From Rochebrune to Montgardin

1. From Rochebrune to Montgardin

Geology
History and architecture
Pastoralism
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Both a pilgrimage site and geological curiosity, this route takes in some very pleasant farmland and woodland at the foot of Mont Colombis (1734m).
A varied route that follows the Durance, Avance and Luye rivers. Alternating between orchards, undergrowth paths and forest tracks, this route is a chance to discover the Val d'avance as you've never seen it before!

3 points of interest

  • Water

    3 lacs leisure centre

    A series of small lakes bordering the Durance: dogs not allowed, swimming not allowed for pets, camping and caravanning not allowed.
  • Flora

    Moyenne Durance State Forest

    Between the Durance, Avance and Luye rivers and the Lac de Serre-Ponçon, this forest encompasses hills and demoiselles coiffées. The site is home to a host of different plant species, birds and butterflies.
  • History

    The chapel of Les Fours

    Fours (kilns) refer to holes in which gypsum was cooked to make plaster.
    .At the end of a path of the cross, the chapel was built on the site of the appearance of the Virgin Mary to the shepherdess Benoîte Rencurel in 1664.

Description

  1. Cross the Pont de Rochebrune and take the 1st road on the left, then the 1st track on the left to skirt the Durance and cross the orchards before reaching the village of Remollon.
    Cross the 900b (Route des 3 Alpes) and ascend the Rue de l'Eglise (PR) towards the cemetery.
    From the cistern, a stony path along the Hermitage stream joins the forest track and the Tour de l'Avance à Cheval (signposted equestrian route) at the Bas Col.
  2. From there, you reach Saint-Etienne-Le-Laus.
    After a hairpin bend (Les Martinets, La Gypière, not signposted), take the track straight down to Basse Fontaine, offering a fine view of Avançon. At Basse Fontaine, turn right onto the road as far as the torrent de la Combe.
  3. Take the track to the left, through the black marls. Descend to La Plaine. From here, continue right between the sheds on a rolling path as far as the Bridon ford. Then continue straight ahead on the level road to the foot of the Côte de la Draye.
  4. Continue on the rolling GR 653D (Santiago de Compostela) track towards Les Vernes and Montgardin. From Les Vernes onwards, the road is tarmacked.
  5. Cross the N94 (with local speed limits of 70km/h), turn left towards the school and continue up the road. Take the first track on the right.
  6. At the junction of the tracks, turn right and, at La Naute, continue straight ahead on the grassy track that joins the road. Descend and turn right to reach the Montgardin equestrian centre.
  • Departure : The "3 lacs" leisure centre, Rochebrune
  • Arrival : Ecuries du Rucher, Montgardin
  • Towns crossed : Montgardin and La Bâtie-Neuve

Altimetric profile

Recommandations

Equip yourself with an IGN Top 25 map and the digital route;
Well-trained horses (gradients, variable terrain, duration, changing climate);
Inquire before taking a shortcut;
Doable from mid-May to mid-October.
Herd protection dogs

In mountain pastures, protection dogs are there to protect the herds from predators (wolves, etc.).

When I hike I adapt my behavior by going around the herd and pausing for the dog to identify me.

Find out more about the actions to adopt with the article "Protection dogs: a context and actions to adopt".
Tell us about your meeting by answering this survey.

Information desks

Tourist office Chorges

Grand rue, 05230 Chorges

https://www.serreponcon.comchorges@serreponcon-tourisme.com0492506425

October to may : Monday to Saturday, 9.00 - 12.30 & 13.30 - 17.00.
April, may, june & september : Monday to Saturday, 9.00 - 12.30 & 14.30 - 18.00
July and August : Monday to Saturday, 9:00 – 12.30 & 14.30 – 19.00 Sunday 9.30 – 12.30

Closed on Thursdays outside French holidays’ periods
Closed on French national holidays, except 14th of July and 15th of August

Find out more

Transport

From Gap - Zou Network! :
Line 535 - Frequency 3 times a day

More info: https://zou.maregionsud.fr

Access and parking

Take the N85 towards Marseille, then quickly take the D900b. Turn right onto the D4, then left onto the D704 and left again onto the D56. Continue, then turn left until you reach the leisure centre.

Parking :

Car park at the "Les 3 Lacs" leisure centre, Rochebrune

Source

CDTE des Hautes-Alpeshttps://cdte05.ffe.com

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