From the Bourne farm to Saint-Martin-les-Eaux

This is a hike that can be done with children. On the way there, you will have beautiful views of pretty villages such as Lincel and Saint-Michel-l'Observatoire. On the way back, the views of the snow-capped Alps are superb. The beautiful village of Saint-Martin-les-Eaux is also worth seeing, with its church and nativity scenes in December and January. Enjoy your walk!
Moderator's warning on 06/02/2021: Please note There are maintenanceissues on the trails at the start of the route. See reviews.

Details

92614
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.34 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 20 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 174 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 169 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 650 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 517 m

Photos

Description of the walk

From Manosque, take the D907 and drive for about 4 km. At the top of the pass and just before the descent, turn right onto the small road above the Bourne farm. Follow this road for about 500 m and park in the small dirt car park in the hamlet of Barême.

(S/E) Follow this road straight north until you reach a fork.

(1). Take the left-hand path downhill, staying on the ridge (do not join the streams below, on the left or right). At the end of the path, join the D505.

(2) Turn right onto this road and proceed with caution, even though there is not much traffic. Continue to Saint-Martin-les-Eaux.

(3). Turn right and cross this beautiful village. After the church, turn into thefirst street on the left, which climbs steeply and continues with steps. After the steps, the street becomes a path. Continue climbing until you come to another perpendicular street. Go straight on along the small path, which initially heads east and then gradually turns south-east.
You will come to a path perpendicular to yours. Turn left and then immediately right (south). Continue climbing and you will have beautiful views of the Alps. You will come to a road.

(4) Continue straight ahead on the wide path to the south-west, going downhill. Then climb slightly to reach a crossroads in a right-hand hairpin bend.

(5) Stay on the wide path and follow two hairpin bends uphill to return to the initial crossroads you passed on the way out.

(1) Turn left and retrace your steps to return to the Barême car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 630 m - Car park in the hamlet of Barême
  2. 1 : km 0.71 - alt. 649 m - Crossroads of the circular loop
  3. 2 : km 1.97 - alt. 517 m - D505
  4. 3 : km 2.87 - alt. 553 m - Saint-Martin-les-Eaux
  5. 4 : km 3.79 - alt. 611 m - Road coming from Saint-Martin-les-Eaux
  6. 5 : km 4.53 - alt. 596 m - Hairpin bend
  7. S/E : km 6.34 - alt. 630 m - Car park in the hamlet of Barême

Notes

Always bring good walking shoes, water, and a backpack with first aid supplies.

Worth a visit

If you are leaving from Manosque (Giono's homeland), stop at the Tourist Office and visit the town, with its beautiful gates and old town centre.
(3) You will also love Saint-Martin-les-Eaux, a charming, beautifully restored village. Be sure to stop at the church.

Reviews and comments

4 / 5
Based on 11 reviews

Reliability of the description
3.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.3 / 5
Route interest
4.2 / 5
BLU
BLU

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 07, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely little hike on well-marked trails or paths, the stretch of road you follow is not very busy and allows you to familiarise yourself with the thermal baths from the last century. A few comments:
- The car park indicated no longer exists; it is now a bend at the entrance to the track on the left, and locals "advise against" parking there (risk of your car being moved)! This can make parking difficult... You can leave your vehicle just after leaving the RD907 if possible without causing any obstruction, or simply start the hike in St-Martin...
- At fork 1), you have to go around the side of the large metal gate, which is often closed, if you want to stay on the trail.
- If you have animals, watch out for the numerous processionary caterpillars and the now inevitable sheepdogs during sheep season.
- In St-Martin, there is a good restaurant, but with dishes costing €20, it may not be affordable for everyone!

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brayman
brayman

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 14, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Early start, chilly (very) but glorious sunshine.
We reversed direction to avoid glare: magnificent view of the snow-capped Alps.
In this direction, the route is easy.
Along the way, there is a nice alternative route (+ approx. 1 km – signposted) to the village, which is worth a leisurely visit (as is the little restaurant...).
On the way back, a bit of tarmac – at the end, a detour to the right below provides information about the thermal activities that took place between the two wars (sulphurous springs).
Cross the road again and enjoy a nice climb to reach the plateau and your car.
A lovely, healthy walk.

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vacoa
vacoa

Overall rating : 2.5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 06, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : Not used / Not applicable
Very busy route : No

Impossible to find the start of this circular route! There have been recent developments near what could be the start. It would be wise to review the description. Thank you.

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092747
092747

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 03, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Please note: halfway between points 2 and 3, do not stay on the widest and most marked path, which makes a very sharp right turn, but continue straight ahead (north-northwest) on the path that descends and ends in a field (point 3). Then take the small path on the right to reach the D505.Opposite and below the road, don't miss the iron-rich spring and the information point on local thermalism.

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ag13
ag13

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 06, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

At point 2, you have to cross a new barrier, otherwise you'll be going the wrong way round on the route. Which isn't a bad thing, as it means you can stop off at the Saint Martin les Eaux restaurant-bistro for a coffee, after having a picnic at the point with the best view.

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reilmi
reilmi

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 06, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

We did the hike backwards due to a lack of precision in point 2. It said to take a fork to the left on the way there, but as there was an open gate at that point, we didn't dare go through it and took the path that was supposed to be the way back. Otherwise, it was a pleasant hike.

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jfmc
jfmc

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : May 08, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

It would be important to specify how to reach the Bourne D907 farm, which is certainly not easy to find depending on your entry point into Manosque. At the top of the pass, but which pass? In short, we did the route in reverse, starting from Saint Martin les Eaux. Thank you for providing directions. Otherwise, it's a nice little walk for an afternoon or to work up an appetite.
Kind regards
Martine and Jef

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chrisguil
chrisguil
• Edited:

I couldn't do it, I couldn't find the starting point, sorry.

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Maurice B1.
Maurice B1.

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 20, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Nice hike with a few inaccuracies
The car park is closer to 700 metres than 500
When you turn left at the first fork, there is a gate and we thought it was private property and off-limits
Then, when you take the very steep path further on the right, why not mention that it leads to the D505 at the educational point on the thermal waters of St Martin des Eaux (the route is not accurate at this point).
The village is very pleasant with its beautiful, well-restored church, and the views of St Michel l'Observatoire are excellent.
Thank you for this route.

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gazok54
gazok54 ★

Thank you, michelmancion, for your comment.
Visorando is a website that offers hikes that are often off the beaten track and therefore unmarked. However, it is essential that you take the description and the IGN map extract (pdf) with you.

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michelmancion
michelmancion

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 02, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average

Hello, I did the hike using the route I downloaded, then I set my smartphone to GPS mode, which enabled me to complete it because there was no route provided by the federation. When you suggest routes, wouldn't it be better to suggest routes that are already marked, because if we lose our GPS, we have nothing to guide us and it could be difficult to find our way back.
Thank you.

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mimibob04
mimibob04

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 21, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A lovely little walk, a bit short for my taste, but it allowed us to visit Saint-Martin les Eaux and meet some nice people!
Be careful, there are lots of processionary caterpillar nests!

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plevy04@gmail.com
plevy04@gmail.com

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 04, 2015
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Magnificent region. Beautiful hike near Manosque.

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