Plaine des Bessons

Ideal for beginners looking to practice their first technical skills in the world of trail running, this short 5-km loop with a fairly significant elevation gain takes you up from the village of Orpierre. The trail, at the foot of Rocher Saint Michel, offers views of the village and its cliffs.


From the fountain in the village square, follow the D 30 toward Laragne, then take the small road toward the Camping des Princes d'Orange. After the bridge, head back up the main road that runs alongside the campground. Continue along the trail until you reach a fork.
Take the right fork onto the main trail. Pass in front of the old Paturle farm, ignore the trail branching off to the right, and continue uphill to a second fork.
At the signpost marked “Au-dessus de Paturle,” take the left trail toward “Saint Michel via the Plaine des Bessons” (yellow markers). Be careful: the shaded trail climbs quite steeply for 300 meters.
At the next fork, head down the path straight ahead toward “Orpierre via Plaine des Bessons – 2.8 km.” Cross the wooded plain, then follow the trail downhill to the main path.
Return to the church square via the same route you took on the way up.