old track (stone walls on either side). When you reach the forest track, cross it to reach the lock 30 m further on.

(2) Follow the Sentier des Fontaines. Join a forest track, head north-west for 120 m, then turn right, still on the Sentier des Fontaines, until you reach the track.

(3) Leave the Sentier des Fontaines and head north up the wood track. After 120 m, the track becomes a well-marked path that continues to climb, heading north-west. On the left, notice a downhill mountain bike trail that zigzags in parallel with it. Join a track under the high-voltage power line.

End of markings

(4) Cross the track to take the path opposite, which soon bends to the north-west; you can already see the hamlets and church of Puy Saint-Eusèbe below. Reach a crossroads of 4 paths.

(5) Head in the opposite direction, then zigzag upwards in a general easterly direction, crossing an old timber track several times. A little further up, cross a large rock dump heading north-east, before plunging back into the woods and forking off north-west, still climbing. This brings you to the paragliding area, with a beautiful view of the lake and the Morgon.

(6) Leave the forest track on your right and take a small path heading north, which is not well marked at first but climbs steeply until it joins the track again. Turn left and head west for 300m to Les Bachas (which means wooden drinking troughs in local dialect).
This is the highest point on the way out. Here you will find a signpost called Cabanette.

(7) Do not take the path downhill at the post, but turn around for 100 m, then leave the track to take a path that dips to the right at a small cairn. Descend this path, which meanders and intersects several times with the steeper path mentioned above. After two zigzags, continue downhill on the number 4 MTB-marked path to reach the crossroads you passed earlier.

(5) Turn right and take the opposite route to return to the parking area (S/E).

Bring plenty of water, as the springs along the route do not always flow. Good shoes and poles are highly recommended.
Beware, this walk has steep gradients in places. Some sections are also used by mountain bikes.
The first section of the trail between Les Vignets and L'écluse has only recently been created, and the path is poorly marked and stony.
Check the weather forecast before setting off, as the weather can change quickly.

(2) The lock, a lovely shady spot for a picnic on the way home, for example.
(6) Beautiful view of Serre-Ponçon.