From Volonne at the place called "3 Bastides" (2km NE of the village). The Saint Joseph chapel, associated with its hermitage and its spring, has always served as a shelter for shepherds and pilgrims, as well as for resistance fighters during the Second World War.
Route details
Description
No Parking, park on the side of the road before the ravine of La Grave. From the Cross which overlooks the chapel, you will have a nice view of the valleys of the Durance and the Duyes. The path begins at the bridge of La Grave, at the level of the three bastides.
From there, go back up a wide track, at the bottom of a ravine, to a cistern where you leave the PR of the Tour de la Magdeleine on your right. After 1,5 km of gentle ascent, enter the oak and pine wood on your left, to come out at a small ridge near the ruin of Forchochier. The path branches off to the right and almost immediately leaves the large logging track. The fairly steep climb, with switchbacks, continues along the hillside on the north-facing side, in the middle of a beech forest which is very pleasant for its coolness in summer.
Arriving at the crest, the St Joseph chapel is on your left at 1.8km. The return is via the path on the right, first follow the ridge for 1.5km before diving on your right into a forest that is much drier than the previous one, a sign that you have returned to the right. Quite quickly you reach the bottom of the ravine which brings you back to the starting point.
From there, go back up a wide track, at the bottom of a ravine, to a cistern where you leave the PR of the Tour de la Magdeleine on your right. After 1,5 km of gentle ascent, enter the oak and pine wood on your left, to come out at a small ridge near the ruin of Forchochier. The path branches off to the right and almost immediately leaves the large logging track. The fairly steep climb, with switchbacks, continues along the hillside on the north-facing side, in the middle of a beech forest which is very pleasant for its coolness in summer.
Arriving at the crest, the St Joseph chapel is on your left at 1.8km. The return is via the path on the right, first follow the ridge for 1.5km before diving on your right into a forest that is much drier than the previous one, a sign that you have returned to the right. Quite quickly you reach the bottom of the ravine which brings you back to the starting point.
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