Bastions of Protestantism

Discovery trail

History and architecture

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Perfect for spending a weekend immersing yourself in local Protestant history and enjoying breathtaking views.

“This short two-day hike passes through two villages with deep historical ties to the Protestant movement. Exploring these villages and their history offers insight into the significance of Protestants in the region. As for the scenery, the route along the ridges offers magnificent panoramic views of the surrounding mountains, such as the Monges Massif and the Dévoluy.” Léo Michelet, intern at the Baronnies Provençales Regional Nature Park.

1 step

Centre d'Orpierre - CCSB
Trek
Orpierre
Step 1 : Orpierre - Trescléoux
History and architecture
Medium
4h30
11km
+968m

Description

The first stage follows the Route des Princes d’Orange, then the Grande Rue. The trail continues toward Le Suillet via a fairly steep, sun-exposed climb of over 1 km. The rest of the route follows the ridge between Le Suillet and the Col de Garde. Once you reach the “Les Quatre Chemins” crossroads, you can climb to the summit of the Rocher de Garde for a breathtaking view of the surrounding mountains and valleys. To reach the Mont-Garde trail lodge, follow the marl ridge and cross a pasture.
The second day is more challenging than the first. The start is flat until the village of Trescléoux, but the climb up to the Col de Garde via the west face is quite steep, especially since you must climb further to reach Le Suillet. From there, it’s all downhill along a trail that crosses the Paradis neighborhood. Looking at the surrounding rocks, you can watch climbers in action. The stage ends by crossing the winding trail before the village of Orpierre.

Departure : Church's parking lot, Orpierre
Arrival : Church's parking lot, Orpierre
Towns crossed : Orpierre, Trescléoux, and Garde-Colombe

Forecast

Altimetric profile

Recommandations

Respect the tranquility of the area where you are walking; avoid shouting and do not use musical instruments or loud devices (radios, etc.), out of consideration for other visitors and to preserve the peace of the wildlife, especially during breeding and hibernation seasons when animals are much more vulnerable.
Avoid picking wild plants: some of them are protected.
Part of the route is heavily exposed to the sun; bring the necessary supplies (water, hat, sunscreen, etc.) for hot summer days. It is best to set out early in the morning to avoid the hottest part of the day.

WARNING: On this route, you may encounter guard dogs tasked with defending herds against 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, go around the herd well, keeping your bike between you and the guard dog.
In any case, stay calm, avoid sudden movements, and do not attempt to cross through the herd.
→ To learn more about how to behave around livestock guard dogs: https://rando.sisteron-alpesprovencales.fr/information/14-Les-patous-et-nous-!

FIRE HAZARD. Fire is the enemy of the forest… and of hikers! Do not smoke in the forest or light fires—especially since it is prohibited regardless of the season! And during the summer, before setting out on a hike, check the conditions and regulations regarding access to forested areas.

Information desks

Place du village, 05700 Orpierre

https://www.sisteron-alpesprovencales.fr/orpierre@sisteron-buech.fr 04 92 66 30 45

Transport

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

Access and parking

13 km from Laragne-Montéglin, via the D1075 and D30.

Parking :

Church's parking lot, Orpierre

1 point of interest

Lake and river
La Blaisance
La Blaisance takes its source upstream from the town of Montjay, it is a confluence of several torrents. It flows to the town of Garde-Colombe, passing through Trescléoux. It then flows into the Buëch.