Mountain biking spot: 5 routes not to be missed in Val-de-Durance and around Digne-les-Bains

In the heart of the Haute Provence Geopark, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the city of Digne-les-Bains invites you for a change of scenery, the historic capital of lavender. It is along the water that the Haute Provence will unfold, from the thermal baths of Digne-les-Bains to Lake Verdon through the Durance Valley. This rural region with a mild climate and pleasant aromas is characteristic of the Haute Provence. Between the sea and the mountains, 1 hour from the ski resorts of the Southern Alps and the Mediterranean Sea, this area is a rich source of landscape change and undoubtedly an exceptional mountain biking destination. Many mountain bike packages are sold by the tourist office, 2 to 5 days, full board with luggage delivery.

Feel free to check out our year round offers: https://www.dignelesbains-tourisme.com/organiser/nos-idees-de-sejours/

Helpful Sources:

• Wikipedia
• Lonely planet
• Traveler
• Via Michelin

MTB routes not to be missed

Val-de-Durance - Les Pas-de-Buff - Route 4 - Black - 29 km - 3 h - 800 m drop - very difficult

Pas de bœuf is the flagship of the Val-de-Durance base for mountain bikes. An anthology of thrills, magnificent trails through wild and arid valleys. Then the freshness of the undergrowth, the intoxicating smell of the broom, the spectacular passage over the ridges, the robins, the fords to be crossed, the path that cuts through the heather...

Departure from the Tourist Office for Chateau Arnoux. Note the passage near the old village of Chateauneuf and the drinking water point in front of the Obignos bakery 2/3 of the way. The return through the national forest ends by crossing the village of Château-Arnoux and passing in front of the Renaissance castle. Return to the starting point along the bridle path. An absolute pleasure! But be careful, this is a black chain, sometimes very technical (at least 3 ports) that requires good physical capabilities.

Val-de-Durance - Le Grand Côte - Route No. 13 - Black - 23 km - 2h 30m - 850m - difficult

The big coast is a difficult track. Leaving the Tourist Office at Château Arnoux, then heading towards 3 bridges, we will start on a rolling but tricky road… Be careful, the real start is a bit farther! Of course, with very beautiful panoramas and a very beautiful mountain trail, this trail develops entirely in the heather forest. It's pure wilderness without going far from the car. It has a good drop for a short length. But above all, he never leaves time to breathe. This loop ends with the passage of the "toboggan" part of the equipped enduro.

Val de Durance - Around Turdo - Route No. 16 - Black - 23 km - 3 hours - 980 m elevation - difficult

Coming out of the ruins of Peyruy Castle, after a warm-up, a long path will take you to Chapelle d'Augès. A majestic descent will then lead you to the Jas de Sigalette. You then climb the heather-strewn slope to your starting point. A beautiful track, mostly single tracks. It has a large number of technical transitions and requires good physical condition. Purists and thrill-seekers will surely love it.

Digne les Bains - Les Terres Noires - route no. 16 - 26 km - 3 h 30 m - 850 m elevation - very difficult

Be sure to visit the Terres Noires trails: two long ascents lead to technical descents (routes over ridges, steps, etc.).

Be sure to visit Pays Dignois to discover the unspoiled villages of Draix and Archail, located at the foot of the Cucuyon and Pic de Couard mountains. Every year, the Raid or Enduro des Terres Noires draws attention to these tracks during renowned technical competitions. Several exits are possible: Place du Village de Draix, Place du Village de Marcoux.

Digne les Bains - Sources of Rouveiret - route no. 7 - 25 km - 3 hours - 700 m above sea level + - very difficult

This route follows a small road in the Rouveira Valley, then a fascinating trail before going up to the village of Champtersier. Continue to Col de Peipin (Chemins du Soleil junction), walk down the beautiful descent to the village of Courbon, then make a slight ascent before descending into Digne-les-Bains. Option: Possibility to leave Champtersier (total track length: 25 km).

To see or do absolutely in the area

3 Features not to be missed

Geopark Haute Provence

The Geopark offers you a journey through 300 million years of Earth's history. It lists many fossils, such as the Dalle aux Ammonites, which contains 1.500 ammonite, nautilus or pentacrine fossils over 320 m² at the exit from Digne-les-Bains (towards Barles), a unique place in the world!

Penitents of Mees

These narrow 100 m high cliffs overlook the Durance Valley for almost 2,5 km as a result of erosion. This true geological curiosity is the subject of a legend in which the penitents represent monks petrified (literally) by the Great Saint Donat, the hermit of Mount Lure.

Bird sanctuary of Haute Provence

The Escale Reservoir, created in the 1960s after the construction of the hydroelectric bridge, located on Durance, is an artificial lake with an area of ​​200 hectares. This reservoir now hosts a biodiversity almost equivalent to that recorded in the Camargue, thanks to this vast wetland (140 bird species).

To taste in the surroundings:

Local delicacies:

• Anchovy land mine, which can be found in all bakeries,
• pesto soup in summer in all regional restaurants,
• bohémienne, which is a ratatouille without pepper and with potatoes in all homes (2 eggplants, 2 onions, 6 cloves of garlic, 12 very ripe fresh tomatoes and a little tomato paste, 8 olives, 3 branches of thyme or 1 tablespoon of Provence Herbs, 4 tablespoons tablespoons of olive oil ...

Labeled products of the department:

AOC:

• Haute-Provence olive oil,
• Goat cheese banon,
• wine from the slopes of Pierrevers.

PGI:

• lamb Sisteron
• small letter from Haute Provence,
• lavender honey,
• Provencal herbs,
• apples from Haute Durance.

Here are some local and original recipes.

Accomodation

Photo: FROM Val de Durance