Key facts

Distance: 233 km
Ascent: +7,383 m
Descent: −6,771 m
Estimated time: 22 hr 35; gravel
Difficulty: Difficult; official rating
Route: Point to point; ends elsewhere

Profile and gradient

under 10%
10 to 20%
over 20%

Surface and path types

Surface: Paved 43%
Dirt & gravel 56%
Unknown 1%
Path types: Trail 2%
Track 54%
Road 44%

Description

On your marks. Get set. Go! A 5-day tour covering almost 250km and over 8,000* metres of ascent. An extraordinary sporting challenge that also offers an insight into the diversity of the Haute-Alpes region. *Due to a technical problem, the actual altitude difference on the Tour du Lac de Serre-Ponçon is around 8,000m, and not 9,000m as announced in the route specifications. The Tour of Lake Serre-Ponçon (TSP) is back with a Gravel version! On the programme: great rolling DFCI tracks, interspersed with stretches of mountain gravel and amazing panoramic views. And for the particularly brave, there are a number of legendary passes and summits, including Mont Colombis, Parpaillon and Pontis. The most demanding ascent will be rewarded with one of the most beautiful balconies of this trip on the slopes of Mont Guillaume: the Chemin de la Baume.

Difficulty

Official rating: difficult, by Parc national des Écrins.

Getting there

Start: Embrun, Embrun (05).

Sources

Track: Parc national des Écrins, Licence Ouverte 2.0, Licence Ouverte 2.0 (Etalab) (destination.ecrins-parcnational.fr/trek/996160-Le-tour-du-lac-de-Serre-Poncon---Gravel). Time estimated by GPX Path with the Mac app rule, breaks not included.
Surface and path types: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL, extract of 28 October 2026, matched to the track every 10 m (openstreetmap.org/copyright)
Official elevation gain: 7,383 m, Parc national des Écrins

Around Lake Serre-Ponçon - Gravel