Grande Traversée VTT L’Alpes-Provence connects the French-Italian border with Manosque on a journey from the Alps towards Provence. Alpes de Haute-Provence Tourisme presents the route as a sequence of mountain-bike sections, with challenging trails, villages and changing landscapes along the way.
From the border towards Seyne
The route begins at Col de Larche on the Italian border and follows the Ubaye valley westward. The departmental tourism guide describes a journey past Alpine pastures towards Lac de Serre-Ponçon, then over another pass and through Montclar towards the Blanche valley.
Alpes de Haute-Provence Tourisme divides the itinerary into named sections, including Col de Larche to Meyronnes, Jausiers to Barcelonnette and Le Lauzet to Montclar. Around Seyne, the local tourist office describes technical trails, Lac de Saint-Léger and small hamlets. Between Seyne and Verdaches, a climb towards Col de Charcherie leads to a trail descending into the valley.
The Terres Noires and Digne-les-Bains
Beyond Verdaches, the route passes hamlets and approaches La Javie before continuing through Draix and Archail into the Terres Noires. Here dark, eroded ground forms a distinctive setting for a succession of trails and natural steps leading down towards the Bléone valley and Digne-les-Bains.
France Vélo Tourisme describes the climbs and descents on this section as technical and suitable for experienced mountain bikers. The local tourist office identifies La Javie to Digne-les-Bains as one of the most technical parts of the itinerary. Digne is also a place to explore the Haute-Provence geological reserve.
Across the Durance towards Provence
Leaving Digne, the route combines a cycle path with tracks and trails towards Gaubert and Mallemoisson. The journey then continues towards Volonne, with views over the Bléone and Durance and a lakeside trail through a protected reed-bed environment.
Beyond Volonne, the Val de Durance section brings riders into the Bruyères hills and onto singletrack and an old Roman route near the twelfth-century Chapelle Saint-Donat. The published section list continues via Cruis, Saint-Étienne-les-Orgues, Forcalquier and Saint-Michel-l’Observatoire to Manosque, giving the traverse its gradual transition into Provençal landscapes.
Planning the ride
The full itinerary is 305 km, but the departmental tourism guide also presents it as a route for shorter trips. Consult the individual section descriptions and difficulty grades when choosing a portion: terrain and technical demands vary considerably across the traverse.
The departmental guide advises riders to check their mountain bike, carry supplies and repair equipment, and respect the direction of the itinerary. It also asks visitors to take care around grazing livestock and remain calm around livestock protection dogs. France Vélo Tourisme lists accommodation along the Verdaches to Digne section, including places identified with the Accueil Vélo label.