Trois-Évêchés walks

Long north-south oriented ridge, the Barre des Dourbes ridge separates the basin of Digne-les-Bains from the Barrême syncline. Rising in stages over twenty kilometres, culminating Pic de Couar some 1988 m above sea level.

This route allows you to discover the famous Eaux Tortes site starting from the Vallon du Laverq.

This lovely, easy walk will take you to a very alpine setting in just a few dozen minutes from the car park. The climb to Lac Noir is gentle and the scenery is very pleasant. You then reach Dormillouse at 2,505 metres, the highest point of the walk, after a steep but easy climb. There is a splendid view from the fort at the summit and the return journey is via the spectacular military path overlooking the Blanche valley.

An easy, often shaded walk for the whole family. Superb view of Digne and its thermal baths from the belvedere.

A beautiful climb to the mountain pastures and the three lakes of Col Bas through a beautiful forest of larch and Swiss pine trees. IMPORTANT: This hike crosses an area with wetlands that are rich in biodiversity but very fragile and subject to three levels of protection (APPB, ENS, Natura 2000). It is therefore important to preserve them by refraining from crossing them, particularly between Lac du Milieu and Lac Noir, where you must take care to follow the marked trail. Reminder: it is forbidden to light fires, swim in the lakes or camp near the wetlands. Dogs must be kept on a leash. In addition, a chairlift from Montclar arrives at Lac Noir, bringing dozens of walkers to the immediate vicinity of the lake. If you like peace and quiet, it is advisable to avoid the days when this chairlift is in operation. You can find the opening days on the Montclar town hall website or on the "Montclar Domaine Skiable" website.

This hike is suitable for the whole family and will take you through the "dark" side of the Saint-Vincent-les-Forts Forest with its pine and spruce trees. You will also discover the Canal de la Pisse, an old irrigation system that is still in use today.

The Estrop massif (2 days) where you will discover the source of the Bléone and the Verdon, a few kilometres further on above the Col d'Allos. See the practical information for accessing the hike to the summit of Estrop.

A lovely tour that allows us to discover the villages of yesteryear and their enchanting surroundings. There is also a small restored church where you can even camp. A real break is on the cards!

Starting from the Church of Costebelle, in the commune of La Bréole, this route, suitable for ordinary walkers, will take you to Lake Saint-Léger, in the neighbouring commune of Montclar.

Although not very high, the Cousson dominates the region because it is an isolated peak. This gentle walk will take you to the original St-Michel Chapel on its perch, then to the southern summit with its stunning view. This walk offers excellent value for money in terms of the view/difficulty of the climb! Ideal for families. Allow 3 to 3½ hours for the walk, no more. There are no surprises.

A short hike to a waterfall that is well worth the effort.

The summit of the Estrop massif at an altitude of 2,961 metres.

Hike in the northern part of the Coupe mountain, east of Digne-les-Bains, between the Bléone and Issole valleys. After a beautiful climb through the forest, you will reach two peaks approaching 2,000 metres, offering superb panoramic views. The hike starts in Archail, a small village 13 km from Digne-les-Bains, which can be reached by a road, already magnificent, that runs alongside the Bouinenc torrent.

A superb, very easy circular walk at the Col Saint-Jean, ideal for children of all ages! "Discovery trail" with a birdwatching hide near Lake Saint-Léger (don't forget your binoculars), a mysterious archaeological site, the Saint-Léger Chapel, a view of the Dormillouse fort at the top of the Blanche ridge... Very shaded route.

Circular route around the Séolane.

A very beautiful hike above Archail. Superb views throughout the walk and at the summit. A very pleasant setting.

A pleasant hike. Departure from the pretty village of Entrages. The chapel on its spur is a must-see. At the summit of Cousson, there is a beautiful 360° panorama.

A short hike offering the chance to explore the beautiful rocky massif of Roche Close. The area around the Cabane des Mulets offers an opportunity to spot marmots.

Near the Sestrière hut, discover the sources of the Verdon. Once at the summit, enjoy magnificent views of the Grande Séolane, the Blanche du Laverq, Allos and Ubaye valleys.

Variation (extension) of the route leading to the peaks of Couard and Cucuyon, but allowing you to walk along a magnificent ridge line and make a circular route. Many thanks to the hiker I met on the descent from the summit of Couard who made this brilliant suggestion.

A beautiful snowshoe hike (or walk in summer) even in heavy snowfall, in a magnificent setting, with the first part in the forest and the second in the mountain pastures.

A moderately difficult hike with a few narrow sections, scree slopes and rocky terrain. A largely shaded route featuring three fountains, the old Châtelard battery, the Pisse Canal with superb views of the Pisse Waterfall, the lake and the Ubaye Valley.

This modified hike takes you around the entire Feston and its ridge, with some off-trail sections. It allows you to discover the magnificent panorama offered by the entire Barre des Dourbes. The lunch break in front of such a sumptuous panorama is just begging to be extended. An alternative shuttle service allows you to make a detour to the ruins of the Château de la Reine Jeanne and the Chapelle Saint-Pons. GPS and/or map reading skills are highly recommended.

Reserved for very good walkers, this hike will take you to the summit of Dormillouse (2,508 m) via a varied but demanding route in a wild setting.

