Around a hundred climbing routes, a fossil-rich reference outcrop from the Upper Jurassic and a range of tour options give Chabrières several distinct reasons to visit. For planning, it helps to choose a focus early: should your stay revolve around climbing, the geology of the Clue de Chabrières, or a cycling or hiking tour? The details range from different rock formations to the approach and difficulty of a cycling loop.

Climbing and approach

The Chabrières climbing area comprises about ten sectors and around a hundred routes. Many slabs consist of solid, compact limestone; there are also more sculpted walls. This contrast provides a practical guide when choosing a climbing focus: the size of the area matters, as does the type of rock formation that interests you. To reach the climbing area, cross the stream via a footbridge and then follow a winding path for about ten minutes. Check access conditions before climbing.

Geology and nature

Massive limestones from the Kimmeridgian and Portlandian stages have created large vertical rock walls and remarkable steep slopes in the Clue de Chabrières – Partie Sud. Chabrières is a long-known, exceptionally fossil-rich reference outcrop from the Upper Jurassic. The Kimmeridgian and Portlandian stages place the rock in a specific period within the Upper Jurassic; the term reference outcrop identifies Chabrières as a geological point of reference. Rock formations, geological stages and reference status describe different aspects of the geology.

The ZNIEFF “Clue de Chabrières – Partie Sud” is a type 1 natural area located within the municipalities of Beynes and Entrages. The golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) was recorded as a breeding or probably breeding species in this Clue; the classification is based on observations from 2021. Within the Natura 2000 site L’Asse, only the riverbed and its associated riparian woodland lie below the Clue de Chabrières.

Cycling and hiking tours

The cycling loop “Cyclo n°6 – Le col du Corobin” passes through the Clue de Chabrières after the section through Mézel and is rated difficult. This difficulty rating applies to the loop and provides a practical guide when choosing a route. A hike in the area around Chabrières leads to the hamlet of Creisset. To reach the hike, take the N85 towards Barrême; two kilometres after the village of Chabrières, turn right onto the track.

For orientation, be sure to distinguish between the two paths: the winding path is part of the approach to the climbing area, while the details about the N85 and the turn-off relate to the hike to Creisset. Different considerations therefore matter when choosing your focus: for climbing, the wall formations and the foot approach; for the cycling loop, its difficulty rating; and for Creisset, route directions. This makes it possible to plan around your chosen activity.

Discover more destinations: Mane, Revest-des-Brousses, Saint-Vincent-sur-Jabron, Entrevaux, La Brillanne, Uvernet-Fours, Bellaffaire, Saint-Martin-De-Brômes

For the regional travel overview: Alpes-De-Haute-Provence.