L'Épine lies in the heart of the Baronnies provençales Regional Natural Park and combines a hilltop village with hiking destinations ranging from forest trails to named peaks. When choosing a hike, the view is not the only thing that matters: the trails described also differ in character, elevation and the landscapes they pass through.
Hiking: peaks, forest and geology
Several hiking trails from L'Épine lead to Duffre, the highest peak in the Baronnies provençales. The L'Épine–Le Duffre route first follows the ridges of the Sarcéna and Aup mountains before reaching the summit. Hiking route Le Duffre (No. 3) leads to the bare summit at 1,757 m. Thus, both the route over the two named ridges and the summit itself are part of the hiking options around Duffre.
Bonnet Rouge offers a different point of comparison: the route leads to the summit at 1,645 m; from a viewpoint, the vista takes in the Blème Valley and the highest peaks of the Buëch. Duffre’s profile includes the bare summit at 1,757 m and the Sarcéna and Aup ridges, while Bonnet Rouge offers views of the valley and peaks. This makes it possible to distinguish between the two summit destinations by their elevations and the landscapes described for each.
Not every hike is focused on a high peak. The Boucle de Grand Bois is a very easy, shaded hike: it follows paths along the edges of lavender fields and through pine and downy oak forests. The Tour du Vallon de Rioupape is an easy hike along a discovery trail exploring L'Épine. Along the way, it passes blue marl and a petrifying river with tufa formations. Alongside the summit hikes, these offer two easier options with a different character: Grand Bois, with its forest and field edges, and Rioupape, with a discovery trail and the geological features mentioned.
History and art in the village
L'Épine has a long history: the hilltop village was already inhabited from 6000 BC. At its height, it was dominated by a castle with a keep, known as a castrum, and had fortifications. The village’s history therefore encompasses both early settlement and a fortified period of prominence.
Les Peintres à L'Épine is an annual painting and sculpture event held at the end of July. As part of the festival, the Chapelle Saint Sébastien hosts a week-long exhibition in summer; afterwards, on Sunday, artworks are displayed in the village streets. If you plan to travel specifically for this event, check the dates for the year in question.
Another date on the annual calendar
The Foire aux Courges is held every year on the Saturday closest to 17 September. The exact Saturday therefore varies from year to year. In 1996, the fair revived a local fair tradition dating back four centuries. Together with the event at the end of July, this creates a clear difference in the reason for a trip: painting and sculpture take centre stage in July, while September is all about the pumpkin fair. Check the dates for the relevant year if you are planning your trip around either event.
Discover more destinations: Baratier, Ancelle, Le Glaizil, L'argentière-La-Bessée, Serres, Eyguians, Savournon, Sigoyer.
For the wider travel overview: Hautes-Alpes.
