Ichthyosaur Geological Site

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This easy hike takes you to a fossil of an ichthyosaur, a large marine reptile measuring over 4 m and dating back 183 million years. The trail runs along a fairly cool ravine before climbing up a slope covered with downy oak and beech trees to the Col du Jas. The archaeological site is located 200 m after the pass.

Details

n°38726115
Creation:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 4.02 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 176 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 176 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 866 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 705 m
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Photos

ichthyosaur site
Ichthyosaur fossil
Panoramic view from the ichthyosaur site
Flower meadow at the Col du Jas

Description of the walk

From Digne-les-Bains, take the D900a towards Barles. The Ravin du Bélier car park, located on the side of the road, is 2 km after the crossroads leading to the village of La Robine-sur-Galabre.

(S/E) Head north-west and follow the marked trail that starts at the end of the car park. Walk up the valley and follow the stream. Climb up through a forest of downy oaks and then, after crossing a footbridge, through a beech forest. At the edge of the forest, continue along the winding path to the Col du Jas.

(1) Continue straight ahead (south-east; ignore the path branching off to the right). Descend and you will soon reach the ichthyosaur site (building).

(2) Return to the car park (S/E) by following the same route you took on the way there.

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 705 m - Ravin de Bélier car park - Bès (rivière) - Affluent de la Bléone
  2. 1 : km 1.85 - alt. 862 m - Col du Jas
  3. 2 : km 2.01 - alt. 834 m - Site de l'ichtyosaure (fossile)
  4. S/E : km 4.02 - alt. 705 m - Ravin de Bélier car park

Notes

This route is pleasant in summer as the path to the pass is very shady.

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 5 reviews
Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
5 / 5
Route interest
4.4 / 5
JulieFJ
JulieFJ

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 27, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant short walk to discover the fossil, which is well presented. There is plenty of shade along the way, making it pleasant in summer.

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Claude Rolland
Claude Rolland

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 02, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A pleasant, easy walk. A gently sloping path through the woods, alongside a stream. You leave the woods and arrive at the Jas Pass, close to the Ichthyosaur, which you need to study at length to make out its shape. It is not a fish but a reptile that fossilised after being covered in mud. Ichthyosaurs disappeared 90 million years ago, before the large reptiles disappeared 65 million years ago. Great for families.

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aagnesnono
aagnesnono

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 24, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very pleasant short walk with the added interest of a well-maintained and well-documented paleontological site.

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lauryj
lauryj

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 27, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Easy round trip. Beautiful view of the mountains near Digne from the site. The main attraction, however, is the ichthyosaur fossil, which is now completely sheltered under a glass hut. Less spectacular than before, but better protected from potential damage.

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plevy04@gmail.com
plevy04@gmail.com

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 25, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

a peaceful hike in a beautiful setting just a stone's throw from Digne-les-Bains.

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