Refine your search for walks in Ballons
Ballons walks
Balcon de Sainte-Colombe via the Col de Saint-Ange
Visorando Member
6.39 mi
+1,726 ft
-1,722 ft
4h 25
Moderate
Departure from Sainte-Colombe (Hautes-Alpes)
From the village of Sainte-Colombe, nestled against its rock, set off on a varied route to discover magnificent 360° panoramic views.
The balconies of Sainte-Colombe
4.19 mi
+873 ft
-873 ft
2h 40
Easy
Departure from Sainte-Colombe (Hautes-Alpes)
This 6-kilometre walk from the village of Sainte-Colombe (with a single exposed climb of about 1.8 km) offers aerial views of Sainte-Colombe and the surrounding landscapes (Céans valley, Adrech rocks and Dévoluy) along the Chabre ridge via a flat, shaded hillside path.
A variation halfway through is possible to reduce the route to around 4 kilometres.
Montagne de Chabre starting from Sainte-Colombe
5.01 mi
+1,339 ft
-1,312 ft
3h 30
Moderate
Departure from Sainte-Colombe (Hautes-Alpes)
A lovely walk along this ridge separating the Céans valley to the north and the Méouge valley to the south.
Izon-la-Bruisse - Orpierre
10.38 mi
+2,008 ft
-3,186 ft
6h 30
Moderate
Departure from Izon-la-Bruisse (Drôme)
Another beautiful stage to reach the medieval village of Orpierre, surrounded by its famous cliffs. Straddling the Céans and Méouge valleys, this time it is the endless, narrow Chabre ridge that serves as the guiding thread for the hike, culminating in the picturesque Col Saint-Ange and its climbing walls.
From Izon-la-Bruisse to Saint-Auban-sur-l'Ouvèze via Perty and Arsuc
15.21 mi
+2,329 ft
-3,678 ft
9h 00
Difficult
Departure from Izon-la-Bruisse (Drôme)
This is the third and final stage of a three-day tour of the Méouge and Ouvèze ridges. You first pass through the western face of the Montagne de Chamouse, with its magnificent beech forests, before reaching the remarkable Col de Perty. Then, you'll follow the ridge for several kilometres via the summit of Arsuc and Serre de Charbouisse, enjoying breathtaking views of the Alps and the Ouvèze valley. The last third of the day allows you to explore the hamlets of the valley, in a pretty rural setting.
The Crête de Chabre loop via Eygalayes and Ballons
11.67 mi
+2,129 ft
-2,136 ft
7h 15
Moderate
Departure from Izon-la-Bruisse (Drôme)
This is the second stage of a three-day circuit on the crests of the Méouge and Ouvèze rivers. Starting and ending in Izon-la-Bruisse, the route passes through the two pretty villages of Eygalayes and Ballons before reaching the Crête de Chabre for a splendid view of the Dévoluy, the Écrins and the Ventoux.
From Izon-la-Bruisse to Les Damias
12.63 mi
+2,710 ft
-2,963 ft
8h 10
Difficult
Departure from Izon-la-Bruisse (Drôme)
The third stage of the Tour de la Méouge, passing through the three pretty villages of Eygalayes, Lachau and Éourres. More beautiful panoramic views of the Southern Alps, as well as a charming pastoral and rural atmosphere.
The Chamouse mountain in a circular route from Izon-la-Bruisse
7.09 mi
+1,739 ft
-1,749 ft
4h 45
Moderate
Departure from Izon-la-Bruisse (Drôme)
This is the second stage of the Tour de la Méouge, which you can skip but which is so beautiful! It's a distillation of the nature of the Baronnies Provençales, from the sunny Provençal adret with its aromatic scents to the humid beech forests, passing through pastures and lavender fields. A wild atmosphere and breathtaking views are guaranteed, especially on the Chamouse ridges.
Chabre Mountain
4.38 mi
+1,339 ft
-1,339 ft
3h 10
Moderate
Departure from Barret-sur-Méouge (Hautes-Alpes)
This is a lovely walk to discover the Montagne de Chabre, which offers beautiful scenery, especially along the ridge. You can see many hang-gliders heading towards Les Espranons.
The Mare and Chanteduc ridges via the summit of Fléossier
10.60 mi
+3,455 ft
-3,438 ft
7h 55
Difficult
Departure from Éourres (Hautes-Alpes)
Éourres is a charming little pedestrian-only village perched on a rocky promontory with a beautiful view of the surrounding mountains. The scene is set! Let’s get going! Ascent of the Montagne de Mare via the Col de Verdun. A long, scenic hike along the ridges before the descent to the Col Saint-Pierre, followed by the climb to the Col de Branche and the Sommet de Fléossier. A long walk along the ridges before the descent to the hamlet of Les Damias and the return through the woods to the starting point.
La Montagne de Mare and Le Pied du Mulet
9.28 mi
+3,100 ft
-3,114 ft
7h 00
Difficult
Departure from Éourres (Hautes-Alpes)
A series of 360° panoramic viewpoints all around. Height, views, breathtaking landscapes. Views of the Luberon, Mont Ventoux, the Southern Alps, etc.
Gentle climbs, steep descents.
Rocher Saint Michel in Orpierre
5.27 mi
+1,745 ft
-1,742 ft
3h 55
Moderate
Departure from Orpierre (Hautes-Alpes)
A beautiful, fairly shaded walk with plenty of lovely views. The 360° panorama at the summit is remarkable. Everything is very well marked and signposted. Some sections are very steep, especially on the descent.
