Gargas (Vaucluse) walks

This cycle touring route follows the Voie Verte for the most part as far as Robion, before taking in the hilltop villages of Oppède-le-Vieux, Ménerbes, Lacoste and, finally, Bonnieux. The roads used are generally small country roads with little traffic, and are often shaded.

This sixth stage crosses the wooded slope of Perréal Hill before reaching the village of Gargas and winding through the farmland of the Urbane Valley, then climbing up to the pretty village of Roussillon, where you can allow an hour to visit the old ochre quarry, with its magnificently coloured landscapes of cliffs and fairy chimneys. The route returns to the cultivated fields and enters the narrow Gorges de la Véroncle – a little gem waiting to be discovered – before heading up the Ravin de Vézaule to reach Camping des Sources.

A four-day circular route that takes you up to the highest point of the Grand Luberon massif and along its ridges, offering superb panoramic views. You pass through numerous villages and hamlets, each boasting a rich heritage. Halfway through, you can add a loop to extend this route to five stages.

This first stage is mainly uphill, leading to the foot of the western part of the Grand Luberon ridges. Halfway through, there is a descent to pass by the foot of the Rocher des Druides and the hamlet of Roscalière, followed by a climb back up. It is possible to avoid this detour and thus shorten the stage.

Starting from the centre of Apt, this is a very beautiful, easy circular, passing in front of Saignon and Rocsalière to reach the Claparèdes plateau before descending back to Apt via a beautiful paved slanting street.

A pleasant little hike that has the advantage of starting practically in the centre of Apt, reaching the Saignon rock and returning along the hillside among fruit trees and lavender.

A long and beautiful excursion over easy but varied countryside, with some steeper sections on the descent but on an excellent path.

A superb hike combining magnificent views across the whole region with unmissable sights. Challenging sections are followed by pleasant, shaded paths or those running along ridges. One of the most beautiful yet little-known hikes around Saint-Saturnin-lès-Apt.

Circuit around Lioux returning through the Madeleine cliffs, with fine views of the Vaucluse ranges.

This easy hike can be enjoyed in any season. The blue of the lavender gives way to the warm tones of autumn or the green colours of spring. Along the route, you will discover hidden drystone shelters or majestic structures built in the middle of fields. You will alternate between small paths in the undergrowth and paths through fields offering magnificent views of the Luberon mountain.

Discover the Combe de Lioux, which is narrow in places, with its natural caves, as you walk in the cool shade. Leave the valley to cross the cedar forest and reach the Château de Saint-Lambert, a former sanatorium that has been abandoned and vandalised. After a descent, you will reach the Falaise de la Madeleine, a remarkable site with an impressive view of the village of Lioux and a 360° panorama.

A very beautiful walk starting from the pretty little village of Saignon.

A pleasant route along the Aigue Brun, a tributary of the Durance, which over the years has wound its way between the two Luberon mountains, the Grand to the east and the Petit to the west.

A peaceful, easy walk. Climb up to the plateau planted with fruit trees, then descend through very narrow gorges, less than a metre wide in places.

Walk up Vaumale valley along a beautiful trail equipped with climbing aids and then come back down the wilder and less rocky Lioux valley.

This circular route allows you to discover many picturesque landscapes such as the Falaise de la Madeleine in Lioux and the Combe de la Sigalière, as well as the Col de la Ligne, offering a view of Mont Ventoux. The route consists mainly of small, isolated and very quiet roads winding between scrubland and forests.

A beautiful hike that takes you to the hilltop village of Saignon via old mule tracks through the woods and fields. The Saignon rock offers an incredible panorama of the Apt valley, the Monts de Vaucluse and Mont Ventoux.

Along the rocky ridges of the Gorges du Marignon, discover two magnificent caves and breathtaking views of the Luberon.

An easy circular offering beautiful panoramic views of the Luberon and the Provençal Colorado.

Discover rain water reservoirs carved into rock, which enabled rural life to continue in this waterless area.

