Lioux walks

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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 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.

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

The walk starts near Gordes (listed as one of the most beautiful villages in France) and passes through the Véroncle gorge to Murs and its castle. A very pleasant, energetic walk in the ravine of the Véroncle gorges, discovering the remains of old mills from different periods along the way. There are a few ladders and ropes, and an old sluice shaft that cannot be avoided.

The route leads up the Véroncle canyon then down the south-facing slopes of the Monts de Vaucluse.

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

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.

Circular route north of Gordes with a viewpoint overlooking Sénanque Abbey.

A very pleasant short hike on good paths, surrounded by abundant and varied vegetation, including a cedar forest. Extensive view of the Calavon valley with the Luberon as a backdrop.

The seventh stage brings this week-long hike through the enchanting Luberon region to a close. The route leads to the village of Gordes, perched on a rocky outcrop, where the dry-stone buildings, winding paved slanting streets and its proud, imposing castle reveal all the charm of these Provençal villages that have weathered centuries of conflict. It then heads to the magnificent Sénanque Abbey, peacefully nestled in a valley; its simple Romanesque architecture, built of grey limestone, is set off by the contrast of a vast field of lavender. Through the woods of the Vaucluse Plateau, he visits the charming little village of Saumane-de-Vaucluse, perched on a rocky outcrop and protected by its fortified castle, now converted into a bastion. He then descends to Fontaine-de-Vaucluse to admire the mighty resurgence of the Sorgue de Velleron, before returning to the car park where he started.

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.

Starting from the Trois Termes car park, situated at the first road junction north of Sénanque Abbey, this circular walk takes you through the heath on the Vaucluse plateau. The route runs alongside a historic section of the famous Plague Wall on two occasions. Wide, easy paths, occasionally rocky trails, and just 350 metres of tarmac.

A beautiful, easy hike that takes you to some of the most beautiful sites in the Luberon, including the villages of Gordes and Les Bories and Sénanque Abbey.

The Gordes Maquis Trail is a suggested walking route between Gordes and Sénanque, commemorating the local activities of the Secret Army during the Second World War… all set against an exceptional natural backdrop. A few information boards are dotted along the route. As well as its historical significance and natural beauty, a brief stroll through the narrow streets and sights of Gordes, together with the magnificent setting of Sénanque Abbey, make this a must-do walk.The term ‘revisited’ in the title simply means that the route is not exactly the one suggested by local organisations, as it is here in the opposite direction – starting from Sénanque rather than Gordes – and does not follow the suggested route exactly. The detour via Les Dilais offers a splendid view of the Gorges de la Sénancole.

A beautiful walk, mainly through the woods (so shaded), with some lovely views of the surrounding countryside. Part of the walk is not signposted, so I recommend following your GPS, especially when taking the small path that leads to the farm, and then for the section between leaving theGR® and rejoining the wide track after the lavender field.

A very pleasant loop in a varied and, in places, wild landscape, offering beautiful views of Sénanque Abbey and Mont Ventoux.

A circuit to the cliffs of the Gorges de la Nesque, through several wild combs and along balcony trails, with beautiful views of the Gorges de la Nesque and the Rocher du Cire as a bonus.

Discover the paths around Méthamis, the summit of Gacholle and its balcony trails above the exit of the Gorges de la Nesque.

A hike starting from the village of Méthamis, following several GRP® routes, including the Mont Ventoux Massif trail, then the Grande Combe de Lioux, the GRP® de la Pierre en Vaucluse to the beautiful village of Murs, then the GRP® des Monts de Vaucluse and the GR®91. It offers numerous views of the Ventoux, the Luberon and the Carpentras plain to the Dentelles de Montmirail, and even as far as the Lozère mountains in the distance towards the end of the route.You’ll walk through a variety of landscapes, starting with gorges over riverbed pebbles, then through woodland, a track with views, a few stretches of road (though very quiet), a forest track descending into valleys, and stony paths... This route is physically demanding, not only because of its length and elevation gain, but also due to two technical sections: between (18) and (19), descending to the Gorges de Vaumale, and then between (30) and (31), stony descents that require great care.

The hike allows us to explore the Mur de la Peste with its guardhouses and sentry boxes, starting from Méthamis, a beautiful Provençal village built on a rocky slope at the exit of the Gorges de la Nesque. The wall was restored in the 1990s over a distance of approximately 500 m. We also discover the Indochinese Trail and its history. A superb ridge with magnificent views of Mont Ventoux, the Monts de Vaucluse, the Luberon and the Gorges de la Nesque. Pretty little valleys on the way back. Various species of trees, including Atlas cedars in the forest.

Loop around Gordes and its dry stone dwellings, through the valley of Sénancole and its unique Sénanque Abbey.

Starting from Saint-Pantaléon-de-Gordes, where you mustn't forget to visit the small Romanesque church with its rock necropolis, this is an easy little circular route that winds through the undergrowth and between traditional Provençal dry stone walls. Numerous drystone shelters line the route, some accessible, others on private property. Walkers can also discover the remains of an old Jas and, well hidden in an oak forest, the longest drystone shelter in Provence, which is in perfect condition. A private path is available for the respectful use of hikers and cyclists, excluding all motor vehicles. The app's GPS is highly recommended on this route.

A very beautiful hike in the Nesque Gorges, along the riverbed and its overhangs. Moderator's addition on 14/06/2021: see reviews for help finding certain passages

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.

A very beautiful hike starting from Lumière Goult car park under the cliff at Lumière.

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.

This hike takes you through two magnificent Provençal villages: Blauvac, perched on a limestone ridge since the 12th century, with superb views of Mont Ventoux to the north and the Monts de Vaucluse to the south, and Méthamis, a historic village built on a rocky promontory at the exit of the Gorges de la Nesque, where traces of Neolithic dwellings were discovered during archaeological excavations. Descending from the summit of Gacholle towards Méthamis,the remains of drystone shelters, shepherds' shelters and sheep pens line the path. Information panels tell you about the harsh life of our ancestors.

This walk is best done when the lavender is in bloom, in late June or early July.

A varied route starting from Saint-Jean de Sault, with paths through the undergrowth or at the bottom of a valley, passages over old charcoal kilns and the discovery of a long path that is now almost forgotten, but was once used by charcoal burners on the Coteau de la Meynière.

Anyone travelling along the D900 between Avignon and Apt will certainly have noticed the cave dwellings to the north of the road, near the village of Les Beaumettes. This walk offers the chance to stop off and explore them. This is by no means an exhaustive or organised list, but here is a brief overview of the sights: the pretty little town hall square, the climb up to the cave castle, heaths, forests, ruins, wells, rain water reservoirs carved into rock, the botanical trail, drystone shelters, Provençal farmhouses, dry-stone walls, lavender fields, etc.