3 family walks with picnic

3 family hikes with picnic starting from the Les Orres resort

Nestled in the Hautes-Alpes, above the Embrun valley and Lac de Serre-Ponçon, the resort of Les Orres offers an ideal playground for nature lovers and budding explorers. Mountain vacations also mean easy walks with the prospect of a delicious picnic at the end of the trail. What better way to convince the kids to come along than to combine family outings with a country-style meal!

In this article, we reveal three must-do walks, specially chosen for their accessibility and charm. An invitation to discover and share moments together. Put on your hiking boots, pack your lunch baskets and set off on an adventure along the trails of Les Orres!

HIKE IDEA N°1

LA BERGERIE GAUTIER

At a place called "Pra Paisset", on the road between Les Orres 1650 and 1800, the parking lot allows you to park at the start of the walk. The walk starts after the barrier, on a forest track. Shaded, it's ideal for hot weather.

As you go along, the trees give way to impressive cliffs on your right. The trail is wide and presents no technical difficulties. Children can run, exercise and discover the wonders of nature in complete tranquillity. The walk is even suitable for all-terrain baby carriages. After a few hundred meters, the path climbs gently, enough to whet your appetite for the outdoor lunch that awaits you!

You'll reach the Bergerie Gautier after about 45 minutes' walk. You can be curious and take a look inside this shepherd's hut with its log floor. In a bucolic clearing , in the shade of the trees, near a spring that sings softly, a picnic area welcomes your improvised feast. Tables or benches for some, blankets spread out on the grass for others, spring water at your disposal, everyone enjoys a well-deserved meal!

PRACTICAL INFO

• Start: Prat Paisset parking lot, on the road between Les Orres 1650 and 1800
• Distance: 1.6 km
• Walking time: approx. 1h
• Difference in altitude: 44 m
• Trail no. 1 on the Les Orres hiking map

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HIKE IDEA #2

LE LAC COLLINAIRE GRAND CLOS

The Grand Clos hillside lake in Les Orres transforms itself into a mirror lake reflecting the landscape, whatever the season. In the heart of the forest, it's the perfect spot for a gourmet break in the countryside! The colder the water, the better the snow, and the less energy it takes to produce. That's why the lake is only fully filled at the very end of summer, when temperatures start to drop.

We suggest 2 itineraries to reach the reservoir.

^1st ROUTE: Departure on foot from Les Orres 1650

Once you've parked at the Épervière parking lot or in Les Orres 1650, take the path at the far end of the parking lot. This little path, sheltered by the shade of the larch trees and punctuated by playful roots, leads to a ski slope. Follow this track for 80 metres to the "Clot la reine" sign and head for "Le lac collinaire du Grand Clos". A direction you'll keep for the rest of your walk! Then you're back in the beautiful forests of Les Orres. The narrow path follows an old canal used to irrigate crops.

At the next junction, a slightly steep climb will heat up your legs and lungs! Who doesn't think of the picnic that waits patiently in the bag at such times! You pass the pretty Nain Rouge hut. A little more effort and you've reached the reservoir. All that's left is to find the ideal spot to share food, naps and good times! Return by the same route.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

• Departure point: Épervière parking lot, at the end of the allée des Chamois, Les Orres 1650
• Distance: 3.15 km
• Walking time: approx. 1h30 round trip
• Ascent: 145 m D+ (gradient)
• Trail no. 08 on the Les Orres topo-rando(on sale at the Tourist Office)
• You may cross pastures (cows). Keep well clear of the herd and keep your dogs on a leash.

^2nd ROUTE "Au frais des mélèzes": departure from the top of the Pic Vert chairlift

This itinerary takes you from the heights of the resort down to the hillside lake. To get to the start, take the Pic Vert chairlift (ask about opening times and lift fares), located on the Les Orres 1650 snow front, for an effortless way to gain altitude! Once there, it's a leisurely descent through the countryside to the hillside lake. Longer and downhill, the path winds through the cool , calm larch forests.

Be sure to follow the n°6 pedestrian signposts to stay on the right path and avoid veering off onto the n°6 mountain bike trail.

Once you've had a break, continue to follow footpath n°6 back to Les Orres 1650.

PRACTICAL INFO

• Departure: Pic Vert chairlift exit
• Distance: 4.7 km
• Walking time: approx. 2h30
• Negative vertical drop: 580 m D-
• Trail no. 6 on the Les Orres hiking map ("Au frais des mélèzes")

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💡WHAT IS A HILLSIDE LAKE?

A hillside lake in a ski resort is a cleverly installed mountain water reserve . Imagine a large basin built into the hillside, ready to capture rainwater and snowmelt. What's the point, you might ask? This reservoir stores a large quantity of water at altitude, which is crucial for producing snow when winter weather isn't generous enough. As a result, the slopes stay open and skiers can continue to enjoy the pleasures of the slopes.

HIKE IDEA N°3

LAC DE SAINTE-MARGUERITE

Lac de Sainte-Marguerite is THE emblematic hike of Les Orres. Longer and more uneven than the two previous hikes, it requires a little more effort. These efforts will be amply rewarded by a bucolic picnic by the lake, set against a backdrop of lush alpine meadows and mountain landscapes.

There are several possible routes to reach Lac de Sainte-Marguerite. We suggest 2 routes.

^1st ROUTE: Departure on foot from Les Orres 1650 or Les Orres 1800

From Les Orres 1650, follow the pretty Elie Meyssirel footpath to Les Orres 1800. Once you've reached the 1800 snow front, walk up to the pastures. The start of the path is on the edge of the forest: follow the signs! This small, shady path rises gently to reach the lake, passing the ruins of an old hut and crossing a torrent on a wooden footbridge.

You can shorten the walk by setting off directly from Les Orres 1800.

To return, either follow the same itinerary, or head for the Cabane de berger to take the forest track down to the Pra Païsset parking lot. Beware: the forest track has a steep and sometimes slippery downhill profile. For experienced walkers only. At the Bergerie Gautier, a path on the right leads back to Les Orres 1800. Take the Elie Meyssirel footpath to Les Orres 1650.

PRACTICAL INFO

• Start: Les Orres 1650 (or Les Orres 1800)
• Distance: 11.70 km
• Walking time: approx. 4h30 AR
• Difference in altitude: 645 m D +
• Trail no. 14 on the Les Orres topo-rando(on sale at the Tourist Office)

^2nd ROUTE: departure from the top of the Prélongis chairlift

To reach the lake (almost) effortlessly, take the Prélongis chairlift! At the top of the chairlift, take path "5 bis"on your right. This trail has a downhill profile: 5 km and 350 m of ascent will take you to your picnic spot.

The return journey takes you along trail no. 5, a very pretty path that leads to Les Orres 1800 and then Les Orres 1650 (take the Elie Meyssirel footpath to Les Orres 1650)

PRACTICAL INFO

• Departure point: top of Prélongis chairlift
• Distance: 5 km
• Walking time: approx. 2 hours to the lake, then approx. 1.5 hours back to the resort
• Negative altitude difference: 350 m D -

Prepare your picnic
Local delicacies and products

To make your gourmet outing a success, you'll find everything you need in the Les Orres resort: local produce, cheese, sausages, ham, food stores, drinks...

See the list of shops in Les Orres below!