f) Lac du Lauvitel
An very large glacially eroded hollow with a large deep lake in the
Ecrins National Park. The Lac du Lauvitel is the French equivalent
of an SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest), a protected area
of great ecological significance. The walk up to the lake is steep
over a stepped footpath. It takes you up a hanging valley and over
a large mound of debris which dams the large lake. The scenery and
ecology are spectacular on the way and once you arrive.
g) The Guisanne Valley
The River Guisanne flows from the Col du Lautaret, to Briançon,
where it joins the River Durance. It passes through many of the villages
which make up the ski resort of Serre Chevalier. It is fed by meltwater
from glaciers, surface runoff and local ground water. The valley has
large areas of larch forest (mélèze), especially on
the cooler, east facing slopes. The warmer, drier, west facing slopes
tend to be more sparsely vegetated. There are many relics of the former
economy of the high mountains in the valley, including coal workings,
water mills, old factories, timber yards and farms.
