Circular tour Alps
A wild loop around the Ubaye valley, between the Laverq abbey, the Col d’Allos, the heart of the Mercantour and the hamlets of the upper Ubaye.
A 156 km loop starting from La Fresquière (Méolans-Revel).
The GR56 makes a tour of the Ubaye valley, in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence. Ubaye Tourisme’s stage breakdown has it starting from the hamlet of La Fresquière, in Méolans-Revel, in the lower valley, and returning there after a complete tour of the valley. Part of the route lies within the core zone of the Mercantour National Park.
From the very first stage, the trail climbs the shady slopes of Méolans to the Col de Séolane (2,273 m), then descends through alpine pastures to the Laverq abbey, with a wide view over the Laverq valley, the Séolane and the Estrop massif. It then reaches the Col d’Allos, passes into the Haut Verdon and climbs the Bouchier valley and its waterfalls before descending via the Bachelard to the hamlet of Bayasse. Further on, the tour reaches Larche, Fouillouse and the upper Ubaye.
This is a mountain route, made up of long days and big height gains: Ubaye Tourisme rates several of its stages as “very difficult”. Some days cross long stretches with no village, which calls for good planning for meals and accommodation.
The GR56 connects with the GR5 and the GR6, so it can be combined with other routes in the Southern Alps. It is for fit hikers, at ease on mountain paths and looking for wide open spaces rather than comfort.
La Fresquière (Méolans-Revel)
The regional ZOU! 68 coach line Marseille – Digne-les-Bains – Barcelonnette, which calls at Manosque SNCF station, serves the Méolans-Revel La Fresquière stop, the starting point of the first stage. Schedules vary depending on the day and the season.
Ubaye Tourisme’s stage sheets consider the route walkable from mid-May to the end of October, weather permitting. Early and late in the season, check the snow cover on the passes and the opening dates of the refuges and gîtes.
Hard
Several stages are rated “very difficult” by Ubaye Tourisme: long days, big height gains and high passes. Good fitness and mountain experience are needed.
4 refuges, 3 gîtes, 7 unstaffed huts, and 7 B&Bs
The tour alternates between gîtes, refuges and accommodation in hamlets, such as the Col d’Allos refuge or the refuge-hotel at Bayasse. Book your nights in advance, especially in summer, and check opening dates early and late in the season.
Part of the GR56 crosses the core zone of the Mercantour National Park, where dogs are banned, even on a leash or carried. Bivouacking is allowed there from 7 pm to 9 am, more than an hour’s walk from the park boundaries or the last road access; camping, fires, picking plants and flying drones are forbidden.
Some stages, such as the one from the Col d’Allos to Bayasse, cross long stretches with no houses: carry enough food and drink for the day. Ask your accommodation about resupply.
TrekGR stage plan: each stage ends where you can sleep. Actual walking time excluding breaks (DIN 33466 standard).
| Stage | Route | Distance | Ascent | Descent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | La Fresquière (Méolans-Revel) → Les Clarionds | 9.9 km | 1,240 m | 580 m |
| 2 | Les Clarionds → Refuge du Col d'Allos | 16.8 km | 1,100 m | 540 m |
| 3 | Refuge du Col d'Allos → Cabanes du Talon | 11.1 km | 220 m | 540 m |
| 4 | Cabanes du Talon → Les Gaillards | 14.2 km | 740 m | 880 m |
| 5 | Les Gaillards → Bousieyas | 19.7 km | 840 m | 740 m |
| 6 | Bousieyas → Bergerie du Lauzanier | 10.2 km | 960 m | 560 m |
| 7 | Bergerie du Lauzanier → Cabane du Vallonet | 16.7 km | 890 m | 800 m |
| 8 | Cabane du Vallonet → La Condamine-Châtelard | 20 km | 680 m | 1,200 m |
| 9 | La Condamine-Châtelard → Refuge de la Pare | 20.7 km | 1,190 m | 1,230 m |
| 10 | Refuge de la Pare → La Fresquière (Méolans-Revel) | 16.5 km | 380 m | 1,160 m |
30 places to stay near the route, from refuges to campgrounds.
No current alerts for this GR (checked on November 12, 2026). All live updates →
The GR56 is a loop. In Ubaye Tourisme’s stage breakdown, the first stage starts from La Fresquière, in Méolans-Revel, and reaches the Laverq abbey via the Col de Séolane.
Not the full loop: several stages cross the core zone of the Mercantour National Park, where dogs are banned, even on a leash or carried.
Yes. In the core zone of the Mercantour, bivouacking is allowed from 7 pm to 9 am, more than an hour’s walk from the park boundaries or from road access; camping is forbidden there. See the Mercantour National Park regulations.
The ZOU! 68 coach line, which links Marseille to Barcelonnette via Manosque and Digne-les-Bains, stops at Méolans-Revel La Fresquière, at the start of the first stage.
The official stage sheets say the route can be walked from mid-May to the end of October, weather permitting. Snow cover on the passes and the opening of accommodation should be checked early and late in the season.
Yes: several stages are rated “very difficult” by Ubaye Tourisme, with long days and big height gains. It is for physically fit hikers only.
Route: OpenStreetMap contributors. Elevation: IGN’s RGE ALTI®, one point every 50 m. Text checked on November 10, 2026.
