Tour des Monges

Lake, waterfall and river

Off the beaten track

Pastoralism

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This tour takes you on a journey to explore one of France’s least-visited mountain ranges. From alpine pastures to secluded valleys, these five days in the heart of the Monges will satisfy your thirst for adventure and discovery.

The landscapes of the Monges preserve the legacy of climatic phenomena from the last major ice ages. During the last glacial period (known as the Würm, lasting from 78,000 to 13,000 years ago), a glacier covered the northern slopes of the Monges peak.

Thanks to the geological diversity of the soils, pastoral activity (transhumance since the Middle Ages), and the dual climatic influence—Alpine and Mediterranean—the Monges are home to a rich variety of plant and animal life. Certain biotopes are classified at the European level for their faunal and floral significance (ZNIEFF, Natura 2000) .

The Monges massif combines the characteristics of two climates (Mediterranean in the southwest and Alpine in the northeast): the mild temperatures of the Mediterranean, hot and very sunny summers, light and pure air, and the coolness of the mountains. Rainfall can be as intense as in the Mediterranean climate (sudden thunderstorms), and winter reminds us that we are in the mountains with the presence of snow.

6 steps

Description

Starting in Sisteron, this route follows the GR6 / GR 653 D trail to St-Geniez. From there, the trail winds through the heart of this mountain range with its varied terrain, featuring long, bare, rocky ridges that offer panoramic views of the valleys and run alongside miles of forest.
After climbing the small peak of Trainon, the route passes through Authon before following the ridges to reach the highest point of the Sisteronais-Buëch, the summit of theMonges, at an altitude of 2,115 meters. Just below, Lac des Monges is a must-see stop on the circuit, with its mountain hut situated near the water.
After Esparron-la-Bâtie, the route follows the D1, where it is possible to hitchhike or arrange a vehicle transfer to Clamensane.
In the Sasse Valley, the route passes through the villages of Nibles and Châteaufort before returning to Saint-Geniez and then to the starting point.

Departure : Tourist Information Office, Sisteron
Arrival : Tourist Information Office, Sisteron
Towns crossed : Sisteron, Entrepierres, Saint-Geniez, Authon, Valavoire, Bayons, Clamensane, Motte-du-Caire, Nibles, Vaumeilh, Châteaufort, and Valernes

Forecast

Altimetric profile

Recommandations

WARNING: On this route, you may encounter livestock guard dogs tasked with protecting herds from wolf attacks.
To minimize the risk of conflict, bringing pets is strongly discouraged, even if they are on a leash.

Cyclists, please be especially vigilant: upon seeing a herd, you must get off your bike, stop, and allow the dogs to identify you. Then, give the herd a wide berth, keeping your bike between you and the guard dog.

In any case, remain calm, avoid sudden movements, and do not attempt to cross through the herd.

→ To learn more about how to behave around guard dogs: https://rando.sisteron-alpesprovencales.fr/information/14-Les-patous-et-nous-!

To avoid walking along the road section (D1), you can arrange for a ride (contact the Sisteron les Alpes Provençales Tourist Office for information) or hitchhike (www.rezopouce.fr) from Pont de Reynier to Clamensane or Nibles.
These stages are provided for informational purposes only. You may modify them as you see fit. Several options are available for spending the night in a cabin or a few kilometers from the proposed route (Refuge du Seignas, Lac des Monges Cabin, Gîte Retrouvance® du Lac des Monges, Gîte de la Maison d'Alix in Reynier).
At the end of the 5th stage, you can arrange a vehicle transfer back to Sisteron or start over at Stage 1 by adding an extra day of hiking.

In winter, the loop trail may remain accessible with the proper equipment. We recommend that you take snow conditions and weather conditions into account.

Information desks

1 place de la République, 04200 Sisteron

https://www.sisteron-alpesprovencales.fr/sisteron@sisteron-buech.fr 04 92 61 36 50

Transport

Let’s limit car travel and consider public transportation and carpooling: https://zou.maregionsud.fr

Access and parking

From Gap (50 km), follow Route 85, then take the A12 from La Saulce to Sisteron.

Parking :

Parking lot to the right of the Baume Bridge, along the departmental road, Sisteron

3 points of interest

La Durance - CCSB
Lake and river
The Durance River
More than a mere river, the Durance is a force of nature. From its source in Mongenèvre at an altitude of 2300 metres it rolls its way over 302 kilometres until it finally flows into the Rhône. Over time, there has been greater control by man over the river, particularly with the construction of the Serre-Ponçon dam, and it is an essential artery for the Hautes-Alpes.
Source : www.hautes-alpes.net
Lake and river
La Bastié source
This route goes up onto the wild ridges between the Monges summit and Jouère summit. The rise through the forest allows you to reach the Sapie pass where the landscape opens onto mountain pastures and offers a great panoramic view on the surrounding mountains and further, the Durance valley.
La Motte du Caire - Office de Tourisme La Motte du Caire
Flora
La Motte du Caire sequoias
In the heart of the UNESCO Geoparc of Haute-Provence, some sites mention reforestation and erosion: Brusquet forest parc, Demontzey parc (located at Labouret pass) and Draix experimental basins.

Source : https://www.geoparchauteprovence.com/