Saint-Martin-Dʼentraunes: Cycling, Mountains and Culture

Saint-Martin-Dʼentraunes combines high alpine scenery with opportunities for cycling, hiking, winter sports and culture. There are several ways to plan your trip: cycle up to Col des Champs, hike across the Plateau Saint-Barnabé, enjoy winter activities near Val Pelens, or visit during the patron saint’s festival in June.

Col des Champs: mountain pass route and cycling

Col des Champs is an old route connecting the upper Var and upper Verdon. It is also a landmark for the cycling climb, which starts in Saint-Martin-Dʼentraunes at 1,060 m and reaches the pass at 2,061 m. These elevations describe the climb from the village to the pass.

On the official route up the D278, the climb includes a 4.1 km section with an 8% gradient. The distance and gradient refer to this section, while the elevations describe the starting point of the cycling climb and its destination at the pass. This distinction helps put the different figures into context when planning a cycling stage. Road conditions can vary by season.

Plateau Saint-Barnabé: hiking at high altitude

The Plateau Saint-Barnabé lies at 1,700 m in the commune of Saint-Martin-Dʼentraunes, near Val Pelens. An easily accessible hike crosses the plateau and is possible year-round. Seasonal conditions can vary here too.

The plateau offers a distinct hiking option alongside the climb to the pass: the focus is on a hike at altitude, while the information about Col des Champs is mainly about the cycling route and its gradient. When planning your stay, you can take these different options into account when choosing when to travel.

Val Pelens and winter activities

Val Pelens is a sunny ski resort in the village of Saint-Martin-Dʼentraunes. The ski area is particularly suitable for children. As seasonal offerings can change, it is advisable to check current conditions before your trip.

Near Val Pelens, you can go snowshoeing at the foot of the Aiguilles de Pelens. Ski touring is possible around Col des Champs. These are distinct winter activities, each associated with a different location: snowshoeing at the foot of the Aiguilles and ski touring around the pass. Routes and conditions depend on the season.

Church and patron saint’s festival

The Église Saint-Martin also offers a cultural point of interest. It was designated a Monument historique in 1926 and has an altarpiece by François BREA dating from 1555. The heritage designation and the altarpiece mark different historical milestones: the designation dates to 1926, and the artwork to 1555.

The Saint Barnabé patron saint’s festival takes place in June. It includes a mass at the Chapelle St Barnabé and the distribution of blessed bread. The exact festival program may vary. If you want to plan your trip around the festival, June is the time of year indicated.

Plan your stay around the reason for your trip

When looking for a hotel in Saint-Martin-Dʼentraunes, it helps to first decide what you want to focus on during your stay: cycling at Col des Champs, hiking on the plateau, winter activities near Val Pelens, or the patron saint’s festival in June. Choose your travel dates to suit that focus, and check seasonal conditions if your trip depends on a winter activity.

Discover more destinations: Pierrefeu, Contes, Cipières, Chateauneuf-Villevieille, Saint-Cezaire-Sur-Siagne, Castillon, Sauze, Saint-Antonin

For the broader travel overview: Alpes-Maritimes.