Walking Holidays & Outdoor Adventures in the Ubaye Valley
High Passes and Remote Valleys
A high Alpine landscape shaped by long-distance routes, remote settlements, and journeys on foot.
The Ubaye Valley, often referred to as the Haute Ubaye in its upper reaches, is one of the French Alps’ most remote and rewarding landscapes for walking holidays. Running east–west through the southern Alps toward the Italian border, the valley is defined by high passes, open mountain basins, and routes that have guided travellers through the mountains for centuries.
These mountains also support a wide range of outdoor adventures, from sustained high-mountain walking to demanding hiking adventures that cross exposed terrain above the tree line. Movement here is shaped by altitude, weather, and distance, with journeys that unfold slowly and reward careful planning.
For those drawn to cycling journeys, the Ubaye offers quiet valley roads and historic Alpine cols that mirror the region’s walking routes. Cyclists and walkers often share the same corridors through the landscape, moving between settlements that have long served people travelling under their own power.
Across the valley, carefully positioned places to stay play a central role in how journeys unfold. Small hotels and guesthouses sit within valley villages, while higher routes connect to remote mountain passes and neighbouring valleys, allowing walkers and cyclists to travel deep into the southern Alps over multiple days. Together, these journeys — on foot, by bike, and between carefully placed places to stay — make the Ubaye Valley a place best explored slowly, thoughtfully, and on its own terms.
Trails and Routes Through the Ubaye Valley
The Ubaye Valley forms an important corridor for long-distance and high-mountain routes through the southern French Alps, supporting self-guided travel across remote terrain.
GR5 — Southern Alpine Section
The GR5 passes through the Ubaye Valley as it makes its long journey from the North Sea to the Mediterranean. In this section, walkers cross high passes and wide mountain basins, with long stages that demand endurance and careful planning.
The route links upper-valley settlements such as Saint-Paul-sur-Ubaye with neighbouring Alpine valleys, offering some of the most remote and atmospheric walking in the southern Alps.
High Alpine Passes & Linking Routes
Beyond the GR5, a network of historic paths connects:
- High mountain passes toward Italy
- Alpine meadows and summer grazing areas
- Remote hamlets and valley settlements
- Linking routes between neighbouring Alpine valleys
These paths allow walkers and hikers to build linear or modular journeys, adapting routes to experience, weather, and season.
National Parks & Protected Landscapes
Much of the upper Ubaye lies within or alongside Mercantour National Park, one of France’s most important protected mountain landscapes.
Here, high limestone peaks rise above glacial valleys shaped by geology rather than development. Wildlife such as ibex, chamois, and golden eagles move freely across the landscape, while ancient rock engravings, old salt routes, and abandoned settlements add cultural depth to the walking.
The Ubaye also borders protected landscapes such as the Queyras Regional Natural Park, preserving traditional mountain villages, high pastures, and historic border routes near the Italian frontier.
Adventure Highlights
- Long-distance walking on the GR5 through high Alpine terrain
- Remote valley landscapes with limited road access
- High-mountain hiking adventures above the tree line
- Historic routes shaped by transhumance and trade
- Quiet cycling journeys over classic Alpine cols
- Protected landscapes defined by nature and movement
The Ubaye Valley rewards those who value preparation, awareness, and time spent moving through the landscape rather than around it.
Places to Stay in the Ubaye Valley
Accommodation in the Ubaye reflects the scale and remoteness of the terrain.
Valley villages and towns offer small hotels, guesthouses, and traditional auberges, providing bases for day walks and longer journeys. Higher routes pass through sparsely populated areas, where careful planning between settlements is essential for multi-day walking and cycling trips.
Stays here support travel that is shaped by distance, elevation, and terrain rather than convenience.
Explore the Ubaye Valley by Place
Key destinations within the Ubaye Valley include:
- Saint-Paul-sur-Ubaye — a historic settlement at the upper end of the valley
- Smaller mountain villages and hamlets scattered along the valley floor
- Remote passes and upland areas reached primarily on foot
Each plays a role in supporting walking holidays and long-distance journeys through the valley.
Why Walk in the Ubaye Valley
The Ubaye Valley offers something increasingly rare in the Alps — space, quiet, and continuity between landscape and movement.
It suits travellers drawn to:
- Self-guided walking holidays rather than organised tours
- Hiking adventures shaped by terrain and weather
- Routes defined by passes, valleys, and historic movement
- Cycling and walking journeys that share the same Alpine corridors
This is a valley where walking still feels like the primary way of understanding the mountains.