On the crests of the Méouge and Ouvèze rivers, in the Baronnies Provençales

de fr

This itinerary between the valleys of the Méouge and Ouvèze allows you to take the pulse of the Parc Naturel Régional des Baronnies Provençales. Little travelled and regularly on balconies and ridges, the route alternates between lavender fields and rocky slopes, Scots pine forests and sublime beech woods, pastoral paths and ridges with exceptional panoramic views. In addition to its particularly wild character, the few small villages it passes through are particularly picturesque, and the route allows you to explore the sublime Montagne de Chamouse from every angle.

Details

n°75688643
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 64.66 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3 days 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 2,541 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 2,528 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,523 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 595 m

Photos

Sur les crêtes de Chabre
Entre col Saint-Jean et col de Muse
Sur la crête de Chabre
Sur la crête de Chabre

Stages of the route

This route needs several days, find the details below:

  1. S
    De Saint-Auban-sur-l'Ouvèze à Izon-la-Bruisse par le sommet de Chamouse

    From Saint-Auban-sur-l'Ouvèze to Izon-la-Bruisse via the summit of Chamouse

    ↔21.41 km ↗1,182 m ↘756 m
    This is the first stage of a three-day circuit on the ridges of the Méouge and Ouvèze rivers. Between heaven and earth, this is an exceptional route, mostly along ridges. Throughout the day, there are fantastic views of the Ouvèze valley, the Provençal peaks such as Lure and Ventoux, and then the Southern Alps. This is a wild route, far from everything, ending in the equally wild micro-village of Izon-la-Bruisse.
    View the route
  2. 2
    La Crête de Chabre en boucle par Eygalayes et Ballons

    The Crête de Chabre loop via Eygalayes and Ballons

    ↔18.77 km ↗649 m ↘651 m
    This is the second stage of a three-day circuit on the crests of the Méouge and Ouvèze rivers. Starting and ending in Izon-la-Bruisse, the route passes through the two pretty villages of Eygalayes and Ballons before reaching the Crête de Chabre for a splendid view of the Dévoluy, the Écrins and the Ventoux.
    View the route
  3. E
    D'Izon-la-Bruisse à Saint-Auban-sur-l'Ouvèze par Perty et Arsuc

    From Izon-la-Bruisse to Saint-Auban-sur-l'Ouvèze via Perty and Arsuc

    ↔24.48 km ↗710 m ↘1,121 m
    This is the third and final stage of a three-day tour of the Méouge and Ouvèze ridges. You first pass through the western face of the Montagne de Chamouse, with its magnificent beech forests, before reaching the remarkable Col de Perty. Then, you'll follow the ridge for several kilometres via the summit of Arsuc and Serre de Charbouisse, enjoying breathtaking views of the Alps and the Ouvèze valley. The last third of the day allows you to explore the hamlets of the valley, in a pretty rural setting.
    View the route

Notes

The loop stage from Izon-la-Bruisse is of course optional... But it would be a shame, if you have the time, not to climb the extraordinary crests of the Montagne de Chabre and explore the little wild paths around Izon-la-Bruisse!

The difficulty of the route lies in the length of the stages, but apart from a few not very technical sections on the Crêtes de Chabre, and a few very short sections where the route is not obvious, the paths and tracks are very accessible.

Izon Nature offers unusual accommodation (tiny-houses and cabins), rooms and a table d'hôtes in a truly wild environment.

Worth a visit

The route starts from the pretty village of Saint-Auban-sur-l'Ouvèze, where there are two car parks.

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

Reviews and comments

4 / 5
Based on 1 review
Reliability of the description
4 / 5
Ease of following the route
4 / 5
Route interest
4 / 5
Maxime Lelièvre
Maxime Lelièvre

Hello,
It’s difficult to add a fourth stage, as the three stages described are already very comprehensive.
For a 4-day hike in the area, I’d recommend the Tour de la Méouge, which is also described on the website.
As for camping in the Baronnies, you need to be very careful about water (there are very few streams and springs). There are some nice spots to set up camp outside the villages, and if you’d like to pitch your tent near the accommodation described, do send a message to the owners.
Best regards,
Maxime

Machine-translated

ultraman
ultraman

Hello
Can this hike be done over four days by adding some variations? And can it be done entirely independently? Is it possible to set up camp near the end points of each stage?

Machine-translated

Maxime Lelièvre
Maxime Lelièvre

Hello,
The second day of the hike is the shortest of the three stages. If you follow the guidebook, it is not difficult to climb the Chabre ridges from Ballons to enjoy the view.
Kind regards,
Maxime

Machine-translated

User 4147849
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 04, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hello,
We have just completed the three-day Tour des Crêtes! What a wonderful experience!
We cut the second day short to go directly to Col St Jean from the village of Ballons... otherwise I don't see how we would have finished! The tour is very long with very full days!
You need to take at least 2.5 litres of water per person. We had a water purifying flask because the water points are few and far between and the water is not always 100% safe to drink.

