Alpes-de-Haute-Provence walks

Wonderful hike through the Lower Verdon Gorges, starting in Quinson.

A beautiful walk up the Verdon by its bed ! A feast for the eyes from start to finish ! ⚠️The Sentier Martel is not very difficult for regular walkers, but you have to be careful. However, the trickiest part is the Imbert ladders (6 ladders, 252 steps), which are difficult for hikers prone to vertigo. The difference in altitude is overestimated. See comments at the bottom of this page

Magnificent gorges, especially in autumn. The climb up to the Chapelle Saint-André is a 2km round trip, but the view from the top is well worth the diversions. You will pass through the remains of the hamlet of Valbonnette. A little further on, another detour of around a hundred metres, to see the ruins of a house, where a large round pillar has remained in its centre, still with the notches used to fix the wooden beams on two levels.

A beautiful loop around the Calavon Gorges from the village of Oppedette.

A beautiful day's hike. Varied landscapes, snowfields, scree, lakes, marmots, chamois, everything you need to have a good time. Please note that you will be hiking in the heart of the Mercantour National Park. Be sure to comply with the regulations in force.

A hike to discover four glacial lakes among chamois, ibex and marmots!

One of the most beautiful lakes in Haute-Ubaye. An easy hike with a slightly steep start, but it can be shortened if necessary.

This hike takes you to the top of La Baume. Magnificent views of Sisteron, the surrounding valleys and the Alps. You then cross to the other side of the mountain, revealing yet another landscape. But first, you will need to pass through the Grotte du Trou de l'Argent, which adds a touch of adventure to the route. During your journey, you will also use handrails, small ladders and cross a balcony.

Very beautiful hike to do between April and October.

Moustiers Sainte Marie is worth a visit, but the route through the hills is a remarkable way to enjoy this very pleasant plateau.

This is a pleasant hike with a visit to the Chapelle Saint Brice, another to the cairn built here for the 20th anniversary of the Sainte Tulle Hiking Club, and finally the Trou du Loup reservoir.

Hike leading to the Lac des Neuf Couleurs surrounded by the Aiguille de Chambeyron, the Brec de Chambeyron and the Tête de la Fréma, just a stone's throw from the French-Italian border.The hike includes high-altitude lakes, rivers, waterfalls, animals depending on the time of day and your luck (marmots, chamois, etc.), scree slopes, and more.

This impressive rocky ridge is visible from Sisteron and the surrounding area. If you dream of climbing it, here is one of the possible routes. It's a fairly easy hike but offers exceptional views of the mountains, the Sasse valley and the Durance river.

A magnificent, varied and challenging circular offering superb views of the Gorges du Verdon, the Pont du Galetas and Lac de Sainte-Croix, accompanied by vultures, which are very present in the cliffs. See practical information regarding difficulties and vertiginous passages.

Long north-south oriented ridge, the Barre des Dourbes ridge separates the basin of Digne-les-Bains from the Barrême syncline. Rising in stages over twenty kilometres, culminating Pic de Couar some 1988 m above sea level.

Located north of Focalquier, the Mourres rocks are a geological curiosity. The area is full of enormous mushroom-shaped rocks several metres high. The word Mourre means 'snout' in Provençal.

This walk near Gréoux-les-Bains allows you to discover a tributary of the Verdon, the Colostre, a charming little river that flows all year round in a small, fairly steep-sided valley. Also on the programme are an oppidum and the magnificent village of Saint-Martin-de-Brômes.

Above the lake of Esparron-de-Verdon.

A very pleasant route starting from Saint-Laurent-du-Verdon with views of the Verdon.

The Pissoun waterfall is a pretty waterfall that is easy to access. This circuit around the valley via the Portes de l'Enfer and their cliffs offers beautiful forest and pastoral landscapes and the trail is relatively easy.

A beautiful family hike with the chance to see marmots just a few metres from the path (from the start and also at the lake).

A very pretty, magical and interactive hike under oak trees, hundred-year-old chestnut trees and among huge sandstone boulders. Most of the walk is in the cool forest. The Grès d'Annot are world famous and are a listed and protected site.

Very varied landscapes between canyons, forests and ridges.

The area of Saint-Laurent-du-Verdon stretches from the riverbanks to the Valensole plateau. What a beautiful setting for a walk amidst the blue of the lavender fields and the blue of the lakes created by the construction of the Quinson dam. And if, on top of that, the sky is at its best, what a symphony of blues!

This route allows you to discover the famous Eaux Tortes site starting from the Vallon du Laverq.

The upper trail offers a completely different view from the valley. The Pénitents show their heads and draperies, which is almost more surprising than from below! And then there is a lovely view of the nearby Durance valley. The trail is easy, but there is often a drop on at least one side. Take care with children.

This hike leads to a stunning viewpoint over the Lac de Sainte-Croix and the Verdon Gorges.

