Beynes Mountain

Park in the car park at the Col de la Croix

(S/E) Take the track starting at the bend in the D17. Follow the slight incline to the Quatre Chemins signpost.

(1) Turn left onto the path, which quickly becomes a trail. Follow a forest clearing before reaching a trail. Descend to the left and reach the track leading to the Haut Vériscle house.

(2) Follow it to the left, pass under this house and reach a crossroads of tracks at the end of the descent.

(3) Turn right and begin a long climb, keeping to the right on the track at the next crossroads. Take two tight hairpin bends to reach the end of an almost straight stretch at another crossroads.

(4) Continue straight ahead, cross a stream higher up and, a few dozen metres further on, you will come to a trail junction.

(5) Turn right onto this path, climb up into the forest and join a trail. Turn right and, shortly after the first hairpin bend, take the path on the right. Further up, join another trail.

(6) Cross it and continue straight ahead on the path.

(7) Come to a track and continue on the path to reach a ridge.

(8) Take it on the right. Pass a small pass and continue opposite, crossing until you reach a new ridge. Climb up to the right to the summit plateau, pass under the cross and reach the summit of Montagne de Beynes, paying close attention to the markings as the path is not very visible between the box trees.

(9) Then descend the opposite slope, following the cairns. Stay on the path, which gradually becomes more visible as you approach the rocky ridge. Follow this ridge and join another path at Pas du Baou.

(10) Turn right to cross this pass and continue across until you reach the forest track.

(11) Take it on the left, continue downhill to reach the Piste du Jas de Guigou.

(12) Turn right onto it for a few metres, then turn left onto the path. Stay on this path, ignoring the paths that branch off to the right or left. You will then come back to the Quatre Chemins crossroads that you passed on the way there.

(1) Turn left and follow the same route you took on the way there to return to the Col de la Croix car park (S/E).

Towns crossed: Beynes and Senez
Road access and car parks: from Digne-les-Bains (20 km), follow the N85 towards Nice, then take the D907 towards Mézel. After crossing the Asse, turn left onto the D17 towards Majastres until you reach the Col de la Croix.

Please note: this route crosses the protected area of the Haute-Provence Geological Nature Reserve.