The Barre du Pidanoux starting from Saint-Julien-du-Verdon

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The Barre du Pidanoux hike overlooks Lake Castillon and the village of Saint-Julien-du-Verdon. It offers exceptional panoramic views.
Note: The entire hike is marked with yellow lines.

Details

n°24993507
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 4.30 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,017 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,017 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 4,012 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 2,995 ft
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Photos

The Pidanoux ridges starting from Saint-Julien-du-Verdon
Pidanoux viewpoint

Description of the walk

Park in the village of Saint-Julien-du-Verdon in the car park near the playground. There is also a car park at the start of the hike, on the bend in the N202 towards Saint-André-les-Alpes, just before the memorial to 11 June 1944.

(S/E) Continue along the road to reach the bend in the N202.

(1) Take the small road on the right. There is a yellow sign indicating the start of the hike.  
Follow this small road and then the dirt track that follows it. Reach the Barre de Pidanoux ridge.

(2) Turn right at almost 180° and continue along this ridge. Climb steeply to reach the middle of the Barre du Pidanoux on an easier plateau.

(3) Continue at a leisurely pace to reach the Belvédère du Pidanoux viewpoint.

(4) Retrace your steps to return to the car park at Saint-Julien-du-Verdon (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 2,995 ft - Saint-Julien-du-Verdon car park - Lac de Castillon
  2. 1 : mi 0.3 - alt. 2,999 ft - N202 bend
  3. 2 : mi 1.29 - alt. 3,524 ft - Ridge
  4. 3 : mi 1.73 - alt. 3,911 ft - Barre du Pidanoux
  5. 4 : mi 2.15 - alt. 4,012 ft - Pidanoux viewpoint
  6. S/E : mi 4.3 - alt. 2,995 ft - Saint-Julien-du-Verdon car park - Lac de Castillon

Notes

Bring water, a hat and walking shoes.

Worth a visit

Between (3) and (4), enjoy remarkable views of Lake Castillon and the village of Saint-Julien-du-Verdon.
(S/E) Swimming is possible in summer in Lake Castillon at Touron Bay in Saint-Julien-du-Verdon. Supervised swimming.

Reviews and comments

4.9 / 5
Based on 10 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.9 / 5
Ease of following the route
5 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
lilou5410
lilou5410

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 21, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

An easy hike. The climb is very pleasant through a beautiful forest, past broom and other spring flowers, with views of the lake. Once at the top, there’s a magnificent view of Lake Castillon. We had a picnic there. The descent along the same path is just as pleasant. I highly recommend it.

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Xtophe
Xtophe

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 04, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The path is very easy to follow – it’s worth noting, however, that the section leading up to the ‘turn’ on the hike is quite steep, so it’s best to wear good walking boots.
Once on the ridge, the scenery and the view are simply magnificent and well worth the initial effort! Highly recommended.

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bendher
bendher

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 15, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike started Superb views throughout the hike!

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jeco
jeco

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 09, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Easy route; magnificent views of the Verdon and Lake Castillon with a superb viewpoint.

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dauphinois
dauphinois

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 30, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant hike offering beautiful views of Lake Castillon during the ascent. The ridge section also offers stunning scenery.

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GABY et OLIVIER
GABY et OLIVIER

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 03, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike, the path is pleasant and offers beautiful views of Lake Castillon.
No difficulty, the description is accurate.
We only met two people!

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patrick55
patrick55

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 15, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Magnificent view of Lake Verdon. Very pleasant hike, best avoided during very hot periods.

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ADF
ADF

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 02, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

:

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eglantine83700
eglantine83700

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 02, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A steady climb, sometimes through woodland, to reach a splendid viewpoint over Lake Castillon.

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serge_viaud
serge_viaud

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 29, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful, pleasant and harmonious hike.

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