Charens walks

If you enjoy a good climb with cables to help you and then discovering an exceptional 360° panorama over the whole of southern Diois, then you will love this hike. Best done in June for the flowers; by mid-July, it's already too late.

I suggest a short walk in the Marais des Bouligons and its surroundings: this is a protected area covering 65 hectares, home to remarkable flora and fauna.This walk is fairly easy and is particularly suitable for families.

This is a beautiful hike to discover the southernmost ridges of the Diois region, culminating in the highest point of this landscape, the summit of Duffre. The panorama offers superb views of the Southern Alps and Dévoluy.

Discover more than five kilometres of ridge offering breathtaking 360° views of the surrounding mountains. The route follows almost exclusively single-track trails winding through woods and meadows. From late May to late June, the trail is adorned with abundant, particularly pleasant and colourful flora.

From the resort, you will discover a vast 360° panorama of the Southern Alps and the whole of the Diois region, with a view of Mont Ventoux too. Best done in June for the exceptional flora.

A varied hike to discover the village of La Beaume from the heights, Haute-Beaume and the surrounding area. There are many attractions: an old hermitage (in ruins), the Beaume waterfall, and flora and fauna. Please note: this hike is not suitable for everyone, as the slopes are steep and the path is narrow and rugged in several places. It is reserved for fairly fit hikers. There is a steep climb early on.

On the border between the Baronnies and the Diois, the ridges of the Montagne de Praloubeau overlook the village of Volvent and its valley with arid vegetation on the western side and, on the eastern side, Jonchères with a greener valley.Magnificent 360° panorama of the surrounding mountains, stretching as far as the Dévoluy massif to the north and Mont Ventoux to the south.

A summit in southern Diois (1613m), isolated between the Aucelon and Couspeau mountains, offers beautiful 360° views. The starting point is in Volvent, a small village of thirty inhabitants at the end of the Roanne Valley.

This route around the Combe Charonnière, which was once well documented in local hiking guides, has fallen into disuse, except for the climb up to Soubreroche. Nevertheless, this walk still has many attractions: it is an opportunity to enjoy landscapes in all directions, discover ancient remains of sheepfolds and terraced crops, and explore a beautiful forest valley that sometimes plunges deep into the ground. Although there are no major difficulties, apart from a short section in a marly area, we strongly advise hikers to take a GPS device with them, as this little-used area is sometimes covered with abundant vegetation: grass, various types of scrub and sometimes fallen trees, which can temporarily obscure the path. A beautiful walk for those who like to venture a little beyond the beaten track.

This hike in the Glandasse massif takes you up to almost 1,500 metres with unobstructed views and a 360° panorama. The originality of this hike lies in the fact that the trail takes you through a pedestrian tunnel carved into the mountainside, which is a little vertiginous.

This loop takes you through the magnificent meadows and forests above Les Tatins. At this altitude, the land often quickly becomes overgrown, as it has been abandoned by farmers and livestock breeders. This is not the case here, however, and life goes on: hay is harvested, the woods are managed, houses are preserved and more modern ones are being built. The walk is easy. It reaches and then follows the line of the passes, which offer views of the opposite slopes, then descends through woods to the hamlet of Bois Noir. A charming paved road, between wetlands, meadows and abandoned lavender fields, leads back to the starting point of this mountain walk.

A beautiful hike along the ridge between the Hautes-Alpes and the Drôme.

A beautiful, challenging loop! The trail passes through alpine pastures and beautifully flowered forests. The view from the summit is stunning, despite the modest altitude (1,686 m). Vaunières is a small village undergoing restoration thanks to young volunteers from all over the world.

The route along the ridge overlooking Rémuzat and the cliffs at the summit of Le Caire are home to majestic griffon vultures.

The great cliff of Rocher du Caire rises above Rémuzat. Look up and you'll see griffon vultures flying over the valley. Please note that a hiker has informed us that a municipal by-law (posted at the top) prohibits hiking in the opposite direction.

Both Mediterranean and Alpine, this contrasting hike reflects the diverse nature of the region. It includes some tricky sections, but the summit and ridges offer magnificent views. The feeling you get and the beauty of the landscapes are well worth the effort.