An idea for a hike: walk up to “Le vieil esclangon”, and then continue on to the extraordinary viewpoint overlooking the site named “Le Vélodrome” to contemplate the history of the Earth over several hundred million years!
The starting point is from the D900A road connecting Digne-les-Bains to Seyne via Barles. The parking area is well indicated and the path is well marked. It climbs for 2 km up to the old village of Esclangon, now in ruins. It will take you 45 minutes to 1 hour, then an additional 15 to 20 minutes to reach the fabulous viewpoint on the folding of the earth’s crust… at the center of the “Vélodrome”, you can see the “Lame de Facibelle”.
Your effort is really rewarded when you discover this landscape, which many aspiring geologists come to study. It is one of the remarkable sites of the UNESCO Geopark of Haute-Provence and the geological reserve.
