The Crête de Chabre loop via Eygalayes and Ballons

Important: if you did not stay overnight in Izon-la-Bruisse the previous night and are going on a day hike, there’s no point driving up to the village; instead, set off from Ballons or Eygalayes (a shorter and easier route). In Ballons and Eygalayes, there is parking available near both town halls.

(S/E)From Izon Nature (bed and breakfast, guest table, unique accommodation), start by following the tarmac road which slopes down slightly, passing the fountain and then over the bridge.

(1) A few metres after the first hairpin bend on the right, take a track on the left. When the track veers sharply to the left, leave it and continue straight on, skirting a lavender field on the left. On the other side of the field, join a path that descends to the river. Cross the river and head south-east, then due south along a more clearly marked path that winds through the broom.

(2) A few metres before the first house in the village of Eygalayes, head down to the right across a meadow to rejoin a small road. Follow it down towards the church, which you should go round to the right. Then turn left to come out at some fountains and the old wash house.

(3) At the wash house, head towards the Col de Séouze – Lachau.

(4) At the Col de Séouze, follow the signs for Ballons via the GRP®.

(5) When you reach the tarmac road, leave the GRP® and follow the road to the right until you reach the centre of the village of Ballons.

(6) At the sign for Ballons, just past the town hall, follow signs for Les Pommeries and Sainte-Colombe. Pass the cemetery and continue uphill along the road, then the main track. At a fork in the road, take the right-hand branch.

(7) At Les Pommeries, turn left towards Pas de Sainte-Colombe.

(8) Take care where the PR® climbs to the left at a junction. A short distance from the Pas de Sainte-Colombe, you’ll come to another path; take this one, heading uphill to the left.

(9) At the Pas de Sainte-Colombe, turn left (south-west) and follow the GRP® towards the Col du Lavavour and the Col Saint-Jean.

(10) At the Pas du Lavavour, follow the GRP® towards the Col Saint-Jean.

(11) Below the Col Saint-Jean, follow the signs for Col de Muze and Izon-la-Bruisse.

(12) At Col de Muze, leave the road and follow the GRP® to Izon-la-Bruisse (S/E).

Accommodation in Izon-la-Bruisse: Izon Nature, guest rooms and table d'hôte, unusual accommodation (cabins, tiny houses, rooms).

If the weather is likely to turn stormy in the afternoon, it may be wise to do the route in reverse so that you can walk along the Chabre ridge in the morning!

This hike is best done in April-May-June and September-October-November. In summer, it can be very hot in the Baronnies Provençales, and in winter, some paths (particularly in the Gorges de la Méouge) may be impassable or snow-covered.

Set off with plenty of water, as most fountains are not checked and some (such as in Izon-la-Bruisse) may have a very low flow rate in all seasons.

On the Chabre ridge, some sections are a little exposed for those who are prone to vertigo. Nothing too complicated, even for beginners, but you need to be careful in wet or windy conditions.