The trail of Grès d’Annot

Blocks that defy the laws of balance and whose noise seems to be barely stopped, from vertiginous points of view, from rocks to forms sculpted by a facetious erosion, the Annot’s sandstone trail opens the doors of an amazing world. It offers you, in all seasons, a magical spectacle.

Technical sheet

3-hour loop
Possible alternative: a 2-hour round trip to the ‘Chambre du Roi’ in the cliff, which avoids the passage, wide but dizzying.

from 7 years old

Elevation: 350 m

All year round

Outside the snow period

Free access

A chaos of blocks

From the beginning, the trail slaloms between rocks and chestnut trees. Then the blocks get higher, lean against each other, form rifts. In the vicinity of the ‘Chambre du Roi’, the assemblies are haphazard, one wonders how they are maintained, impressive!

Randonnée des Grès d'Annot, Alpes de Haute Provence

Live the legend…

With every step you take, you have the vague impression that an elf or a goblin is about to appear before you. You notice strange shapes on the rocks, the forest seems inhabited.

And then you enter the legend. That of a king and a traitor whose ghost wanders the nights of the full moon… There is a mysterious room hidden here, will you find it? The passageways are so narrow that your children can play through the walls. And in front of this staircase that seems to lead nowhere, you will be tempted to say ‘Open Sesame,’ you never know!

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Did you know?

After the ‘Chambre du Roi’ in the rock, a monumental profile emerges, you see? The locals call him Lou Gardian.

Erosion, a facetious artist

In this tangle of shapes, sculptures are drawn: a face, a giant spoon, a gargoyle elsewhere. Yet, no artist residencies on the horizon. It’s just the work of the wind and the rain for thousands of years. You move a few metres, a breath of wind! everything disappears. The rock appears to have been sculpted according to your imagination.

Testimonies

The geological heritage

’Beautiful hike to do from Annot, in the middle of these giant rocks. We start with the path to the ‘Chambre du Roi’ (take the option through the king’s gardens to discover a superb parade of rocks), and you continue on the side of cliffs towards the belvedere that overlooks the valleys (In front of the small village of Braux.) Then we go down to the village through the forest. Stroll without great difficulty (350 m difference in height). You just have to be well shod, especially after a fall rain! Allow 3 hours for a quiet walk.’

Magical landscapes.

’From Annot you can hike through the Annot sandstone and pass by the ‘Chambre du Roi’. It’s magical to walk between the cliffs. Expect a 4-hour walk with a few climbs. Some tricky passages too. View over the plain ’

Enchanting place

’Relatively easy walk through its rocky formations that offer climbers of all stripes pretty playgrounds. Continue the walk towards Balme Longe (Baume Longe), under the chestnut trees. ’

The fabulous history of Annot sandstone

The Annot sandstone is not located in a restricted area, animals are allowed. Of exceptional biological and landscape interest, they are classified as Sensitive Natural Space.

This site requires all your respect for two reasons. On the one hand, it is fragile and, on the other hand, it is made up of private plots.

If you plan to make the 3-hour loop after heavy rain, the presence of sloping marl areas can make the trail slippery. In this case, we recommend that you start the hike on the way to the city. Don’t forget to bring your hiking poles.

You can park in the parking lot of the Provence railway station. If you do the loop, we recommend that you park in the village: you will not have to go back to the station to reach your car at the end of the hike.

Take a BB carrier with you if you want to go with your youngest child, beware that some passages are uneven. The climb is steep and, in some places, uncovered, so bring plenty of water.

Even though this walk may seem easy, wearing walking shoes is essential. Don’t forget to take your binoculars.