Beech forests, gorges and sweeping views across the mountain ranges give hikes around Saint-Auban-d'Oze a variety of character. There are also trails that pass historic buildings. If you are planning a stay, you can use the described routes and their respective landscapes as a guide—from a stage through the Val d'Oze to longer hikes to Lac de Peyssier or Villauret.
Forest, summit and gorge
A P1 stage leads over Montagne d'Oule, through beech forest and through the Val d'Oze. Those who climb to the summit of Montagne d'Oule are rewarded with a 360-degree panorama of the surrounding mountain ranges. The forest passage and the views are among the defining landscapes of this stage; the view from the summit is a fitting reference point if you are looking for a hike that offers particularly expansive views from above.
Another P1 stage, P1 02, runs from Saint-Auban-d'Oze (Villauret) to Peyssier (Les Oustaus). It passes through the Gouravour gorge to Clausonne Abbey. The route to Lac de Peyssier offers a different landscape: it runs through the Vallon du Villauret and reaches the lake below the cliffs of Montagne d'Aujour. The steep rock faces and the distinctive rocky outcrop of Roc de Saint-Martin provide another striking backdrop; the rock rises above a mixed forest of pines and deciduous trees.
Comparing two longer hikes
For a specific estimate of the time required, two of the described routes can be compared. The hike from Veynes to Villauret is classified as difficult, is 12 kilometres long and is listed as taking an average of six hours and 30 minutes. It crosses Saint-Auban-d'Oze between Col d'Oule and Col de Villauret. At the end, it descends to Villauret below Roc de Saint-Martin, which is listed as 1,018 metres high.
The hike from Saint-Auban-d'Oze to Lac de Peyssier is also classified as difficult. At 15.03 kilometres and an average duration of seven hours and 15 minutes, it is longer than the route to Villauret. It starts at the village fountain; from there, it follows the Route Forestière du Col de Villauret, marked as GR®94. These figures help you compare the time required for the two hikes while keeping their different destinations in mind. Check the trail conditions before setting off on the route to Lac de Peyssier.
What to see along the trails
The Veynes–Villauret route passes the washhouse and a small 19th-century church in the village. The church was built on the ruins of an older chapel. These are brief historical stops along a route that continues to Villauret and below Roc de Saint-Martin. The description of stage P2 to Villauret also passes Clausonne Abbey. The abbey was built in the 12th century by Chalaisian monks. So, alongside the scenic destinations, anyone interested in architectural history will find tangible historical points of interest.
Where to stay in Saint-Auban-d'Oze
Check current availability and operating information before booking.
When choosing a hike, you can weigh the described distances, the stated average durations and the respective destinations: Villauret with Roc de Saint-Martin, Lac de Peyssier, or the trails to Clausonne Abbey. This keeps your decision grounded in the landscapes and stages described.
Discover more destinations: Château-Ville-Vieille, Savournon, Neffes, Villar-D'arêne, Sigoyer, Barret-sur-Méouge, La Saulce, Saint-Bonnet-En-Champsaur.
View the broader travel overview: Hautes-Alpes.