A short loop from Buoux follows a balcony path above the Aigue Brun valley and returns along the stream.

This hike starts in the village of Buoux, in the heart of the Luberon massif, and takes you to the banks of the Aiguebrun, at the foot of Fort de Buoux (open to visitors), then through the woods to the impressive cliffs of Buoux, world-renowned for their climbing sites. Once at the foot of these impressive walls, you will walk around them and then along the top, enjoying some breathtaking views of the Vallon de l'Aiguebrun, before returning leisurely to the village.

Circuit around the Aigue Brun to see the different aspects of this valley nestled at the foot of the Luberon.

A beautiful hike that will allow you to discover the surroundings of Rustrel's Colorado.

A loop that takes you to the hamlet of Seguins along the ridges of the Grand Luberon through Sivergues and Chastelas.

This pleasant walk will allow you to discover the beautiful village of Sivergues and its surroundings while enjoying the coolness along the Aiguebrun and the magnificent site of the Buoux cliffs. It can be done in all seasons and is accessible to all.

A loop around the green valley of the Aigue Brun, a permanent stream in the Luberon, enclosed by imposing cliffs, passing through Sivergues and the Baume de l'Eau on the way back.

A walk that begins with a refreshing stroll along the Aiguebrun, then climbs up to the ridge of the massif via the Vallon de Petarelle. The descent follows a path that passes through the Rocher Gorge. The scenery is splendid and soothing. Throughout this walk, you’ll come across numerous remains from a time when this massif was a place of life and sustenance. Best undertaken in spring or autumn. According to other walkers, it may be better to park in the car park in the village of Sivergues; from there, follow the signposted GRP® route north-eastwards to reach the waypoint (1) via a paved slanting street that descends towards l’Aiguebrun. On the return journey, it is then possible to avoid the short stretch of road and head directly back to Sivergues via the Castelas Equestrian Lodge; you need to turn off after the waypoint (8). Finally, I have been informed that there are three aggressive dogs between waypoints (3) and (4).

An easy walk between two magnificent villages in the Monts de Vaucluse, Joucas and Murs.

Discover Murs, its castle and its surroundings.

A very beautiful and dynamic hike through the Véroncle Gorges and its four famous water mills. Climbing up these gorges, sometimes with the help of ladders or knotted ropes, is a real pleasure. The exit from the gorges leads to a sunny, stony plateau where you can take a well-deserved break. The return from Murs to Joucas via Notre-Dame du Salut will round off this original hike that you will certainly never forget.

A very, very beautiful circular hike (technical in places) through wild gorges with varied and pleasant paths that alternate between woodland, a hamlet, pools in the Véroncle riverbed and mills in picturesque gorges. At the request of some hikers, I have classified this hike as ‘difficult’ Allow 5 hours for this hike, not 3 hours 45 minutes as indicated.Do not attempt this with a dog, nor in or after rainy weather, nor in excessively hot weather. Read the reviews.

Bonnieux stands on the northern slope of the Petit Luberon, facing the village of Lacoste. The village is situated on the northern side of the Combe de Lourmarin, which was – and still is – the only road crossing the Luberon. This hilltop village boasts an exceptional panorama stretching from the Petit Luberon to Mont Ventoux, via the Monts du Vaucluse. The village, dominated by its old church flanked by centuries-old cedar trees, offers visitors a wide variety of natural and historical sites. As you wander through its steep, winding alleyways, remarkable mansions, the remains of ramparts, fountains and wash houses come into view.The Tourist Office has set up a heritage route featuring fifteen information panels that trace the history of the village. The route suggested here does not follow it exactly, and the GPS signal was disrupted by the village’s unique layout.

This second stage is both long and superb! First, you climb the highest point of the Luberon, the Mourre Nègre, alternating between steep paths and gently sloping tracks. Then, you follow the ridges from west to east, always on open terrain with sweeping panoramic views. The (long) descent to Vitrolles is shaded.

