Balconies of Arzeliers

A lovely walk, offering great variety in terms of scenery and the paths taken, where you are regularly treated to lovely views of the Saint-Genis mountain, the Lure mountain, Lake Lazer with the Ubaye in the background, or the Écrins.

Details

33757556
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.58 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 15 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 827 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 814 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,644 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,998 ft

Photos

Description of the walk

Leave Laragne-Montéglin via the D942 towards Gap and, a few metres past the entrance to the “Placo” quarry, take the path on the left signposted “Barracan” for about 400 m to reach a crossroads.

(S/E) Head left, towards the west, and shortly afterwards, at a crossroads, turn left and continue along this path (marked with a few yellow markers) which leads to L’Arzeliers in about half an hour.

(1) Take the road on the left for about a hundred metres. Turn left to walk around the hamlet of Arzeliers in a few minutes.

(2) Return to the road and, at the cemetery, head north towards the castle (signposted).

(3) Continue roughly northwards towards “Jubi” (marked in yellow). You will soon be walking amongst the “roubines” along a path that sometimes runs along the ridge.

(4) About 300 m after passing an EDF pylon, turn right to reach the Écluse farm.

(5) Take the road southwards, pass under a power line and arrive at a path on the left signposted “l’Argentière”.

(6) Take this path, following a circular loop to the north-east, pass under the same power line again and continue south-east until you reach a junction where you can see another path below on the right. Two hairpin bends lead to it.

(7) Follow this path southwards until you reach the access point to the EDF canal.

(8) Immediately after, turn right to return to the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 2,031 ft - Crossroads
  2. 1 : mi 1.03 - alt. 2,241 ft - Route
  3. 2 : mi 1.18 - alt. 2,251 ft - Arzeliers
  4. 3 : mi 1.81 - alt. 2,549 ft - Château d'Arzeliers
  5. 4 : mi 2.81 - alt. 2,625 ft - Crossroads
  6. 5 : mi 3.36 - alt. 2,372 ft - Ferme de l'Écluse
  7. 6 : mi 3.58 - alt. 2,274 ft - Argentière junction
  8. 7 : mi 4.69 - alt. 2,257 ft - New path
  9. 8 : mi 5.47 - alt. 2,057 ft - EDF Canal
  10. S/E : mi 5.58 - alt. 2,031 ft - Crossroads

Notes

It is not advisable to approach the ruins of Arzeliers Castle or to linger there due to the risk of rockfall.

Two short sections on the ridge can be slippery and require a little extra care: one is somewhat exposed and sloping, and the second has a very steep gradient (this section should be avoided in wet weather).

Worth a visit

There is a cheese shop in the hamlet of Arzeliers.

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 5 reviews

Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.2 / 5
Route interest
4.3 / 5
Annec
Annec

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 22, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

It’s true that, even though he’s old, the dog still guards his home and territory well. We had to negotiate with him to get past. It would be nice if there were another way down.

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jy05
jy05

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 18, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

You can follow the route described; there’s just one issue at the Farm of the Lock: an Anatolian Shepherd running loose, though not particularly aggressive. It’s true that at this point you’re still on private property, so you’d need to go further round.

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Cécile G.
Cécile G.

Overall rating : 2 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 25, 2023
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : Not used / Not applicable
Very busy route : No

A walk I went on yesterday on a lovely day that was still warm for the season, but I missed the first junction!
Stage 1: turn left – OK
but then you mustn’t stay on the left of the path; you have to go up to the village and turn right into the woods! Then, once on the road, turn left.
So we didn’t get to walk around the castle and only saw it from below – a shame, we’ll have to do it again.

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PJCH
PJCH

No owner in sight, so we quickly turned back!
In any case, if the dogs are still running loose, it’s impossible to get past

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Didjad
Didjad

Has the dog been vaccinated? And will the next hikers turn back too?

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PJCH
PJCH

Hello
No, I haven’t made a statement to the police

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Didjad
Didjad

Hello,
Have you reported the incident to the police?

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PJCH
PJCH

A lovely walk, but we couldn’t go any further than the Ecluse farm; the farm’s dogs are aggressive and run free, and one of them bit my wife on the calf, so we had to turn back to our starting point.

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charpenel
charpenel

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 10, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A stroll through fields of wheat and lavender – it’s absolutely stunning. It’s a complete walk in the park.
A panoramic view of the Ubaye and the Ecrins
The castle ruins are indeed well described on the various information boards along the route.

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Didjad
Didjad

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 18, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A leisurely walk,
The tour of the castle ruins is clearly described on the information boards

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