P'tites Routes du Soleil
Sisteron / Digne-les-Bains
From Sisteron, embark on one of the longest climbs along the whole P’tites Routes du Soleil® cycle route. Why not use it as an excuse to go and visit the animal park at Saint-Geniez or to stop for a bite there or in Authon. After riding along close to the Monges Range and crossing the Col de Font-Belle (a pass at 1,304m), you’ll discover the Duyes Valley. Enjoy the lovely views both from the Col d’Hysope (1,236m), which you come to on a descent, and all along the road leading down to Thoard and then Digne-les-Bains. Note that there is a short but quite lovely climb to the Pas de Bonnet (886m) a short distance before arriving at the town of Digne.
Gradients and elevation
Ascents: 1326m
Descents: 1229m
Lowest point: 465m
Highest point: 1314m
Slope breakdown
10km steep descent (< -5%)
12km gentle descent (-5% to -1%)
15km flat (-1% to 2%)
14km climb (2% to 5%)
7km hard climb (5% to 8%)
3km very hard climb (> 8%)
Road types
61km (100%) of shared roads
- Cycle path
- Routes reserved for cyclists and pedestrians (greenways, cycle tracks, towpaths), separated from cars for maximum safety.
- Shared road
- Quiet minor roads with little traffic (unless otherwise stated in the stage details). Shared with cars (stay alert).
- Not specified
- Data unavailable or being assessed. Please refer to the detailed stage description.
- Provisional
- Section on a road or cycle path awaiting better-quality facilities (see stage details).
Surface
60km (99%) of smooth surface
- Smooth
- Asphalt, tarmac or smooth concrete. Optimal comfort.
- Rough
- Fine gravel, compacted stabilised surface or worn tarmac. Less comfortable, vibrations possible.
- Natural
- Dirt, grass, roots or stones. Under 5%: short sections with little impact. Higher percentage: route suited to mountain or gravel bikes only.
- Not specified
- Data unavailable or being assessed. Please refer to the detailed stage description.
Don't miss:
- La Vallée Sauvage animal park at Saint-Geniez: to see both wild animals from the region’s mountains, such as marmots, deer and wild sheep, and farm animals, all living in 15 hectares of nature, including woodland.
- Digne-les-Bains: the county town of the département, or French county, of Alpes de Haute-Provence as well as a thermal spa resort (specializing in treating respiratory and rheumatic complaints). It stands in the heart of the UNESCO Géoparc de Haute-Provence, lies along the route Refuges d’Art, dedicated to Land Art, and became home to pioneering Eastern explorer Alexandra David-Néel. All told, Digne provides visitors with many surprises!
- Thoard: the main settlement in the Duyes Valley, this perched village was built on a rocky outcrop and is overseen by its 12th-century bell-tower.
- UNESCO Haute-Provence Geopark: created in order to protect and preserve the area’s exceptional geological heritage, this geopark served as model for the development of many further such parks around the globe.
