Tour of Pont Baldy Lake

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An easy hike between Vauban fortifications and the turquoise waters of Lake Pont Baldy.

Details

n°463048
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 12.84 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 10 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 528 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 529 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,470 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,202 m
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Photos

Lake Pont-Baldy
Communication Y
The Asfeld Bridge

Description of the walk

Departure from Place d'Armes.

(S/E) Go down Grande Gargouille (Grande Rue). Turn left, pass in front of the Maison du Parc des Ecrins and the Town Hall. Walk along the ramparts to the gate that leads to a path.

(1) Take this path and cross the Asfeld bridge over the Durance.

(2) At the crossroads, take the path on the right that passes between the Forts des Trois Têtes and Fort Dauphin. At the next crossroads, leave the two access roads to the forts on either side and continue to the right. The path descends gently towards the Communication Y, follow this and you will come to a fork.

(3) Continue straight ahead on the small road until you reach the intersection with Avenue du Col d'Izoard (there is virtually no traffic). Walk about 150 metres along the side of the road (take care) until you reach a path that descends to the right.

(4) Take this path down to the dam and enjoy a beautiful view of the lake (now's the time to get out your sandwiches for lunch).

(5) To walk around the lake, retrace your steps slightly and take a small path marked on the right. Follow this path until it joins the Col d'Izoard road. Continue carefully along the road to the right until a path descends on the right.

(6) Go down the path, leave the hut on your right and cross the Cerveyrette via the footbridge. Then go back up to the forest path.

(7) Follow this path overlooking the lake. When you reach the dam, ignore the path on the left and continue along the path until the next intersection.

(8) Take the path that descends to the right towards the dam for about 150 metres. At the next intersection, turn left onto the path that zigzags gently through the forest and descends almost to the Cerveyrette.

(9) 120 metres after a small disused factory, turn right to cross the Cerveyrette. Take the path on the left at the end of the footbridge and follow it to the first houses. At the junction with Rue Saint-Roch, turn left and then immediately right onto Rue Alfred Mondet.

(10) At the roundabout, take the first right onto Rue Joseph Silvestre. Continue straight ahead on Rue Pasteur, cross the Durance river and continue on Rue Centrale.

(11) At the roundabout, take Avenue de la République (first right), which goes straight up to the Cité Vauban.

(12) Enter the old town via the Porte d'Embrun. Then turn left to go up Grande Gargouille and return to the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,315 m - The Great Gargoyle
  2. 1 : km 0.35 - alt. 1,318 m - Chemin du pont d'Asfeld . Cross the bridge on the - La Durance
  3. 2 : km 0.82 - alt. 1,310 m - Crossroads, right towards the - Fort des Têtes
  4. 3 : km 2.97 - alt. 1,379 m - Junction, straight ahead
  5. 4 : km 3.8 - alt. 1,382 m - Leave the road and take the path on the right
  6. 5 : km 4.34 - alt. 1,322 m - Viewpoint over the lake
  7. 6 : km 6.06 - alt. 1,437 m - Leave the road and take the path on the right
  8. 7 : km 6.77 - alt. 1,422 m - Take the forest path
  9. 8 : km 8.57 - alt. 1,359 m - At the fork, take the path on the right
  10. 9 : km 9.69 - alt. 1,234 m - Crossing the - Cerveyrette (rivière)
  11. 10 : km 10.76 - alt. 1,214 m - At the roundabout, take the first right
  12. 11 : km 11.96 - alt. 1,214 m - At the roundabout, take the first right
  13. 12 : km 12.59 - alt. 1,283 m - Embrun Gate
  14. S/E : km 12.84 - alt. 1,314 m - The Great Gargoyle

Notes

No particular difficulty.
Around the lake, the trail is mostly shaded.

Worth a visit

Places to visit:
- vauban's city
- asfeld Bridge
- the Fort des Trois Têtes
- fort Dauphin
- communication Y

Reviews and comments

4.4 / 5
Based on 18 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.4 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.3 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
User 22580717

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 26, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike, easy to do regardless of age.
The return trip along the southern shore of the lake is rocky, requiring suitable walking shoes.
There are a few steep sections on the north shore, but the views of the lake make it well worth the effort.
Don't hesitate to give it a go.
It doesn't matter where you start or finish in the town.