A lovely circular route passing through the hamlets of Val d'Allos le Village

A shaded hike along a mountain path forming part of the transhumance routes (“La Routo”), in a valley that has returned to its wild state between La Javie and Saint-Pierre de Beaujeu. A walk through varied wooded areas where you’ll encounter fascinating wildlife (in spring: orchids including the bee orchid), a visit to a hamlet, now uninhabited, with a basic but always open refuge.

Starting from the Val d'Allos - La Foux resort, you can follow the route that takes you to this pretty little mountain lake, surrounded by larch trees.

Discover the Sources du Verdon, finishing at the Cabane de la Sestrière.

Trail on the left bank of a bubbling stream, very pretty panorama of the pretty hamlet of Chasse and Villars-Colmars. From the hamlet of Chasse, the route crosses the stream, then loops around the slope of the Gardette mountain.

Discover the Sources du Verdon, reaching the summit with a magnificent view of the Grande Séolane.

Le Chastelas is a curious karst collapse on a flattened summit. But it is also the destination of a lovely, shaded and panoramic hike, as the view from the summit is magnificent. Return via the Galèbre valley.

Thefirst stage of this two-day route. An easy day’s walk to get you properly warmed up for the next day’s stage. The ascent of the Baisse de l’Auriac is gentle. At the pass, there’s a magnificent view of the Tête de l’Auriac, the Bléone valley and the Mercantour.

A lovely walk to a magnificent, barren peak rising to an altitude of nearly 2,350 metres. The climb remains challenging due to the elevation gain, but the view on arrival is truly extraordinary, with a 360° panorama. The mountain is also known as the ‘cursed mountain’ due to the two plane crashes that occurred on 27 and 30 January 1948 (see information below).

A very beautiful forest walk, situated on the outskirts of Seyne-les-Alpes. Once on the ridge, the Alpine massif offers magnificent views. Montclar Castle is a lovely find.

A challenging hike near Seyne-les-Alpes, which takes you to a magnificent viewpoint over the Blanche Valley and the surrounding Alps: the Pic de Bernardez.

An easy hike starting from the Gros Tapi chairlift terminus. A ridge walk offering constantly stunning and unforgettable panoramic views of the Haut Verdon mountain ranges. An easy route with a final descent to Colmars through the forest on signposted paths. Best undertaken in summer whilst the chairlifts are operating.

On 24 March 2015, 150 people lost their lives on the border between Vernet and Prads when a flight from Barcelona to Düsseldorf crashed. This memorial walk or pilgrimage will take you close to the site of the disaster, where you can pay your respects at the memorial that has been erected at the exact spot where the plane crashed.

What a surprise to come across this cave-like hut nestled in a small valley – it makes you want to see more! And so it continues throughout this walk, taking in mountain passes, mountain pastures and the charming village of La Valette, typical of these low-lying Alpine valleys.

A superb hike with fantastic views over Serre-Ponçon and the Ubaye Valley.

This easy hike will take you to the remarkable church of Tartonne, the unusual Puits Salé (salt well) and its protective dyke, and some of the hamlets of Tartonne. Superb views of the Asse and Clumanc valleys.

A lovely walk through woodland and meadows with magnificent views and, in early July, a carpet of flowers.

To enjoy a lovely view of the Digne basin, this walk to the summit of Le Cousson is highly recommended.

This circular walk in the Val d’Allos, starting from car park no. 1 at the Seignus Haut ski resort and descending to the Verdon before climbing back up to La Valau, can be done in any season on foot or with snowshoes. Alternatively, it can also be started from the Près or Saisonniers car parks in Allos, or from La Valau, on the banks of the Verdon.

The Col Bas is reached without any significant difficulty. It is a gradual climb to a pass offering breathtaking views of Provence, stretching as far as Mont Ventoux on a clear day, the Écrins and the Ubaye. The Massif de la Blanche is a must-see panoramic vista. The route continues through the Vallon du Loup, forming a large and beautiful cirque, where you’ll discover some stunning lakes, some of which may be dry depending on the time of year. An accessible, varied and magnificent hike.

Starting from Clot du Dou, this walk—suitable for all—will take you to the Châtelard Battery. Please note that the site is private; to ensure the owners continue to allow walkers access, please treat the area with the utmost respect.

A magnificent ridge trail with superb views over the Bléone valley and Digne-les-Bains, as well as the Asse valley. Its long limestone cliff stretches from south to north for nearly seventeen kilometres, with the Pic de Couard (1,988 metres) at its northern end.

Set off to explore Lake Saint-Léger along paths that are sometimes unmarked – an opportunity to hike off the beaten track. Don’t miss the Sacrificial Stone and Saint-Léger Chapel. Information boards are situated along part of the route. Only undertake this hike if you are used to walking on unmarked paths and know how to find your way and read a map.

Loop starting from Villars-Colmars, taking part of the Tour du Haut-Verdon. Possible difficulties during the climb: the gradient is a little steep for beginners and there are a few sections on slate rubble.

A short excursion into the mountain pastures above Le Vernet. This walk is best done early in the morning or in the late afternoon during the summer. The scenery is magnificent, featuring forests, rivers and mountain pastures. No particular difficulties. Please note: there is a section off the marked path; a GPS device is useful.

Whilst admiring the splendid Barre des Dourbes, you’ll walk across varied terrain: tracks, paths, meadows, tunnels of greenery… The undulating landscape offers varied scenery and gives your legs a better workout than on flat ground. It’s therefore a half-day family walk, starting just 30 minutes from Digne. If you want to treat yourself or inspire others to climb the Barre, then this walk will have you salivating!