Vieil Esclangon and view of the Velodrome

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An easily accessible hike with a sublime panorama on arrival at the geological curiosity of the Vélodrome, as well as the Lame de Facibelle and the Gorges du Bés. A very pleasant route through varied vegetation.

Details

n°14134408
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 4.13 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 10 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 341 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 341 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,145 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 804 m
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Photos

View of the velodrome
A secondary summit near the viewpoint
The Lame de Facibelle and a summit
The Great Bell of Barles

Description of the walk

Departure from the car park on the left of the D900a road, coming from Digne-les-Bains. A sign indicating "Vélodrome" confirms that you are in the right place. Two information panels provide details on the points of interest along this walk.

(S/E) Follow the discovery trail, which is well signposted and marked in yellow throughout. The trail winds its way up through the red earth.

(1) You will come to a clearing, which you cross. There are numerous yellow markings. Then, on your left, you will see the ruins of the old village of Vieil Esclangon.

(2) Turn right and you will arrive at the Vieil Esclangon Art Refuge.

(3) This old refuge has been renovated as part of a restoration programme in partnership with the artist Andy Goldsworthy. You can see one of his works through the window of the refuge.

Continue along the path towards the viewpoint. The trail winds its way up through the forest and then over the rocks to the summit.

(4) Enjoy the breathtaking view of the Vélodrome, the Lame de Facibelle and the gorges along the Bès below. There is also a lovely view of the Crête du Blayeul on the east side.

Take the same route back to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 804 m - Parking near the - Bès (rivière) - Affluent de la Bléone
  2. 1 : km 1.26 - alt. 1,042 m - Clearing
  3. 2 : km 1.56 - alt. 1,053 m - Vieil Esclangon, on the right
  4. 3 : km 1.65 - alt. 1,059 m - Vieil Esclangon Art Refuge
  5. 4 : km 2.07 - alt. 1,145 m - Panorama of the Velodrome
  6. S/E : km 4.13 - alt. 804 m - Car park

Notes

No water on the route. Good walking shoes recommended.
The refuge is open for visits or overnight stays. Keys can be obtained from the Gassendi Museum in Digne. Booking recommended.

Worth a visit

To the north: Clues de Barles 500 m higher up along the road. Fontchaude spring.
To the south: you can go down to the river and have a picnic or swim at the ford. Start of the hike to Lame de Facibelle.

Reviews and comments

5 / 5
Based on 9 reviews
Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.9 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
LES DRAILLES 04
LES DRAILLES 04

On 30 March 2026, I took my group to explore this geological marvel, visiting the old village, its wash house and its cemetery. To avoid going back down the same way, we followed the path down through the pastures and along the track dotted with fords to the new Esclangon, where we had left a car. A lovely day

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User 20870038

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 28, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely hike with beautiful panoramic views.
The path is easy to follow both on the way up and on the way down.
In the height of summer, I imagine this route must be quite busy, as we regularly encountered other hikers at the end of September.

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sylvie couriol
sylvie couriol

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 03, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Superb hike, the information boards are very interesting and help you understand the landscape. Magnificent views.
Easy to follow, no difficulty

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degavroche
degavroche

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 22, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Quick hike. We went to see the Velodrome on the same day we filmed inside it around the Facibelle blade. The time sign at the bottom of the path is very generous. It took us barely 2.5 hours there and back, including stops. The view of the Velodrome is splendid.

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fooshette
fooshette
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 10, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Please note: the departmental road is the D900a, not the 990a shown on road signs. The start of the route to see the velodrome is several kilometres after the Esclangon sorting office, before the Barles tunnels.
This walk is best done outside of periods of intense heat, as there is little shade along the route.
Magnificent views.

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philmaig
philmaig
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 22, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely short hike in an exceptional geological setting (at the start of the route, the geological explanation is key to understanding the magnificent landscapes).

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enidan
enidan

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 15, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Varied routes with superb views.

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Thabor
Thabor
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 26, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

This hike poses no particular problems, even for a 7-year-old child who is familiar with hiking. The viewpoint is very well located. You can see the Pérouré and Barles gorges, La Bigue, the Blayeul ridge and the large Barles bell up close.
You can also see a white cross marking the location of an active hermitage!
In short, this is a hike not to be missed when staying in Digne or the surrounding area.

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mmonte
mmonte

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 26, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Beautiful view of the "velodrome" and the Blayeul ridge. It is certainly possible to descend towards Esclangon to extend the walk a little (which only lasts 2 hours), but this would mean walking a little further on the way back.

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matberu13
matberu13

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 15, 2023
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent family hike. Unusual landscape!!!

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