Key facts

Distance: 8.6 km
Ascent: +548 m
Descent: −486 m
Estimated time: 3 hr 05; hiking
Difficulty: Moderate; official rating
Route: Loop; back to the start

Profile and gradient

under 10%
10 to 20%
over 20%

Description

The Courchon path is one of the most grandiose, the most daring and the best preserved vestiges of a medieval road. Since 1981, Moustiers-Sainte-Marie is ranked one of the most beautiful villages in France. The pretty Courchon path makes it possible to make the tour of Moustiers by the ravine of Notre-Dame where is suspended the Etoile de Moustiers and to take the Roman way. All while enjoying beautiful views, including Lake St. Croix, le plateau de Valensole but also Mont Ventoux and Sainte-Baume. 1 - Start the hike by climbing to the Church of Notre-Dame-de-Beauvoir. Climb by the cobbled staircase and lined with small oratories. 2 - Once at the Notre-Dame chapel, go down a few meters to take the path on the right (yellow markings) indicated chemin de la chaine. Climb the steep path until you reach a first cairn, follow the indication ravin de Notre-Dame. At the next intersection, 100m further follow baisse de Courchon. 3 - Once to the baisse of Courchon, (post with arrow 28) turn right on the Roman road, pass a small pass and then down on Moustiers by the Roman road.

Difficulty

Official rating: moderate, by Parcs naturels régionaux de Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur.

Before you go

Avoid the hot summer, take 2 liters of water and hiking shoes (avoid rain slippery slabs).

Getting there

Start: Parking du stade, Moustiers, Moustiers-Sainte-Marie (04).

Sources

Track: Parcs naturels régionaux de Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (Chemins des Parcs), Licence Ouverte 2.0, Licence Ouverte 2.0 (Etalab) (www.cheminsdesparcs.fr/trek/63851-MOUSTIERS-SAINTE-MARIE---Le-sentier-de-Courchon). Time estimated by GPX Path with the Mac app rule, breaks not included.
Official elevation gain: 548 m, Parcs naturels régionaux de Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur

The Courchon path