Walking at Lac de Panneciere

In the heart of the Morvan Regional Natural Park, walking at Lac de Panneciere is an essential experience for anyone who likes open country. With rolling landscapes where water and forest intertwine, the area offers a range of paths that will suit the seasoned walker as much as the contemplative stroller. Here is our guide to the routes worth taking, with the practical detail you need to get the day right.

Lac de Panneciere, a natural jewel of the Morvan

The largest body of water in the Morvan Regional Natural Park, Lac de Panneciere covers 520 hectares in the Nievre. Built to regulate the flow of the Yonne and the Seine, this reservoir of 80 million cubic metres has become a genuine sanctuary for wildlife. It runs 13.5 kilometres long and is bordered by the villages of Chaumard, Corancy, Montigny-en-Morvan and Ouroux-en-Morvan. A Natura 2000 site, it changes with the seasons, sometimes recalling wide Canadian country, sometimes revealing submerged remains as the water level drops.

The finest walking routes around the lake

The shoreline carries a network of waymarked paths that take in the full variety of Morvan landscape, between conifer forest and steep banks.

The shoreline loop: a gentle walk for everyone

For a gentle approach, the routes starting from Corancy or from the beach at Bonin are ideal. They involve little climbing, under 150 metres. The path linking the dam to Montigny-en-Morvan, six to eight kilometres, opens clear views and gives good opportunities for birdwatching. It is the perfect option for a two- to three-hour walk, within reach of every level and in a peaceful atmosphere.

The full circuit: a day out for committed walkers

The Grand Tour du Lac is a serious walk of 27 kilometres. It calls for real fitness, with 500 to 600 metres of total climb and seven to eight hours on foot. The route rises onto the ridges to open spectacular views over the dam and the whole reservoir.

A technical summary of the key segments:

Segment	Approx. distance	Difficulty	Main point of interest
Dam to Chaumard	7 km	Moderate	Commanding view of the dam (49 m)
Chaumard to Ouroux	8 km	Sustained	Woodland sections and climbing
Ouroux to Corancy	6 km	Moderate	Crossing wetland
Corancy to the dam	6 km	Easy	Gentle return along the left bank

Carry the IGN 1:25,000 map, sheet 2723 ET, to navigate precisely where the path meets the forest tracks.

Around Chaumard, and other shorter loops

Chaumard makes a strategic starting point for intermediate loops of ten to twelve kilometres. The climb to Le Calvaire gives a view over the shape of the whole reservoir from above. These routes cross beech and fir woodland with gradients reaching 10 to 15 per cent, which is an argument for boots that support the ankle.

Preparing your walk at Lac de Panneciere

A good walk in the sometimes capricious weather of the Morvan rewards careful preparation.

Access, parking and the best starting points

The car park at the dam in Montigny-en-Morvan is the most practical for the full circuit. For routes on the right bank, park at Chaumard, near the town hall or the church. On the left bank, the Bonin car park gives direct access to the beaches and the forest paths. Allow around fifteen minutes' drive from Chateau-Chinon.

When to go, and what to take

The best window runs from May to October. Spring lifts the water landscapes, while autumn turns the forests to blazing colour.

• Footwear: choose a grippy sole, since granite ground can turn slippery after rain.

• Clothing: a waterproof layer stays essential, even in fine weather.

• Navigation: download your GPX tracks or take the local IGN map before setting off.

Other things to do around the lake

The lake is also one of the leading places in France for predatory fish, and a favoured site for birdwatching, with ospreys and black storks among the residents. Twelve kilometres away, Chateau-Chinon and its museums make a welcome cultural pause. The winding roads around the lake will please anyone touring by bike, electric or otherwise.

An unforgettable escape at Lac de Panneciere

Lac de Panneciere embodies the wild essence of the Morvan. Whether you take on the full circuit or simply wander the shore, the place offers a complete break from ordinary life. To extend the pause, we welcome you at Maison Constant in Autun, where our character apartments, set in a remarkable wooded park, make the ideal base for combining time outdoors with historical refinement in the heart of Burgundy.

Frequently asked questions about walking at Lac de Panneciere

When is the best time to walk at Lac de Panneciere?

May, June and September are particularly good, with mild temperatures between 15 and 20 degrees and fine light for photography, while avoiding the extremes of summer and winter.

Are dogs welcome on the paths around the lake?

Yes. Dogs are allowed on most of the paths provided they are kept on a lead. You will cross protected natural areas and grazing land, where respect for wildlife and livestock is essential.

Is there anywhere to eat or stay nearby?

Several options exist in the surrounding villages. For something more considered, Maison Constant in Autun offers character apartments in a historic park, less than an hour's drive away, an elegant and preserved base from which to range across the region.

How difficult are the walks around the lake?

The range is wide, from easy local loops of under five kilometres to a demanding 27-kilometre circuit. Look at the elevation profile before you set off: the rolling relief of the Morvan can surprise legs that have not trained for it.