Tour of Lake L'Escale

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A very easy, flat walk around Lake L'Escale. You may spot many birds, so bring your binoculars! Although the road is often nearby, the path is always separate from the carriageway.

Details

n°40573248
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.89 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 00 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 8 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 10 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 443 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 429 m
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Photos

View of the lake from the path between points (1) and (2)
View of the lake from the wildlife observation pontoon (3)
Footbridge over the Durance, view of the campsite, point (1)

Description of the walk

Head towards the Château-Arnoux-Saint-Auban campsite and park next to the playground, close to the ponds.

(S/E) Cross between the two ponds, turn left, walk along the campsite and follow the path to the footbridge over the Durance.

(1) Cross over, turn right along the archery range and take the shaded path to Oratoire Saint-Roch.

(2) The path then runs alongside the road to a pontoon where you can observe the wildlife. There are three picnic tables nearby.

(3) Continue along the path and join the EDF canal.

(4) Cross over and, turning right, follow the edge to the dam.

(5) After the dam, follow the signs for "Camping" and pass under the railway line.

(6) Immediately afterwards, head towards the lake where there is a viewpoint for observing wildlife.

(7). From there, return to the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 435 m - Playground near the campsite.
  2. 1 : km 1.09 - alt. 436 m - Footbridge over the Durance
  3. 2 : km 2.17 - alt. 432 m - Saint-Roch Oratory
  4. 3 : km 3.48 - alt. 432 m - Observatory/picnic area
  5. 4 : km 4.77 - alt. 432 m - EDF canal
  6. 5 : km 5.39 - alt. 432 m - Dam
  7. 6 : km 6.33 - alt. 433 m - Passage under the railway line.
  8. 7 : km 6.56 - alt. 433 m - Old pier
  9. S/E : km 6.89 - alt. 433 m - Playground near the campsite.

Notes

Flat path.

Reviews and comments

4.2 / 5
Based on 7 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.3 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
3.6 / 5
astjc
astjc

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 29, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

Easy route and very well protected when following the road

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User 26699078
• Edited:

after climbing up to Les Mees, this hike was very disappointing. We thought we would be walking near the water, but that wasn't the case, and walking near the road was anything but pleasant
but one out of two in a day isn't too bad

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marquounet
marquounet

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 21, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant walk to do during the week (quieter) extend the route with a detour to Volonne... a village on the Route Napoléon...

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PuceEdwige1957
PuceEdwige1957

Overall rating : 2.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 09, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : Yes

The lake is not very visible from the route. Close to the road.

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christiangallerne
christiangallerne
• Edited:

A pleasant stroll after lunch, but not particularly interesting... except for the staircase at Château Arnoux Town Hall.

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bottle
bottle
• Edited:

The appeal of this hike is limited. You don't see much of the "lake". You follow the busy road (even though you are protected by the safety barrier).

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Claraazimut
Claraazimut

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

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

I did this walk with my dog. It's a lovely, easy walk around the lake, but more than half of it is on a path alongside the road with no shade, which makes it a little less pleasant...

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joc772
joc772

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

The date may not have been well chosen for bird watching. Much of it was close to the road.

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sylviecrut
sylviecrut

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 18, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A great classic for a peaceful stroll for everyone, very pleasant, popular but not overcrowded, definitely worth repeating!

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briançonéric
briançonéric

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 15, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Well-maintained route, enjoyable and interesting for the history of the area.

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