Serre Renard

Key facts

Distance: 30.5 km
Ascent: +1,070 m
Descent: −956 m
Estimated time: 4 hr 05; mtb
Difficulty: Difficult; official rating
Route: Loop; back to the start

Profile and gradient

under 10%
10 to 20%
over 20%

Surface and path types

Surface: Paved 34%
Dirt & gravel 62%
Unknown 4%
Path types: Trail 34%
Track 32%
Road 34%

Description

A sporty and technical route from the Col de Lebraut to the banks of the lake. The route is a unique playground of technical ascents and descents, with a unique view of lake Serre-Ponçon, the dam and the Ubaye and Avance valleys. There are several picnic tables at the top of the route, where you can take a break and enjoy a snack. - From the SNCF station, head towards Intermarché, then take the level crossing and continue to the left, before the level crossing turn right towards "Le Fein". - When the path descends again, turn right to reach "Les Olliviers". After passing the chapel, take a sharp left onto a wider road, continuing for over a kilometre before entering a single track on the left-hand side of the road. - Turn right towards Col Lebraut, then after a few kilometres take a passable track to the right. Continue on the widest path and pass the "Champ du Comte" forest hut and the "Croix des Sept Frères". - At the "Clot Clavary" hut take the middle path which alternates between ascents and descents as far as the lookout. Then take the path that winds up to Col Lebraut, where the path continues on the left for a short climb. - Once you reach the last lookout, above the "Hyvans" continue straight on towards the dam. At "Hyvans" join the road that goes up to the left. - After a few kilometres on the road, leave it to join a path that heads deep into the forest. Take the second road for a few metres to cross it, then continue on the footpath. - Join the road on the right, then follow it in the direction of "Chorges". When you reach the "Les Horizons du lac" hotel, leave the main road and head towards "Villard". Take the path ascending to the left and cross all the fields and the railway line. - Reach the road on the left and continue straight on to the level crossing. After the level crossing, turn right and follow the original route in the opposite direction.

Difficulty

Official rating: difficult, by Parc national des Écrins.

Getting there

Start: Chorges, Chorges (05).

Sources

Track: Parc national des Écrins, Licence Ouverte 2.0, Licence Ouverte 2.0 (Etalab) (destination.ecrins-parcnational.fr/trek/996585-N18---Serre-Renard). 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: 1,070 m, Parc national des Écrins