The Tour of the Baronnies Provençales

This circular route, starting from the charming medieval town of Serres, accessible by train, gives pride of place to the ridges and peaks of the massif. Between the Hautes-Alpes and Drôme, each day offers spectacular views and aerial trails, without any major technical difficulties. Small Provençal villages, perfectly integrated into the landscape, punctuate this particularly wild and uncrowded route. Between lively and diverse forests, golden pastures, lavender fields and prominent limestone rocks, this part of the Baronnies, with its strong rural and mountainous character, offers exceptional panoramic views of the Southern Alps and the nearby Provençal peaks every day.

Photos

Stages of the route

This route needs several days, find the details below:

1. S
   

   Serres - Praboyer Lodge

   16.91 km 1,016 m 693 m

   Set off in style on this revisited Tour des Baronnies. Throughout the morning, the narrow path winds along the ridges overlooking Serres, winding its way between beautiful rocks and twisted Scots pines. At Serre de la Bouisse, the view of the Baronnies and the Alpine peaks is breathtaking. Then, between the bucolic Col d'Arron and the finish, the path progresses delightfully, like a balcony, under the Montagne de l'Aup. Finally, the Praboyer lodge is located in the heart of nature.

   View the route
2. 2
   

   Lodge de Praboyer - Rosans

   15.18 km 637 m 905 m

   This stage is different from the previous one, less airy, but the second half has some wonderful surprises in store. From the Col des Pins, the view opens up onto the wide agricultural valley of Rosans, which is magnificent. Above all, the final stretch is particularly fabulous. Directly above Rosans, the trail literally plunges down towards the old village, a marvel of the Baronnies.

   View the route
3. 3
   

   Rosans - Saint-Auban-sur-l'Ouvèze

   19.41 km 914 m 990 m

   Connecting these two beautiful little villages is a very varied stage, which takes the time to explore the Provençal countryside between meadows, orchards and hamlets. The summit of La Vanige, which is optional, is clearly worth the detour for its adventurous climb and aesthetic rocky ridge.

   View the route
4. 4
   

   Saint-Auban-sur-l'Ouvèze - Izon

   22.21 km 1,223 m 808 m

   Perhaps the most beautiful stage of the Tour des Baronnies. Between heaven and earth, it is an exceptional route, mostly along ridges. Throughout the day, there are fantastic views over the Ouvèze valley, the Provençal peaks such as Lure and Ventoux, and then the Southern Alps. The route is particularly wild, far from everything, ending in the equally wild micro-village of Izon-la-Bruisse.

   View the route
5. 5
   

   Izon-la-Bruisse - Orpierre

   16.71 km 612 m 971 m

   Another beautiful stage to reach the medieval village of Orpierre, surrounded by its famous cliffs. Straddling the Céans and Méouge valleys, this time it is the endless, narrow Chabre ridge that serves as the guiding thread for the hike, culminating in the picturesque Col Saint-Ange and its climbing walls.

   View the route
6. 6
   

   Orpierre - Trescléoux

   9.20 km 643 m 692 m

   A short but very pretty stage, especially the second part. The exit from Orpierre, via the heights, is fantastic, thanks to the bird's eye view of the narrow village nestled in the cliffs. After Le Suillet, a beautiful ridge and a memorable passage through the black marl, the GR® passes by the Mont Garde lodge.

   View the route
7. E
   

   Trescléoux - Serres

   17.92 km 931 m 902 m

   A grand finale for this revisited Tour des Baronnies. Along the ridges of Aumage and Eyglière, the peaks of Dévoluy and Écrins have never seemed so close. The Buëch Valley stretches out below us, and the 360° views allow us to retrace the path we have travelled over the last seven days: Serre de la Bouisse, Chamouse, Chabre and other peaks emerge on the horizon, bringing back fond memories.

   View the route