Microaventure gravel
Quentin Clavel
An adventurer at heart, Quentin is a seasoned explorer with a passion for adventure. From Patagonia to Africa, by bike or on foot, he shares his adventures through stories and films that take us on a journey around the world. An avid cyclist based in Savoie, he took part in a weekend microadventure in the Serre-Ponçon valleys. His objective: to travel without a car and discover this ideal playground for gravel, between mountains, countryside, vineyards, lake and rivers. Ready to embark?
Day 1: Gravel from Gap station to Serre l'Eyglier lookout point
A gravel weekend accessible by train!
From Le Bourget-du-Lac, via Grenoble, Quentin took his gravel bike to Gap by train. Just a few pedal strokes from the station and you're out of town and into the Avance valleys. The adventure begins! With forest tracks ideal for gravel, small country roads and open views of the first peaks of the Hautes-Alpes, the scene is set.
The Col de Moissière gravel run
After this great warm-up through the countryside, Quentin passes through the village of La Bâtie-Neuve - perfect for a water and provisions stop - before tackling the Col de Moissière through the superb Sapet forest. Halfway up, it forks onto a recently renovated forest track, winding its way through a resolutely mountainous atmosphere.
Serre l'eyglier: bivouac spot in the Serre Ponçon valleys
The day ends at the belvedere of Serre l'Eyglier, an exceptional bivouac spot offering breathtaking views over the Serre-Ponçon valleys. Picnic tables and a furnished area make it the perfect place to pitch a tent and enjoy the sunset over the mountains.
Day 2: Hiking to Piolit and gravelling to Mont Colombis - a day of panoramic views over Lac de Serre-Ponçon!
Sunrise at the summit of Le Piolit
At 4 a.m., Quentin rang his alarm to leave his gravel and set off on the ascent of Le Piolit from his bivouac at the Serre l'Eyglier lookout. By the light of his headlamp, he tackles this mythical summit, rewarded by breathtaking views of the Écrins and Lac de Serre-Ponçon.
Mont Colombis: a demanding climb
After this early-morning escapade, Quentin gets back on his gravel bike to descend into the valley towards the village of Montgardin. You can take a lunch break at the Auberge de Montgardin - but be warned, this is a popular address with the locals, so book ahead! From 2026, the Maison de Pays de Serre-Ponçon Vallées will also be opening a bistro and producer's house, a perfect stop-off for refreshments.
The route continues through the countryside, between intimate, authentic villages like Avançon. One gravel track follows another until the final, particularly demanding climb to the summit of Mont Colombis. Along the way, the Demoiselles Coiffées lookout is a must!
As you reach the high alpine pasture, you come across large weather and telephone antennae, but your attention quickly turns to a spectacular lookout point, offering a breathtaking view over the whole of Lac de Serre-Ponçon. A fine reward after this demanding climb!
Day 3: Gravel in the Durance valley and swimming at Lac de Serre Ponçon
Hike to the summit of La Viste: view of Lac de Serre Ponçon.
The next day, Quentin continues his journey towards Lac de Serre-Ponçon. A milder day than the day before to conclude this weekend of adventure. From the summit of Mont Colombis, he starts the descent on gravel trails towards the hamlet of Vière, then the village of Rousset. There, he leaves his gravel to climb the summit of La Viste. An unassuming mountain with an incredible view of Lac de Serre-Ponçon.
Bathing in the wild Bois Vieux creek
It's impossible not to take a swim on this sunny September day! Seeing the lake from above is already superb, but nothing beats a dip. In low season, the Bois Vieux beach is virtually deserted: a magnificent cove with turquoise waters, ideal for relaxing after a hard day's work.
Just above, Le Panorama restaurant offers a spectacular view of the impressive Serre-Ponçon dam.
The Durance valley on gravel
After crossing the dam, the adventure continues along the Durance. The atmosphere changes: the route now follows the canal, through landscapes dotted with vineyards and fruit trees. The atmosphere becomes more southern, almost Provençal. It's amazing to see the diversity of landscapes encountered in such a short time over the course of the weekend!
And if you missed the swim at Serre-Ponçon, a stop at the 3 Lacs leisure park on the banks of the Durance is a must.
Notre-Dame du Laus and Col de la Sentinelle in gravel: return to Gap
There are several routes on which to conclude this tour and return to the Gap train station. Quentin chose to go via Notre-Dame du Laus, a sanctuary nestled in the heart of the mountains, accessible by beautiful gravel trails.
The final ascent, to the Col de la Sentinelle, still offers superb panoramic views over the Avance valleys and surrounding mountains.
A final stop at the Rambaud tower offers a breathtaking view of the Gapençais basin, before heading back down to the Gap train station to round off this adventurous weekend.
Tips from Quentin en Gravel
Elevation gain per day
Around 100 m D+ per day (simpler variants are possible).
Course difficulty
The climbs are sometimes quite steep (my legs still have the scars of the Grand Colombis climb!), but they always offer absolutely sensational views.
The variations
I loved being able to combine gravel and hiking. On several occasions, I left the bike in the undergrowth (hiding it and locking it to a tree) to explore the surrounding area and get a bit of height.
The climbs leading up to Piolit for sunrise, or to the Viste viewpoint, were among the highlights of the adventure!
Equipment
A gravel bike (it's really ideal!), panniers to ensure autonomy (food, bivouac...), but there are also options for sleeping and eating if you want to travel lighter and avoid the full logistics.
A GPS / mobile application or a map is essential to locate the best gravel trails in the area and to take it easy.
And last but not least, a little mental strength to overcome the difficulties, eyes wide open, so as to be rewarded by the beauty and diversity of the scenery, as well as the wild character of the magnificent Avance and Durance valleys.
Types of terrain
- 37 % road
- 42 % trails
- 21 % trails
My favorite
Night at Mont Colombis.
At first glance, the summit doesn't look very appealing: it's a real effort to climb up to it, and once at the top, you'll discover telecommunication towers and antennas. However, as you make your way to the belvedere, you turn your back on these metallic landscapes to find yourself facing a sumptuous natural landscape, dominated by the grandiose Lac de Serre-Ponçon.
The last light of day, the starry sky and waking up in the early hours of the morning to the sound of cowbells were a suspended moment in my journey.
Another word from Quentin on the Serre-Ponçon valleys
What a treat! I'd already taken a walk around Lac de Serre-Ponçon, but I had no idea that such wonders were hidden in the surrounding valleys. The diversity of landscapes, the alternation between gravel and hiking, and the absolute tranquility of the place made this adventure memorable.
The GPX track of my weekend in Serre Ponçon Vallées
-
© quentin clavel -
© quentin clavel -
© quentin clavel -
© quentin clavel -
© justine Cochard -
© quentin clavel -
© quentin clavel -
© quentin clavel -
© quentin clavel -
© quentin clavel
Gravel in Serre Ponçon
In the valleys of Serre-Ponçon, near Gap, five gravel routes are now signposted.
Between forest tracks, gravel paths and little-traveled roads, these routes have been designed to offer you the best possible riding experience, in the heart of unspoilt natural landscapes.
Discover our routes Download map
Discover our valleys
