Le Fein loop

There are many poplars along the route. It is a very impressive tree, on account both of its height (30 m) and its robustness (it can withstand temperatures down to -25°C). They thrive in damp ground. The poplar has a very important place in French forestry and in the timber industry. It is usually pollarded for firewood.

n the locality known as Les Olliviers, there is a marshy area. Damp habitats like this constitute rich and diverse ecosystems. Most of them developed naturally. Wetlands have long been regarded as unhealthy and hostile environments. The requirement for urban land led to these areas being dried out. Today, wet areas are recognised for their heritage and functional benefits, as they hold remarkable biodiversity. This new awareness has led to their usage being regulated in order to protect them.

Elegant, agile and fast, the roe deer is very discreet but leaves the imprint of its frail hooves on the snow or mud up to the alpine level. They can also be spotted by their loud "voice", emitting a powerful bark when disturbed. In the semi-darkness, their mirror, that white spot under the tail in the shape of a heart for the female and a bean for the male, can give them away. When it starts out on life, the fawn is covered in white spots that camouflage it. This "bambi" often lies on the grass. If you find one, remember not to touch it: it hasn't been abandoned.

From this spot, you can see the Lac de Serre-Ponçon. This is the second biggest artificial lake in Europe. It covers 2,800 hectares and is fed by the Durance and Ubaye mountain rivers. Filled with water in 1960, it offers numerous water-based activities, beaches with amenities and lifeguards and small harbours for pleasure craft. Despite all this, the majority of its shores remain wild with numerous craggy coves which make Serre-Ponçon so charming, as the nearby Baie des Moulettes illustrates. 

The Addos mountain stream (torrent in French) is 4 kilometres long. A mountain stream is a natural water course located in the mountains. The flow regime is characterised by a steep gradient, with a very fast and therefore turbulent water flow producing significant erosion. It is also defined by a significant variation in flow rate depending on precipitation levels. In this mountain stream, as in many others, numerous small sills (small dams) have been created to slow down the water flow and limit the impact of floods.