Les Chemins du Soleil is a permanent route of more than 1000 km from the Alps to the Mediterranean. Part of this long route linking Grenoble to Nice crosses the Alpes de Haute-Provence for 270 km, including 96 km in the Provence Alpes mountain bike area.
Route details
Description
Aubignosc – Col des Pénitents stage (23 km – 550 m D+ / 310 m D-): On the single-track trails of the Durance Valley, this section combines different atmospheres between grey lands, forests and undergrowth, then the banks of the Durance with its reed beds and typical villages. The most daring can try to reach the viewpoint at the top of the Pourachère, next to the Col des Pénitents.
Stage Col des Pénitents – Le Chaffaut (12 km – 170 m D+ / 390 m D-): No difficulty on this very rolling section. From Mirabeau the route joins the Bléone valley by a pleasant descent through the pastures. You cross the picturesque villages of Mirabeau, Mallemoisson and Le Chaffaut and enter the Dignois country.
Stage Le Chaffaut – Digne les Bains (11 km – 110m D+ / 50 m D-): The Bléone Valley will lead you gently to the town of Digne les Bains, known for its thermal water. Don't hesitate to linger or make a detour to one of the geological sites of the Haute-Provence Geopark.
Digne les Bains – Les Dourbes stage (24 km – 970m D+ / 500 m D-): After crossing Digne les Bains, you follow the tracks of the “Les Terres Noires” mountain bike raid. The first climb on the Adrech de Richelme is a good start. From the Pas d'Entrages, a beautiful technical descent awaits you. The rest takes place on a balcony to the Dourbes.
Les Dourbes – Draix stage (12 km – 380m D+ / 550 m D-): A little peace and quiet before moving into the high valleys of the Asse! You will discover the Défens beech forest (protected area) and the Haute Bléone national forest. You will reach Draix via a beautiful descent, without forgetting a magnificent passage in the black lands, before arriving at the small village of Archail.
Stage Stage Draix – Tartonne (15 km – 650m D+ / 550 m D-): You are in the heart of the Chemins du Soleil with the black lands and the mountains on the program to reach the Col de la Cine (1505 m). This effort is rewarded by the descent on a fairly technical path, you will pass through the Clue de la Peine, an arch cut into the cliff in 1804, before cooling off at the Tartonne fountain.
Stage Col des Pénitents – Le Chaffaut (12 km – 170 m D+ / 390 m D-): No difficulty on this very rolling section. From Mirabeau the route joins the Bléone valley by a pleasant descent through the pastures. You cross the picturesque villages of Mirabeau, Mallemoisson and Le Chaffaut and enter the Dignois country.
Stage Le Chaffaut – Digne les Bains (11 km – 110m D+ / 50 m D-): The Bléone Valley will lead you gently to the town of Digne les Bains, known for its thermal water. Don't hesitate to linger or make a detour to one of the geological sites of the Haute-Provence Geopark.
Digne les Bains – Les Dourbes stage (24 km – 970m D+ / 500 m D-): After crossing Digne les Bains, you follow the tracks of the “Les Terres Noires” mountain bike raid. The first climb on the Adrech de Richelme is a good start. From the Pas d'Entrages, a beautiful technical descent awaits you. The rest takes place on a balcony to the Dourbes.
Les Dourbes – Draix stage (12 km – 380m D+ / 550 m D-): A little peace and quiet before moving into the high valleys of the Asse! You will discover the Défens beech forest (protected area) and the Haute Bléone national forest. You will reach Draix via a beautiful descent, without forgetting a magnificent passage in the black lands, before arriving at the small village of Archail.
Stage Stage Draix – Tartonne (15 km – 650m D+ / 550 m D-): You are in the heart of the Chemins du Soleil with the black lands and the mountains on the program to reach the Col de la Cine (1505 m). This effort is rewarded by the descent on a fairly technical path, you will pass through the Clue de la Peine, an arch cut into the cliff in 1804, before cooling off at the Tartonne fountain.