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Starting village: Courbons, near Digne-les-Bains. Car park in the village.
(S/E) "Départ de randonnée" signpost. Yellow markings. Take the climb up to the church on the right towards La Bigue.
(1) In front of Courbons church, leave the Chemin de la Bigue, Champtercier, Thoard, which branches off to the left. Continue opposite, along the church wall: the start is not signposted but thePR®® trail is marked in yellow. This path is quite rocky at the start, then passes under the Roches Rouges to reach the cross, clearly visible above the village (viewpoint).
(2) Continue along the path, which then climbs up a small valley (Ravin du Riou) via a long, gently sloping descent.
(3) Cross the stream for the first time at an elevation of 985 metres. Climb up the other side of the ravine and keep to the right to pass to the right of the rocks (not necessarily obvious, do not climb too high) and cross the stream again. Then walk through the rocky terrain and rock banks, which are fairly easy to find. At the edge of the woods, walk through the middle of a large meadow (the ruins of Les Chatières are clearly visible) and cross the field. Reach the ridge at La Baisse des Chatières (altitude 1,138 m), where you will join theGRP®® Grande Traversée des Préalpes.
(4) Enjoy the panorama: Tête de l'Estrop, Les Trois Évêchés, Le Cheval Blanc and, weather permitting, a view stretching southwards to the Alpilles. For the descent, follow the track that branches off to the right, crossing almost horizontally towards the south (red and white GTPA markings). The scenery is just as beautiful and, in my opinion, you'll be keeping your distance from the scrap metal of the pylons on the ridge.
(5) The GTPA goes straight ahead, cutting across the hairpin bends in the road and shortening the route through the forest (cedar reforestation by the ONF). The markings are clear, but you can follow the road to Saumon: it's longer and there are sometimes cars going up to the relay station.
From the padlocked barrier at the end of the track, where you cross the road for the first time, descend south-east, cutting across the road several times. You will come to a crossroads: a useful landmark is a low concrete wall with France Télécom cast iron plates on the ground.
(6) Then take the road downhill towards the ruins of Saumon (follow the yellow markings of aPR®® trail).
(7) Just before the ruins, turn right at a 90° angle onto the path that descends into a coniferous undergrowth (PR®®). You will soon see your destination on the other side of the valley, the village of Courbons. Follow this path down the hillside to the same Ravin du Riou: "Courbons Beach", wooden sign.
The route is obvious, with a few marl ravines to cross, but without much difficulty. However, it is best not to take this path with people who are afraid of the somewhat airy nature of marl ravines. Then climb back up to the village via an old farm track. Follow the street to the right, which will take you back to your starting point (S/E) in a hundred metres.
Visorando member
Easy 