This loop goes around a rock (La Roche Amère), which will be visible for much of the hike. A quarter of the way round, I suggest a detour to the Chapelle de la Roche. If you wish, continue past the chapel (not marked on the map) and follow the path that leads to the top of the rock (ruin), where you will have a beautiful view of the Durance valley.

Botanical trail leading to the Belvédère de Tréguier, with a magnificent view of the Lac de Sainte-Croix and the Ravin d'Angouire at the end

A hike in Pays du Verdon that takes ancient Roman roads, runs alongside an abandoned village and a chapel sheltered by rocks with magnificent landscapes.

Wild and difficult to access gorges, between 150 and 200m deep, very narrow in places, only a few metres wide. The descent of the Karstic Cave is very well equipped but tricky to navigate.

A pleasant hike in a beautiful setting with no difficulties. Just for relaxation. This hike complements the Portail de Blieux hike described on the website.

The view from the summit is spectacular, with a 360° panorama where only the Monges mountains hide the Oisans. You can see south all the way to the Basse-Provence, passing by the Lure mountain, Mont Ventoux, Dévoluy with the Pic de Bure, the Blanche valley near Digne, and more. Contrast between the Mediterranean climb facing south and the colder ridge.

A hike between Gréoux-les-Bains and Saint-Martin-de-Brômes, starting in the mountains, continuing through the Colostre valley and returning via a small path along the Verdon.

A round trip to this high-altitude lake located in a cirque at the foot of the Chevalier (2,886 m). The trail overlooks the Terres Plaines valley and its endless shades of green.

The hike quickly reaches a superb viewpoint offering a clear view of the mountains of south-eastern France:- Sainte-Baume and Sainte-Victoire (Bouches-du-Rhône)- Le Lubéron or Mont Ventoux (Vaucluse)- Le Verdon (Var/Alpes de Haute Provence)- Les Trois Becs (Drôme)- Le Dévoluy or Les Écrins (Hautes Alpes)- Mont Aiguille and Grand Veymont (Isère).Then we set off to explore the resort's old ski lifts, finally returning via the old coal mines.

A mountain walk through the forest with beautiful autumn colours. Stunning views from the top of Les Monges.

A walk around Quinson, to be done before or after a visit to the Prehistory Museum.

Starting from the village of La Bréole, the Clot la Cime circuit will take you to the highest point in the commune, at 1,580 metres, with a magnificent view of the Lac de Serre-Ponçon and the Durance valley. This hike is classified as "moderate" but is quite long.

A country walk between the villages of Ongles and Lardiers. A bucolic and peaceful route in the spirit of Jean Giono, surrounded by fields, farms, lavender and oak forests.

A short walk with lots to discover: the priory, of course, as well as an old millstone quarry and the oppidum known as Villevieille.

If you like Bories, you'll see them in the distance at the start, then up close, and you can even go inside some of them. On your way back, before you get to the village, you'll walk up a superb calade (cobbled) street, and there's a little detour to see the Château de Mane.

A beautiful hike starting at the Pont de la Serre by the Lance pools and leading to the Lignin Lakes through woods and alpine pastures.

Starting from the village of Tournoux, hike to discover the upper military remains of Fort de Tournoux: the Fort des Corres battery, the Serre de l'Aut fort, the observation post and the Saint-Jean-Baptiste Chapel, via a ridge trail with remarkable views.

The small village of Limans is known for its six dovecotes.

This lovely, easy walk will take you to a very alpine setting in just a few dozen minutes from the car park. The climb to Lac Noir is gentle and the scenery is very pleasant. You then reach Dormillouse at 2,505 metres, the highest point of the walk, after a steep but easy climb. There is a splendid view from the fort at the summit and the return journey is via the spectacular military path overlooking the Blanche valley.

Site classified by decree of 9 January 1939.Facing the Pas-de-la-Tour ravine, in the heart of a magnificent mountain environment, this natural curiosity is clearly visible from the road at the bottom of the valley. These waterfalls are a popular spot for panoramic views. They can also be explored from the village of Lauzet, along pleasant country trails.

A lovely, not too long walk with beautiful views of the Durance and Bléone valleys.

An easy, often shaded walk for the whole family. Superb view of Digne and its thermal baths from the belvedere.

A beautiful climb to the mountain pastures and the three lakes of Col Bas through a beautiful forest of larch and Swiss pine trees. IMPORTANT: This hike crosses an area with wetlands that are rich in biodiversity but very fragile and subject to three levels of protection (APPB, ENS, Natura 2000). It is therefore important to preserve them by refraining from crossing them, particularly between Lac du Milieu and Lac Noir, where you must take care to follow the marked trail. Reminder: it is forbidden to light fires, swim in the lakes or camp near the wetlands. Dogs must be kept on a leash. In addition, a chairlift from Montclar arrives at Lac Noir, bringing dozens of walkers to the immediate vicinity of the lake. If you like peace and quiet, it is advisable to avoid the days when this chairlift is in operation. You can find the opening days on the Montclar town hall website or on the "Montclar Domaine Skiable" website.