This walk, mainly under the oak trees of the Luberon, will allow you to discover the numerous stone walls that line the route, a sign of past occupation. You will see an old shell-shaped bridge, the Philippe tower (named after a utopian), a Gallic village, and of course the Grand Luberon with the Mourre Nègre, the Combe de Lourmarin, the Ventoux, the Montagne Sainte-Victoire, and the view of Bonnieux with its two churches.

This is a beautiful, easy hike in the Luberon in a magnificent landscape where you can discover numerous rain water reservoirs carved into rock and drystone shelters.

Accessible walk: hilltop village, Luberon, heath and drystone shelters. No major difficulties, spectacular scenery and relatively uncrowded even in high season. Alongside this walk, discover Goult, a hidden hilltop village that’s a must-visit, as well as Notre-Dame de Lumière and the Conservatoire des Terrasses.

A hike on little-known tracks in the districts of Lacoste, Goult and Ménerbes. An overview of nearly ten centuries of history, comprising the chapel, the old abbey and the castle.

This circuit leads to the top of Mourre Nègre, the highest point in the Luberon (1,115 metres), from the north, via a series of detours. The climb is gradual. Beautiful view from the summit. The descent also offers beautiful panoramic views but requires good footwear on a stony path.

A beautiful walk through the forests and heaths of the Luberon with many traces of rural activity (beautiful ruins of Lausemolan, cisterns, wells and rain water reservoirs carved into rock) but also the Wall of the Plague and beautiful views of Mont Ventoux.

Be prepared to visit the caves on all fours or even crawling, but it's worth the detour. A little dusty clay, a few harmless bats, but a magnificent sight once inside. So avoid wearing a suit and opt for less easily soiled clothing. The rest of the walk will offer you generous sunshine and all along the trail you can see the Combe Denca and the Luberon in the distance and even Sainte-Beaume. The hike takes you along small paths lined with holm oaks, thyme and rosemary.

This hike takes you to the highest section of the Luberon ridge. 360° panoramic views. The route is often shaded by holm oak forests and some beautiful pine forests, which is pleasant in hot weather. Several open sections offer views to the south or north. This very natural hike is fairly easy, except for the slightly significant elevation gain, but this is intentional, intended for those who are not afraid of a little effort.

If you want a challenging circular with handrails, cables, etc. On the programme: descent of the Gorges de La Véroncle with some of its ruined mills and ascent of the Combe de Vaumale.

Short path to access Mourre Nègre via the shaded slopes of the northern side of the Luberon.

The Mourre Nègre, the highest point in the Luberon mountain range, offers breathtaking views from its crest, stretching from the Étang de Berre to the Southern Alps and including the Sainte-Victoire and Mont Ventoux peaks. On the way down, passing through the Vallon du Roumi, you can get close to the ruins (currently being restored) of the ancient Château Saint-Pierre and the adjoining chapel of the same name.

Lovely hike without much difficulty. After climbing uphill for just under a kilometre, just enough time to reach an altitude of 700 m, where the the panoramic view of Lubéron with its lowlands and further below the valley behind Murs, opens up to you. Just for your enjoyment, this view will last for more than 4 km. The majority of the circular hike is through forest paths.

A very pretty hike offering beautiful views of the northern and southern Luberon, with a passage through a wild ravine.

This circuit on the upper slopes of the Luberon leads to the Forêt des Cèdres, then passes at the foot of the Roque des Bancs before descending through the Vallon de Cavède.

Starting from the Col de la Ligne, discover traces of Vaucluse history in all its forms, from the Wall of the Plague erected in 1721 to the forced arrival of Indochinese people before the Second World War, who gave their name to a forest road and a track.

A lovely, pleasant circular walk at the end of June as the lavender is in bloom and the temperature doesn’t get too high due to the altitude. Only the end of the walk is a little steeper in the Vallon des Jardins, up to Les Esfourniaux. The beauty of the vegetation (rowan, plum, dogwood, etc.) will quickly make you forget the effort involved.