Orpierre - Trescléoux
5.71 mi
+2,110 ft
-2,270 ft
4h 30
Moderate
Departure from Orpierre (Hautes-Alpes)
A short but very pretty stage, especially the second part. The exit from Orpierre, via the heights, is fantastic, thanks to the bird's eye view of the narrow village nestled in the cliffs. After Le Suillet, a beautiful ridge and a memorable passage through the black marl, the GR® passes by the Mont Garde lodge.
Le Suillet at the start of the village of Orpierre
Association / Club / Walk leader
5.47 mi
+2,087 ft
-2,083 ft
4h 20
Moderate
Departure from Orpierre (Hautes-Alpes)
This beautiful hike offers lovely views of the Céans and Blaisance valleys and the legendary cliffs of Orpierre, which make this village an exceptional climbing site.
From Damias to Antonaves
9.66 mi
+2,484 ft
-3,743 ft
6h 35
Difficult
Departure from Éourres (Hautes-Alpes)
The fourth stage of the Tour de la Méouge, featuring two ridge walks as a bonus to round off this trek in style. From Chanteduc, you can look back and see much of the route you’ve covered since the start, and from Saint-Cyr, you’ll have a commanding view over the Buech and Durance valleys. In between, the forests are magnificent.
Chamouse Mountain
5.03 mi
+1,273 ft
-1,243 ft
3h 25
Moderate
Departure from Montauban-sur-l'Ouvèze (Drôme)
This is a very beautiful, uncrowded walk offering remarkable landscapes for most of the route.
Chamouse Mountain from Somecure
9.27 mi
+2,657 ft
-2,661 ft
6h 35
Moderate
Departure from Montauban-sur-l'Ouvèze (Drôme)
A beautiful walk that takes you from the hamlet of Somecure to the breathtaking promontory of Montagne de Chamouse. Exceptional views of the Baronnies, Montagne de Lure and Dent de Mévouillon.
Méouge Gorges circular loop via L'Ourse
7.04 mi
+2,467 ft
-2,464 ft
5h 25
Moderate
Departure from Barret-sur-Méouge (Hautes-Alpes)
A very pleasant and wilder alternative, with superb views, is the classic circular route of the Gorges de la Méouge, which avoids the long return journey on roads.
Gorge de la Méouge - Crête Saint-Cyr
13.07 mi
+3,930 ft
-3,914 ft
9h 25
Difficult
Departure from Saint-Pierre-Avez (Hautes-Alpes)
Tour des Gorges de la Méouge au départ de Saint-Pierre-Avez en traversant l'intégralité de la crête de la Montage de Saint-Cyr, afin de réaliser un itinéraire un peu plus sportif.
Summit of La Platte
6.65 mi
+2,625 ft
-2,602 ft
5h 20
Moderate
Departure from Saint-Pierre-Avez (Hautes-Alpes)
Facing Pic Saint-Cyr, for the curious, there is a summit off the beaten track where you can enjoy a 360° panorama. You can see the Lure mountain, the Buëch valley, the peaks and valleys of the Baronnies Provençales and much more.
Montagne de l'Arsuc and Col de Perty from Ruissas
10.79 mi
+2,421 ft
-2,402 ft
7h 05
Difficult
Departure from Montauban-sur-l'Ouvèze (Drôme)
A hike in Drôme Provençale on the border of the Alpes de Haute-Provence. The aim of the route is to reach the crest of Montagne de l'Arsuc to enjoy a 360° view from Mont Ventoux to the Barre des Écrins and Queyras: a magnificent spectacle on a clear day!
In the Jabron State Forest
11.55 mi
+2,316 ft
-2,326 ft
7h 20
Difficult
Departure from Saint-Vincent-sur-Jabron (Alpes-de-Haute-Provence)
The Jabron Valley stretches from west to east, between the Montagne de Mare and the Baronnies Orientales to the north, and the Montagne de Lure to the south. This walk explores the northern slope of the Jabron, starting from the charming village of Saint-Vincent-sur-Jabron. A short, one-kilometre round trip to the Col Saint-Pierre (the highest point) offers views of the Baronnies and the far south of the Hautes-Alpes.
A walk around Jabron
9.43 mi
+1,929 ft
-1,949 ft
6h 00
Moderate
Departure from Saint-Vincent-sur-Jabron (Alpes-de-Haute-Provence)
From Saint-Vincent-sur-Jabron, the climb towards the hamlet of Aubard continues along a superb balcony path. The descent into the valley offers views of the summit of Lure and Tréboux. You pass through Vieux Curel. On returning to the plain, you take an old path that leads to the church at Châteauneuf-Miravail. Pass by the Château des Graves and return to Saint-Vincent-sur-Jabron.
Trescléoux - Serres
11.13 mi
+3,054 ft
-2,959 ft
7h 45
Moderate
Departure from Trescléoux (Hautes-Alpes)
A grand finale for this revisited Tour des Baronnies. Along the ridges of Aumage and Eyglière, the peaks of Dévoluy and Écrins have never seemed so close. The Buëch Valley stretches out below us, and the 360° views allow us to retrace the path we have travelled over the last seven days: Serre de la Bouisse, Chamouse, Chabre and other peaks emerge on the horizon, bringing back fond memories.
Montagne de Lure
18.76 mi
+5,627 ft
-5,627 ft
7 hrs
Very difficult
Departure from Saint-Vincent-sur-Jabron (Alpes-de-Haute-Provence)
Ascent of Montagne de Lure from Saint-Vincent-sur-Jabron. A beautiful circular route allowing you to reach the summit via the north-facing slope of Lure and its marl, then cross most of the ridges of Montagne de Lure from east to west.
Magnificent panorama of the Écrins, the Dévoluy (Plateau de Bure, Grand Ferrand), the Vercors and the Diois.