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Jeanlabat
Jeanlabat
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 19, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We did this hike on a gloomy, almost rainy day in August. We decided to start at point 3 (free parking nearby) to avoid paying for parking at Place d'Armes (which isn't cheap!). We took the small path above the Fort des Têtes road, which starts just after point 3 and joins the road (quite busy in summer) about 200 metres before point 4. The route is quite pretty, especially around the lake, with beautiful views between points 5 and 6. Just before point 11, we preferred to take the paths (Chemin des Pommiers d'Antan) at the top of the Parc de la Schappe, which end in a fairly steep climb (with steps in places). You rejoin the route just before point 12 (it's more pleasant than walking along the Avenue de la République). Once you reach the Cité Vauban, you can take the opportunity to walk up and down the Grande Rue (a lively shopping street). After a winding climb to the Fort des Trois Têtes, we returned to our starting point (no. 3). This beautiful loop would have been more enjoyable if the weather had been a little kinder, but it was still very pleasant!

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Robdo
Robdo
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike that goes around a fort before descending to the lake, which is skirted by a lovely shaded path. There are a few sections on the road on the way there and a wide, less interesting path on the way back, but it's an ideal walk for the whole family

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nomisimon
nomisimon

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

We cycled this circular in the autumn colours, it was superb.
Two comments about the route:
access to the dam is prohibited.
However, along the path after the dam junction, there are several viewpoints overlooking the lake.
When we arrived in Briançon, we did not follow the city route, but took the GR trail that climbs above the park, which is more bucolic.

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alain83400
alain83400

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 06, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very interesting hike to discover Briançon, the Asfeld bridge and the beautiful Pont Baldy lake. The return trip along the southern shore of the lake is less interesting, but the section along the Cerveyrette is cool and pleasant.
An easy and enjoyable hike. I didn't encounter any terrorists; Alex Hugo had been there before me

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TIFTUF65
TIFTUF65

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 20, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

circular starting from the ramparts of the fortified city. Paid parking, but during school holidays you can park at the high school car park. Pleasant, relatively shaded route. the lake is clearly visible if you walk a little further along the path that is closed at point 4. At point 9, after crossing the Cerveyrette, there is a pleasant dirt track with a "levada" and, at the end before the houses, a pleasant spot for a break.
this route offers views of two forts in Briançon. Thank you for this route

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Randonneuse34
Randonneuse34

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 24, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike around the bright blue lake. A walk with different aspects. First, passing by the forts with views of Briançon and the mountains. Then to the lake surrounded by nature. Arrival at the Servières bridge via a pretty little path.
A very pleasant change of scenery!
Be careful not to go down to the dam, as it is forbidden!

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lougris
lougris

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 08, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : No

Thank you for this trail. I did the hike under a cloudless blue sky. I didn't meet anyone.
Far too much road for me.

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globo34
globo34
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 26, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike without too much difficulty.
Be careful in bad weather, as there are many wet sections and a ford to cross to get to the other side.
Thank you for this lovely route 👍

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Clémentgaubard
Clémentgaubard

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 28, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

This is a beautiful hike around a lake, passing through one of Briançon's famous ports. There are tables for lunch along the route, which is very welcome. The trail is not too technical or demanding on the legs.
The end of the hike is magnificent, as it runs alongside a beautiful stream.

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Mariphm
Mariphm

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

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

A beautiful hike, especially around the lake! Be careful if you suffer from vertigo, as the first part around the lake is almost on the hillside on a fairly narrow path, with a very steep view (but superb!). A very nice section crosses the Cerveyrette stream via a small wooden bridge. Be careful at the Grande Maye ravine. To cross it, we held onto roots protruding from the ground to climb the small slope.

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Helene102
Helene102
• Edited:

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 01, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

I know this route because I've done it before. It's very pleasant.
Point 4, which leads to the viewpoint, is theoretically inaccessible, but there is a barrier that is easy to cross.
There must have been landslides because the passage is very tricky to cross the Grande Maye ravine between points 6 and 7. I tried at two places, but as I was hiking alone, I decided to turn back. I met a couple of hikers who had crossed the passage.
You can shorten the route to just go around the lake, starting from Pont de Cervieres, the school car park behind the boys' gymnasium, then take the canal path to the left of the church.

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Bougnat63
Bougnat63

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 21, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

We only did half the hike because in mid-March, the left bank of the lake was still very icy and dangerous.
However, the right bank on the sunny side was very sunny. Four lookout points have been set up overlooking the lake, offering breathtaking views of the lake and the dam.
One viewpoint even has a picnic table, the one at the far end of the lake opposite the dam.
Please note that the footbridge next to the dam, which is marked on some IGN maps, no longer exists. It has been destroyed.

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PROREL
PROREL

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 19, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A relatively easy hike with various stunning views of the lake and dam.
You don't have to walk through the town; you can park in the MJC car park, for example, or even closer to the dam.

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Perruchot1904
Perruchot1904

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 13, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing

Most of the journey takes place in the city!

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