Mayres-Savel offers various opportunities for hiking and water sports on Lac de Monteynard. The hike you choose also depends on your preferred destination: the loop with two Himalayan footbridges, the Passerelle du Drac or a summit. Swimming is prohibited throughout Lac de Monteynard.
Water sports at the Base nautique de Savel Monteynard
Lac de Monteynard is a destination for water sports. The Base nautique de Savel Monteynard offers sailing courses for adults and children, as well as an introduction to foil catamaran sailing and wingfoil courses. Group and private lessons are available for all the water sports equipment on offer. Sailboats, windsurf boards, dinghies, catamarans, canoes, kayaks and paddleboards are available to rent. Course times and seasonal availability may vary; if a particular activity is important for your visit, check in advance.
Hikes to the footbridges
The circular hike around Lac de Monteynard-Avignonet can be started in Mayres-Savel. It includes two Himalayan footbridges over the Drac and the Ebron. A 30-minute narrated boat trip can take you across the lake; boat services are seasonal. Before setting out, check whether the trip is available on your visit date.
To hike to the Passerelle du Drac, start at the beach car park in Savel; the route goes via La Chapelle, Le Pont and La Tourbe to the footbridge. Another hike starts in Les Mets in Mayres-Savel and leads to the largest Himalayan footbridge on Lac de Monteynard. The two routes differ in their respective starting and finishing points.
Sénépy and its views
Another hiking destination is Sénépy, whose summit reaches 1,769 m. The climb offers views of the Matheysin Plateau, the Drac gorges, Lac de Monteynard and the Vercors range. This hike takes in views across several named landscapes, while the routes to the Himalayan footbridges lead to specific bridge destinations.
Orientation and history in Savel
Le MĂ´le de Savel in Mayres-Savel offers information and explanations about the Drac Valley, the Monteynard-Avignonet Dam and hydropower. The building is near the entrance to the Savel beach car park and the Mira landing stage. These topics connect the landscape of the Drac Valley with the dam and hydropower, complementing outdoor activities with factual context. Hydropower means using water to generate energy.
You can also explore the area’s history on the “Savel, l'histoire en marche” walking trail, which passes Château de Savel. You can choose between a walk with a historical focus, routes to the footbridges and the climb up Sénépy.
Discover more destinations: Saint-Chef, La Motte-Saint-Martin, Mont-De-Lans, MĂ©audre, Valjouffrey, Marcollin, Frontonas, Vaulnaveys-Le-Bas.
For the regional travel overview: Isere.