Machine-translated

Other walks in the area

Walking From Saint-Auban-sur-l'Ouvèze to Izon-la-Bruisse via the summit of Chamouse

Visorando Member
De Saint-Auban-sur-l'Ouvèze à Izon-la-Bruisse par le sommet de Chamouse
↔21.41 km ↗+1,182 m ↘-756 m ◔9h 30 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Saint-Auban-sur-l'Ouvèze (Drôme)
This is the first stage of a three-day circuit on the ridges of the Méouge and Ouvèze rivers. Between heaven and earth, this is an exceptional route, mostly along ridges. Throughout the day, there are fantastic views of the Ouvèze valley, the Provençal peaks such as Lure and Ventoux, and then the Southern Alps. This is a wild route, far from everything, ending in the equally wild micro-village of Izon-la-Bruisse.

Walking Saint-Auban-sur-l'Ouvèze - Izon

Visorando Member
Saint-Auban-sur-l'Ouvèze - Izon
↔22.21 km ↗+1,223 m ↘-808 m ◔9h 50 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Saint-Auban-sur-l'Ouvèze (Drôme)
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.

Walking The Mountain of Banne

Visorando Member
La Montagne de Banne
↔11.40 km ↗+624 m ↘-617 m ◔5h 00 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Le Poët-en-Percip (Drôme)
A hike for lovers of unmarked trails, a partial circular on an isolated, uncrowded and wild mountain. Magnificent lavender fields at the foot of the mountain, a beautiful view of Le Poët-en-Percip and its Tunes and Loube mountains during the steady climb through broom on easy rocks. The superb circular panorama at the summit over Ventoux, the Geine mountain, the Chamouse mountain, the Écrins, the Dévoluy, the Angèle, Miélandre, the Lance...

Walking Walk in the Baronnies

Visorando Member
Balade en Baronnies
↔9.39 km ↗+416 m ↘-420 m ◔3h 50 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Vercoiran (Drôme)
A beautiful walk through vineyards, lavender fields and olive groves, as well as forests. Glimpses of stone lacework and a pretty chapel. A Mediterranean landscape with hilltop villages stretching as far as the eye can see.

Walking La Vanige and the Clavelière ridges

Visorando Member
La Vanige et les crêtes de la Clavelière
↔12.64 km ↗+951 m ↘-951 m ◔6h 20 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Montferrand-la-Fare (Drôme)
A superb hike with magnificent panoramic views: the peaks of the Baronnies, Ventoux, Dévoluy, Écrins, Queyras and Southern Alps on a clear day. La Vanige, at an altitude of 1,391 metres, overlooks a number of nearby peaks. La Clavelière, the "border of Provence", shows its two opposite slopes.

Walking The mountains of Bouvrège and Croc via the old Fort de Mévouillon

Visorando Member
Les montagnes de Bouvrège et de Croc par l'ancien Fort de Mévouillon
↔14.37 km ↗+767 m ↘-758 m ◔6h 20 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Mévouillon (Drôme)
It is an exceptional route, mostly along ridges with magnificent views of Ventoux, Montagne de Lure, the Méouge and Ouvèze valleys, and the peaks of Baronnies: Buc, Bergiès, Chamouze, Vanige, Clavelière. The hike takes you on a journey of discovery through the region's historical heritage and passes by the site of the former Fort de Mévouillon. Considered a threat by the king, the fort was razed to the ground in 1684. Several buildings (houses, churches) were built using stones from the old fort. The route is fairly wild and little frequented.

Walking Tour of Rocher des Mieyes

Visorando Member
Tour du Rocher des Mieyes
↔11.60 km ↗+491 m ↘-493 m ◔4h 45 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Bésignan (Drôme)
Beautiful view of the Ennuye Valley.

Walking Circular starting from Besignan via the Col d'Autanne and Col d'Anjuan passes.

Visorando Member
Boucle au départ de Besignan par le Col d'Autanne et le Col d'Anjuan
↔14.05 km ↗+585 m ↘-592 m ◔5h 40 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Bésignan (Drôme)
A hike where you can enjoy permanent views of the surrounding mountains, from La Vanige to Montagne de Raton and the summit of Linceuil. You will be in the centre of a magnificent mountain cirque. Sometimes on forest paths, sometimes on trails, this walk offers you magnificent landscapes. You will cross no less than four passes and impressive reliefs. This hike is not suitable for dogs! See practical information.

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.