The Crête de Chabre loop via Eygalayes and Ballons

Important: if you have not spent the night in Izon-la-Bruisse and are doing a day hike, there is no need to drive up to the village; it is better to start from Ballons or Eygalayes (shorter and easier route). In Ballons and Eygalayes, parking is available near the two town halls.

(S/E)From Izon Nature (bed and breakfast, unusual accommodation), start by following the paved road that descends 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 turns sharply to the left, leave it and continue straight ahead, going around a lavender field on the left. On the other side of the field, find a path that descends to the river. Cross it and head south-east, then south on a more distinct path that winds between the broom bushes.

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

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

(4) At the Col de Séouze, follow the GRP® towards Lachau.

(5) At the junction with the tarmac road, leave the GRP® and follow the road on the right to the centre of the village of Ballons.

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

(7) At Les Pommeries, follow the signs for Pas de Ste-Colombe on the left.

(8) Be careful when the PR® climbs up to the left at an intersection. A short distance from Pas de Sainte-Colombe, cross another path and climb up to the left.

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

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

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

(12) At the 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.