Col du Défens (1,230 m) – Lake Castillon loop from Les Granges de Gaban

France

Provence-Alpes-Côte D'Azur

Provence

Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur

Castellane

Moriez

Col du Défens (1,230 m) – Lake Castillon loop from Les Granges de Gaban

Hard

5.0

(1)

riders

Col du Défens (1,230 m) – Lake Castillon loop from Les Granges de Gaban

05:52

85.1km

1,770m

Gravel riding

Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.

Last updated: August 24, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through protected areas

Please check local regulations for:

Parc naturel régional du Verdon

Réserve naturelle Géologique de Haute-Provence

Waypoints

Start point

Get Directions

22.2 km

Tartonne

Highlight • Settlement

I recommend a little detour to Tartonne, because honey is produced there and the village has a very interesting salt water source.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

26.8 km

Sentinel of the Asse – Andy Goldsworthy

Highlight • Monument

This strange construction which sits in one of the bends of the Col du Défens is in reality a work by Andy Goldsworthy, a major figure in land art. It …

Translated by Google •

Tip by

28.7 km

Col du Défens (1,230 m)

Highlight • Mountain Pass

One of my favorite passes (1,230 meters) in this region that I know well. A good quality road, very little traffic, magnificent scenery and a very accessible climb on both sides.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

29.3 km

Last climb before the pass

Highlight (Segment) • Other

These are the only steep climbs with 2 bends from this side.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

55.5 km

Verdon Viaduct

Highlight • Other

Small viaduct of the railway line over the Verdon. Here the so-called Train des Pignes runs between Nice and Digne-les-Bains.
More information: de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chemins_de_fer_de_Provence and de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bahnstrecke_Nizza%E2%80%93Digne-les-Bains

Translated by Google •

Tip by

69.3 km

Angles Bay / Le Verdon

Highlight • Other

Here you can rent boats

Translated by Google •

Tip by

70.8 km

Lake Castillon results from a water reservoir at the Cheiron hill. When the dam was installed, water engulfed the village of Castillon and the Saint-Julien bridge.

This lake with azure waters is perfect for cooling off.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

78.8 km

Col des Robines

Highlight • Mountain Pass

Small alpine pass on the N202 (Route Napoleon) between Barrême in the valley of the Asse and Saint-André-les-Alpes in the valley of the Verdon. There is also a small passport sign!
More information: fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Col_des_Robines and alpenrouten.de/Robines-Col-des_point927.html

Translated by Google •

Tip by

85.1 km

End point

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types