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Hikers trace Andy Goldsworthy’s remote art trail through Haute-Provence
A 69-year-old Canadian joins friends on a demanding hiking route through Haute-Provence centred on Andy Goldsworthy’s Refuges d’Art installations. The trail combines strenuous walking, remote overnight stays and site-specific land art, allowing hikers to experience both the region’s natural landscapes and restored historic shelters.
The 10-day route covers 150km and includes seven reservable, free off-grid cabins; the group undertakes about 45km over four days, carrying packs weighing up to 9kg. Goldsworthy created works for restored shepherd huts, farmhouses and stone shelters, including towering stone cairns and a light-filled installation at La Forest, where the hikers spend their first night sharing simple food and companionship.
In short
- Haute-Provence trail combines hiking with Andy Goldsworthy’s land art.
- The full route covers 150km and seven free refuges.
- Remote shelters offer an unusual way to experience nature and art.
Explained simply
Haute-Provence is a sparsely populated, mountainous region in south-eastern France, where old shepherd huts and farm buildings have often stood empty or fallen into disrepair. Andy Goldsworthy is a British artist known for making works from natural materials, designed for the places where they are built.
His Refuges d’Art project links restored shelters with artworks along a long-distance walking route. Hikers can stay overnight in basic, off-grid cabins, some of which must be reserved; the route’s length and remote terrain make preparation important.
The project brings together walking, local history and art made for a particular landscape. It also gives visitors a way to encounter parts of the region that are difficult to reach by car.
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Originally published by The Guardian as “‘To sleep in a sculpture is a wonderful idea’: a hike along Andy Goldsworthy’s epic art trail in Haute-Provence”.