Canyoning: the valley's flagship activity
If you could only do one activity during your stay, this would be it. The Ubaye valley packs some of the finest canyons in the Southern Alps: Costeplane, Clapouse, la Blache, plus the Haut-Var and Hautes-Alpes sites reachable in a day. From a family trip from age 8 to an exception trip for experienced canyoners, there's something for every level. I offer four packages, gear included, in small groups, with close attention to the day's conditions.
Rafting on the Ubaye
The Ubaye is one of France's most sporty rivers for rafting, with class III to V sections. Expect 1h30 to 2h in an inflatable boat with a guide. Accessible from age 10 on some routes, it's the perfect activity for group fun without technical commitment. Several rafting bases operate in Barcelonnette and Méolans-Revel. I can happily recommend a local partner if you want to combine rafting + canyoning during your stay.
Hiking: the valley's trails
The Ubaye valley is a paradise for hikers. From Lac d'Allos (Europe's largest natural high-altitude lake) to the peaks of Col de Larche and the Restefond ridges, trails are varied and spectacular. Barcelonnette is an ideal starting point, with access to dozens of hikes for all levels. The GR56 (Ubaye tour) is a classic for multi-day hikers.
Mountain biking and road cycling
Pra Loup and Le Sauze open their lifts in summer for downhill mountain biking. For road cyclists, the valley's passes are legendary: Col de la Bonette (Europe's highest road), Col de Vars, Col de Larche towards Italy. Plenty to stretch your legs between canyoning trips.
Swimming: lakes and rivers
For hot days, the valley offers spectacular natural swimming spots: the Bachelard pools, Lac de Serre-Ponçon 30 minutes away, Lac du Lauzet. Water is cool but the setting is incomparable. Perfect for recovery after a morning canyoning trip.
Barcelonnette: the town worth visiting
Beyond sports activities, Barcelonnette is a town of character with its historic Mexican villas, its Wednesday and Saturday market, and a very pleasant café terrace scene in summer. The architectural heritage is unique in France: local families who emigrated to Mexico in the 19th century came back to build the colourful villas you'll see everywhere downtown. A real change of scenery.
My tip for a week-long stay
Combine. One day family canyoning, one day hiking, one day rafting, one day MTB at Pra Loup, one day swimming at Lac de Serre-Ponçon, one day market + terraces in Barcelonnette, and one day discovery canyoning to finish on a high. The Ubaye is varied enough to fill a full week without ever getting bored. And if you liked canyoning, come back next season for a Sport or Exception trip: there's always a new canyon to discover.