A lovely walk amid the wild lavender and edelweiss in July, arriving between the two Bells of Barles (Cloches de Barles). Highest point of the Pays Dignois area with a 360° view of Les Monges, the Chine Mountain and the Bès Valley. Option to climb up the Little Bell (Petite Cloche) or the Large Bell (Grande Cloche) (1h30 each approximately).
| Department | Alpes-de-Haute-Provence |
|---|---|
| Departure municipality | La Robine-sur-Galabre |
| Outing type | Hike |
| Difficulty | Intermediate |
| Duration | 4:30 |
| Recommended period | from april to november |
| Environment | Mountains |
| Kilometres | 8 km |
| Altitude upon departure | 1122m |
| Change in altitude | 800m |
From La Robine-sur-Galabre, follow the Route de Lambert (towards St Anthony’s Pass) all the way to the Lambert Fountain, then follow the yellow markers.
Depart from Lambert.
At the Lambert-Ainac-Feissal memorial (248 inhabitants were counted in the 1876 census for these 3 villages), follow the tarmacked road to the chapel, go up behind it and the take path on the left with yellow markers. Allow 1 hour to reach St Anthony’s Pass (Col Saint-Antoine).
On the way, you will pass by a pile of rocks formed by the sand on the beaches that were here 20 million years ago. You can see footprints left by birds in it.
Then go back up along the left bank of the Galabre. Fine lavender and cotton grass are frequently found here, and bloody milk caps and red pine mushrooms (Lactarius deliciosus) await you in autumn beneath the pines!
At St Anthony’s Pass, turn right onto a fairly wide, well-defined track, then turn right onto a small path until you reach the Large Bell (Grande Cloche) at the far end (1 hour).
You then come out onto the Chine pasture plateau, where large herds graze. Opposite stand Les Monges and below to the right the Bès Valley and Barles. If you are patient and quiet you will see marmots. The edelweiss here are protected.
Recommended detour:
Right: The Large Bell (Grande Cloche). Walk up the ridge following the path (15 minutes on the ridge and the same for the peak). Behind it, downhill, you can see chamois andibex. From the top you can see Digne.
Left: The Little Bell (Petite Cloche) (20 to 30 minutes). Climb up on the left, passing above the small rocky spur. A pair of golden eagles has made its home in the Géruen cliff. Go down along the same path.
