La Colette - Piégu around Mirabeau

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A lovely, not too long walk with beautiful views of the Durance and Bléone valleys.

Details

n°422703
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 11.81 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 498 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 505 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,084 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 623 m
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Photos

there is a forest of cedars on the right and oak trees on the left as you descend towards the return trail.

Description of the walk

After passing through the village of Mirabeau, park in the car park at Les Églunins.

(S/E) Head north towards the Carrefour des Graniers crossroads, where signs for theGR®406will point you towards the Col des Pénitents.

(1) Follow the red and whiteGR® trail to the Col des Pénitents. Stay on the main path, ignoring any side paths. This route will take you across several fords and under a power line.

(2) At the pass, leave theGR® and take a path on the right (north-east) that climbs quite steeply. Follow this path (marked "trail" with red dots) along the ridge. All along the way, enjoy superb views of the Durance and Bléone valleys. Continue in this direction until you reach the summit of La Colette (1,090 m - marker).

(3) At the summit, leave the red markings and turn right (east-south-east) onto the path that descends towards Piégu until you reach a track.

(4) From this point, turn south to climb Piégu (enjoy the view).

(5) Retrace your steps to the previous crossroads.

(4) Take the track on the right that descends into the forest and follow it to the Ravin de Barrabine.

(6) Turn right onto the path that follows the ravine and walk along a stream, heading generally south. You will arrive at Garce.

(7) Continue south to return to the junction of the loop (Carrefour des Garniers).

(1) Retrace your steps to reach the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 659 m - Parking at Les Églunins
  2. 1 : km 0.15 - alt. 651 m - Carrefour des Garniers
  3. 2 : km 3.89 - alt. 731 m - Col des Pénitents
  4. 3 : km 6.09 - alt. 1,084 m - Summit of La Colette
  5. 4 : km 6.55 - alt. 988 m - Crossroads towards Piégu
  6. 5 : km 7.06 - alt. 1,003 m - Piégu
  7. 6 : km 8.79 - alt. 801 m - Barrabine Ravine
  8. 7 : km 11.08 - alt. 682 m - Garce
  9. S/E : km 11.81 - alt. 659 m - Parking at Les Églunins

Worth a visit

On the way, you can see the village of Mirabeau and the early 18th-century castle, which was half burned down.

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

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Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 27 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.9 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
Lou cigalou
Lou cigalou

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 09, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike. We did the route in the direction indicated, which was just as well because it had rained the day before and the ground was very slippery. Going in the opposite direction, the descent would have been tricky, even dangerous, because the gradient is quite steep. We had a picnic at the top of Piegu with a breathtaking view! The descent was easy and problem-free.

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Kercap
Kercap

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike with stunning views of the Durance and Bleone valleys, with the added bonus of the Penitents des Mées in the distance. Be careful at point number 2, the fork to the right where you take the small path that climbs quite steeply, as the red dot painted on the tree is not very visible. The distance indicated was accurate for us, but the elevation gain was a little higher than the 660 m indicated. Done on 14/09/25. Lots of mulberry trees with ripe fruit on the return route.

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User 26605448

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 21, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike with some very pretty views. However, we strayed off the path for a moment at the Colette pass because it was too overgrown. We were able to find our way back easily. The climbs are steep, but the effort is well rewarded by the view. We ended the morning with a meal in a restaurant next to the town hall in Mirabeau. Excellent value for money.

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Roberto04
Roberto04

In the hike description, it says that there is no return to the starting point?
Having done it four years ago, I don't remember making a return trip.
Please correct this if necessary.
Roberto 04

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degavroche
degavroche

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 25, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A short hike with steep slopes after the Col des Pénitents. Beautiful beds of fragrant thyme. Lovely views.

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GjRobert
GjRobert

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 22, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful walk with magnificent views from the ridges. The climb was a little difficult for our old legs and ankles (we have a combined age of 157), but we took the descent in a very playful manner (often on our backsides) and took our time, which made it much easier. It took us just under four hours. We met a young couple on the way up who kept us company.
An excellent afternoon with blue skies but a bit windy.
We highly recommend it.

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Duprez Michel
Duprez Michel

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 05, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very scenic hike through the Durance and Bléone valleys. This route can be completed without having to retrace your steps and has a more gradual elevation gain. Beautiful view from the summit of Piégu.

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GG13
GG13

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 23, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful route offering stunning views. The climb up to La Colette is very steep, as is the descent, so walking sticks are highly recommended. But the scenery is well worth the effort.

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bonardi
bonardi

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 25, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Easy hike to find on the map with very clear directions.

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Randoplaisir
Randoplaisir

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 20, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

An interesting hike with beautiful views. No significant difficulties for average hikers. Please note that the climb to the top of Colette can be challenging and requires sturdy footwear; walking sticks are strongly recommended. There are few precise signs along the route. Take care on the descent between the top of Colette and the Piégu crossroads.

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Géryf
Géryf

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 05, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike with magnificent views of the ridge between the Madeleine and Piégu peaks.
The climb up to La Madeleine is very steep with unstable pebbly ground, making this section difficult: walking sticks are recommended. Avoid after rain. Otherwise, the rest is easy. The return route is a track in full sun, best avoided in summer. Plan to picnic at La Madeleine under the oak trees if it is hot, otherwise at the summit of Piégu, which is in full sun.

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alain-maurice
alain-maurice

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 04, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

An interesting hike with beautiful views.
The climb up the Col des Pénitents to the Petite Colette is a bit steep and may seem difficult for those who are not used
to this kind of terrain.

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12jui4mar16edmo48
12jui4mar16edmo48

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 11, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

The hike offers beautiful views. The last part is a bit long.

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Biscotte04
Biscotte04

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 19, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Very good route for winter.
Good description. Beautiful views of the two valleys.
We weren't disappointed with this reconnaissance trip. ...my colleague took a group there...no problems. Nonolerobot has already left a comment.
Thanks to the author and Visorando

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Roubaud Eliane
Roubaud Eliane

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 04, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A surprising hike; the trail starts off almost flat, then climbs steeply (+++) to the summit. Fortunately, there is a flat section between each of the four climbs.
Be careful on part of the descent. Then there is a long return trip on a stony path, which should be avoided in hot weather.
but a good memory!

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