Trail Trip Provence-Alps

TRAIL stay, 60km in 3 days (2070m D+) on diverse terrain, hilly and mountainous, ridge trails and summits. Stay for Trail fans with sublime panoramas of the Haute Provence Geopark! Longer variants possible.

3 days / 2 nights half-board on marked trails. Come and live a Trail experience in a land of pure emotions in the heart of the Alpes de Haute Provence. Discover a unique geological heritage and remarkable biodiversity by exploring the Haute-Provence Geopark.

Starting from the Tourist Office in Château-Arnoux, the overall route of the TRAIL stay is quite demanding due to its many bumps and climbs but it offers breathtaking views. The terrain is soft which is good for the joints. Longer or shorter variations possible depending on the level. From 1 to 8 people, valid all year round, on the dates of your choice.

Day 1: Tour du Lac + Trail des 2 Tours in Volonne: 24 km – 341m D+
From 3 p.m. check-in in unusual accommodation in an eco-cabin or guest house in Volonne. The service includes the Special Trailer Organic dinner: white meat, starchy foods, cooked vegetables and fruits (excluding drinks), sports breakfast (sweet and savory). The route begins with a 10 km warm-up around the L’Escale lake (large tour of the lake markings), it is an exceptional ornithological reserve 170 species of birds have been recorded there. The route continues in the center of the small medieval village of Volonne by the Trail des 2 Tours, possible at night depending on the arrival time because it has reflective markers (bring a headlamp).

Day 2: Trail of the Balcons of the Durance in L’Escale, 26km – 971m D+
Starting from the Tourist Office in Château-Arnoux, the trail takes the Tour du Lac to the center of the village of L’Escale (3.5km connection). After crossing the village, a steep climb takes you to Collet with its panoramic view of the Durance valley and the Lure mountain. Return to the tourist office in Château-Arnoux with the possibility of taking a shower before the trip by car to Digne-les-Bains. From 4 p.m. accommodation in a 3-star hotel. Full dinner based on local products (one drink and one coffee included), overnight stay in a room and sports breakfast (sweet and savory).

Ideas for additional activities in Digne-les-Bains: access to the aquatic area of ​​the Haute Provence Thermal Spa, entry to the Promenade Museum (Geology-Contemporary Art), interpretation trail of the Chapelle St Pancrace, Trail des 3 chapelles in Digne-les-Bains (7km-300 D+),..

Day 3: Cousson Trail in Digne-les-Bains, 17km – 974m D+
From the hotel, a warm-up of a few kilometers will allow you to reach the start of the trail in the city center. The route has a steep climb in store for you up to the Caramantran path. Then it continues to climb steadily to the top of this e on the mountains around Digne-les-Bains at the Pas d’Entrages. Another little effort and a steep climb to reach the plateau and you will pass near the Saint Michel du Cousson chapel perched on a rocky spur. You now have the summit of Cousson in your sights, take the time to admire the exceptional view of this emblematic summit. The descent will be mainly in the undergrowth, the terrain will be rather technical between stones and roots. Take the vertical kilometer route of Cousson, it is a very steep descent that will take you past the intriguing Saint-Jean chapel and allow you to reach your vehicle parked at the hotel.
End of stay.