Col Banier

Below the stunning Lac de Serre-Poncon, this 17 km route takes you effortlessly through a valley and beautiful forested area, with plenty of picnic spots and viewpoints along the way.

Starting from Embrun, head towards Crots on the N 94, then follow the D 90. Drive through the small village, passing a lovely medieval castle, and at the end of the last houses, you'll reach a wide gravel track. Initially, the path leads across fields beore entering the forest. Right along the track, there's a lovely picnic spot with fa grill and wooden benches. The track winds uphill with several hairpin turns, leading to a spring. The next section is covered in fine gravel. A detour takes you to a magnificent viewpoint, the Belvedere de Plat Aiguille, where you can enjoy expansive views over the valley, the turquoise-colored reservoir, and the surrounding Durance foothills.
After the Col Banier, the track becomes rough with potholes, and another spring invites you to refresh. Continuing through the forest, you'll cross two small rivers via bridges. The final section of the route passes along the shore of the Torrent de L'Eyssalette, where another shady, cozy picnic area awaits. After crossing a shallow ford, you'll descend to the first houses and farms of the village of Melezet, where the tour ends. From here, take the winding D 40 back to the starting point.