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The tour of the Settons lake by foot in the Morvan

This hike proposes the tour of the lake of Settons on foot. The lake is located in the heart of the Morvan regional park in the Nièvre department.

The Settons lake is an artificial lake located in the heart of the Morvan regional natural park in the Nièvre. It is located south of the town of Montsauche-les-Settons at 2h30 from Paris or Lyon. Its surface area is 367 ha with a maximum depth of 18 meters near the dam. It was built from 1854 to 1861. Its first function was to facilitate the transport of firewood produced in the forests of Morvan to Paris. The transport was made by floating the wood, the lake being used to cause artificial floods of the Cure (river feeding the lake) to facilitate the floating of wood. This activity ended in the 1920s. The lake was then converted into a tourist lake. It is one of the few lakes in the region where all water activities are allowed: from pedal boats, canoes, sailing to jet skiing and water skiing. Swimming is allowed. Hiking or mountain biking (rented at the nautical base) are also practiced. The altitude of the lake is 600 meters. The climate is similar to that of a medium-sized mountain.

Interest: good (5 users)
Difficulty:
Duration: 4 h.
Practical information

Start of the hike

The proposed start of the hike is near the dam on the parking lot of the restaurant "La Morvandelle" on the left bank.
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The dam

The dam is made of solid granite blocks. It is 267 m long, 20 m high and 20 m at its base. The dam is of the "massive" type, which means that it is held up only by its own weight.
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The dam in the distance

View allowing to appreciate the dimensions of the dam.
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Nautical base

The pagoda-shaped building represents a Christmas tree, a reference to the Morvan, France's main Christmas tree-growing region. The harbour for sailing boats is just before the base.
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Beach

One of the beaches of the lake, located near the nautical center. The beaches are very popular during the summer season, the water quality is good.
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Little island of the lake

The lake has 2 islands. We pass by the smaller one.
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Lakefront

View of the shores of the lake. The lake is huge, and there are a few restaurants along the banks. The atmosphere is family-friendly and the food very simple.
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Main island

We pass by the main island. A footbridge built in 2009 allows to avoid a marshy area.
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View of the trails

On the Morvan massif, conifers are in the majority.
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Lake shore

All the nautical activities are present on the lake: pedal boat, canoe, boat on the banks, sailing with the port at the bottom near the nautical base and motor boats in the middle of the lake.
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Back to the starting point

The return journey gives you an overview of the lake. Surrounded by the wooded hills of the Morvan, Lac des Settons is a popular spot for swimming, water sports, fishing and hiking.
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Other ways to discover Lac des Settons

2 boat companies offer a 40-minute tour of the lake with a guided tour.
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Other walks

At 13.21 Km

The lake of Pannecière

At 31.09 Km

Walk in Autun in the center of Burgundy

At 39.24 Km

The eternal hill of Vézelay

At 44.51 Km

Walk around the pearl of Morvan : Uchon
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