The Saint-Mens Hill as seen from Gap

In Gap, head to Boulevard Bellevue and the car park at the Saint-Mens care home, above the ice rink.
The starting point is accessible by bus (lines 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6: La Blâche stop, or the Centro B shuttle: EHPAD Saint-Mens stop).

(S/E) From the car park, take the path that climbs to the left of the EHPAD and goes round the building to enter a small wood. On leaving the wood, cross the Blâche field to the hiking signpost opposite.

(1) Go up a small slope to join the Chemin de Saint-Jacques (^GR® 653 D) to the left. Follow it straight up to the Molines picnic area and continue along the path leading uphill opposite until you reach the road.

(2) Cross the road and take the track opposite, passing the ONF barrier. The track makes a wide hairpin bend and passes by the start of a downhill mountain-bike route (wooden structure). Continue the climb along the^GR® to the Col de Saint-Mens.

(3) At the Oratoire Saint-Jacques, follow the small tarmac road that runs along the ridge and enjoy the panoramic views over the Gap region and Treschâtel.

(4) When you reach the gate of a farm, take the small path that descends to the right into the woods. At the next small junction, continue down the path straight ahead, ignoring the path that branches off to the right along the hillside. Just before you reach the tarmac road, follow the path to the right, running alongside the treetop adventure park.

(5) Cross the road to take the path straight ahead, then take the narrow path that dips to the left until it joins the uphill route. Follow this for about a hundred metres to the left.

(1) This time, continue along the path opposite until you reach Allée Raoul Venderbecq. Head down it to the right to reach the car park where you started (S/E).

Shorter alternative route (marked 3 bis): at the junction of four paths after point (2), turn right onto the path that climbs more steeply (signposted “Col de Saint-Mens”). Then, on returning to point (1), follow the original route to get back to the car park more quickly (saving one kilometre).

Picnic areas in the Molines woodland (2) and a treetop adventure course.

This shaded route is pleasant on hot days.

Oratory of Saint James of Compostela

Built on the Col de Saint-Mens overlooking the town of Gap, it marks the route of the Way of St James. Modern in design, it is constructed from exposed stone with terracotta elements incorporated into the structure, embodying the full symbolism of pilgrimages. The niche contains a glazed ceramic statue of the saint.