The Liou wetland

Description

Unique in the Hautes-Alpes, in the heart of a sensitive natural area, discover the richness of this specific environment by following a path on stilts that takes you into a nature that is usually inaccessible. On-site, make your walk interactive by using your mobile phone to connect to the DNS marker on the "eco-balade" page. You'll then have access to the flora and fauna you can observe around you. Accessible to all, the trail is made up of a mosaic of landscapes and has been specially designed on stilts to preserve the ecosystem. Passing discreetly over the water, discover the wealth of natural habitats as you cross a forest drowned in the sandy fill of the Lac de Serre-Ponçon. And all this right next to a shopping area! At the start of the cul-de-sac used as a car park is the explanatory panel marking the start of the Petit Liou wetland discovery trail. This is where you can log on to the "eco-balade" page, which serves as a guide and information document for the walk. Take the path towards the river. Turn right, and walk down along La Durance. A hundred or so metres further on, the stilted path begins on the left. It is possible to make a round trip to the end of the dam from this point. The path is interrupted by a vague track that you must follow in the direction of the lake for around a hundred metres. The path starts again on the left and soon gives way to a wooden footbridge over the water. Follow the path on stilts along the information panels about the area you have crossed until you reach an observation tower overlooking Lac de Serre-Ponçon. From there, return by the same route.

Difficulty

Official rating: very easy, by Parc national des Écrins.

Getting there

Start: Zone commerciale "Les portes du Lac", Baratier (05).

Sources

• Track: Parc national des Écrins, Licence Ouverte 2.0, Licence Ouverte 2.0 (Etalab) (destination.ecrins-parcnational.fr/trek/995608-La-zone-humide-du-Liou). Time estimated by GPX Path with the Mac app rule, breaks not included.
• Official elevation gain: 2 m, Parc national des Écrins