La Durance by Bike : Embrun – Chorges
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Embrun

3. La Durance by Bike : Embrun – Chorges

Lake and glacier
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From Briançon to Avignon, La Durance by Bike follows the V862 cycle route for 438 km, crossing four departments in the Région Sud. From the high-mountain landscapes of the Haute-Durance to the agricultural plains, orchards and lavender fields of Provence, the route passes through major historic sites, natural areas rich in biodiversity and several easily accessible urban centres.

In the Hautes-Alpes, the itinerary follows the Durance from the outskirts of Briançon, a fortified town listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, before continuing towards Embrun, Lake Serre-Ponçon, Gap and then Sisteron. Railway stations and transport connections punctuate the route, offering practical solutions for both touring cyclists and everyday journeys.

For more information and to discover all the stages, visit www.laduranceavelo.fr.

Where the impetuous Durance once flowed, human intervention has permanently reshaped the landscape, giving way to a vast expanse of water shimmering with shades of azure blue. Along the route, panoramic viewpoints, grey marl landscapes, mountain streams and larch forests follow one after another.
 
 
 

Description

1) From the lake, head towards Embrun town centre, then at the roundabout turn right, following signs for “Hôpital – Urgences”. Follow Avenue Alexandre Didier for 1 km and, when you reach a large stone wall, bear right. Join the D9 towards Puy-Sanières and, after a short warm-up, the real effort begins with a 6 km climb at an average gradient of 7%. This road offers beautiful viewpoints while passing through wooded areas and grey marl landscapes.

2) Continue past Puy-Sanières and head towards Réallon, still on the D9. The view opens up, offering a beautiful outlook over the Écrins massif. Rock formations, mountain streams and marl landscapes follow one another in an environment where deciduous trees and conifers mingle. Continue past Les Méans and, at the next junction, turn left downhill towards Savines-le-Lac on the D9.

3) Continue past Les Rousses and, at the roundabout, carry on towards Chorges on the D9 for a pleasant, gently sloping descent to the village of Saint-Apollinaire. Take a short break at the viewpoint, which offers a very beautiful view over Lake Serre-Ponçon, before continuing towards Chorges on the D9. Ride 8 km downhill, taking care to control your speed — it is easy to get carried away — until you reach the centre of Chorges.

  • Departure : Embrun
  • Arrival : Chorges
  • Towns crossed : Embrun, Puy-Sanières, Puy-Saint-Eusèbe, Réallon, Savines-le-Lac, Saint-Apollinaire, Prunières, and Chorges

Altimetric profile

Recommandations

Signposting
The route is continuously signposted from Briançon to Sisteron, using standard cycle route signage featuring the “Durance à Vélo” route logo.

Surface / safety
La Durance by Bike is a cycle route that follows a network of paved secondary roads. You will be sharing the road with motor vehicles. This is not a route on dedicated cycle paths.

To ride safely and comfortably on the road, suitable equipment is essential. From tyres and mechanical components to clothing, choose your gear according to your level and the type of ride planned.

Useful accessories such as saddle bags, spare parts to improve your ride, and clothing adapted to road cycling should not be overlooked. Both the cyclist’s equipment and the bike itself need to be carefully prepared.

Specific road cycling gear is designed for this type of practice. Cycling shorts, a cycling jersey, gloves, glasses and a helmet suitable for road biking are strongly recommended.

Information desks

Tourist office Chorges

Grand rue, 05230 Chorges

https://www.serreponcon.comchorges@serreponcon-tourisme.com0492506425

October to may : Monday to Saturday, 9.00 - 12.30 & 13.30 - 17.00.
April, may, june & september : Monday to Saturday, 9.00 - 12.30 & 14.30 - 18.00
July and August : Monday to Saturday, 9:00 – 12.30 & 14.30 – 19.00 Sunday 9.30 – 12.30

Closed on Thursdays outside French holidays’ periods
Closed on French national holidays, except 14th of July and 15th of August

Find out more

Tourist office Embrun

Place Général Dosse - BP 49, 05202 Embrun

https://www.serreponcon-tourisme.com/embrun@serreponcon-tourisme.com0492437272

October to march : Monday to Saturday, 9.00 - 12.30 & 13.30 - 17.00. 
April, may, june & september : Monday to Saturday, 9.00 - 12.30 & 14.30 - 18.00
July and August : Monday to Saturday, 9.00 - 19.00. Sundays, 10.00 - 12.30 & 16.00 - 19.00


On French national holidays (except 14th of July and 15th of August) : 9am to 1pm. Closed on the 1st of January, 1st of May, 25th December and 11th November
Closed on Thursdays outside French holidays’ periods

Find out more

Transport

From Gap:

Zou! regional bus network: Line 69 / Frequency: 5 times per day

More information: https://zou.maregionsud.fr
 
 
 

Access and parking

Parking :

Embrun lake car park

Sensitive areas

Along your trek, you will go through sensitive areas related to the presence of a specific species or environment. In these areas, an appropriate behaviour allows to contribute to their preservation. For detailed information, specific forms are accessible for each area.

Short-toed snake eagle

Impacted practices:
Aerial,
Sensitivity periods:
MarAprMayJunJulAugSep
Contact:
Parc National des Écrins
Julien Charron
julien.charron@ecrins-parcnational.fr
Find out more

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