Tips for hikers

Here are some tips for hikers: markings and signs to help you find your way, how to behave around livestock protection dogs, and other advice to make your hike go as smoothly as possible.

Hiker's Advice on Livestock Protection Dogs

Some hikes cross mountain pastures grazed by animals. Sheepdogs (known as herding dogs) and predator protection dogs, such as patous, often guard sheep, ewes, and other animals.
These dogs do not develop any particular aggression towards humans, but as their role is to dissuade any intruder from approaching the flock, they will probably come between it and you, barking.
They work independently of the shepherd, and are often several (working in a “pack”).

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How to behave: some advice

Hikers are therefore advised not to cross a herd but to go around it.
Facing the guard dog, don't run, don't make big gestures, don't look him in the eyes (like any dog, he can perceive a fixed stare as aggression) stop while he identifies you, remain calm and passive, do not threaten him, do not pet him.

If you're on a mountain bike, get off your bike. A fast-moving bike stimulates the dog's pursuit instinct and may be perceived as a threat by the protection dog.

We recommend avoiding taking your pet dog into areas where livestock is present. If you do take your dog, keep it on a leash so it doesn't disturb the animals. Guard dogs will also not perceive it as a potential threat. If guard dogs approach you, place your dog behind you.

PastoRando, locations of the Allos summer herds

PastoRando is an experiment carried out by the Alpes Provence Verdon Community of Communes in the commune of Allos since the summer of 2022. It has been extended to the Chasse valleys in Villars Colmars and to the Lignins sector in the commune of Colmars-les-Alpes since the summer of 2023. The pastoral units “Montagne de Maurel”, “Pic de Rent” and “Orgeas Pasquier” have been part of the system since the summer of 2024.

The herds are automatically located on a map every hour by sensors.
The zones expand when the signal is lost. The user's position, generated by their phone, allows them to locate themselves in relation to them.
This information is given for information purposes only as it may happen that the herd or the protection dogs move suddenly.

Find the locations of the summer herds on the interactive map.

Marking and signage

The French Hiking Federation has published a national standard for marking hiking trails.

GR®, marked in white and red, will take you on several days of routes linear across large territories (e.g.: the GR®653D towards St Jacques de Compostelle, the GR®4 which crosses the Verdon Regional Natural Park, the GR®5 across the Alps, etc.).

GR de Pays®, marked in yellow and red, are routes, often in a loop, lasting several days, which will allow you to discover a mountain range or a valley (e.g.: GR de Pays® Les Tours de Lure, GR de Pays® Les Tours du Haut-Verdon, etc.).

Marked in yellow, circuits for walks and day hikes will take you to the four corners of the department through magnificent landscapes, between peaks and valleys, forests and mountain pastures, ... where you may be lucky enough to see chamois, golden eagles and marmots and enjoy the multiple colors and variety of the preserved flora.

On the ground you will find paint markings that will guide you throughout your journey.

Discover also our hiking routes on the paths and trails of the Alpes de Haute Provence.

Directional signage

The department manages hiking signage. At each intersection of the hiking network, you will find a directional post with the following information:

• Location indication: name of the place and altitude, with GPS coordinates on the back)
• Directional indication: next intersection on the first line and main directions (on the 2nd and 3rd lines)
• Distance, walking time and markings.

Other tips for hikers

• Be courteous to the public and respect private property.
• Respect the living silence of the place.
• Respect crops and pastures.
• Close the enclosure doors securely.
• Leave the premises as clean as you would like to find them when you arrive.
• Do not pollute water points, they are rare.
• Do not make fires.
• Avoid cutting the switchbacks described by some trails.
• Keep your dogs on a leash.
• Dogs prohibited in the Mercantour National Park.

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Report a problem on the hiking trails

To enable you to make the most of the marked and maintained trails in the department, we ask you to report any anomalies noted on the routes taken using the national Suricate website.