Arfuyen via the Col de la Chaîne and Col de la Pousterle

This beautiful hike will take you to the heights of Arfuyen, offering a 360° view of Provence and the Drôme Provençale. Then, through the undergrowth, you will reach La Pousterle and the foot of Saint-Amand. In the distance, you will see Le Barroux and its majestic castle.

Details

50508562
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.69 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 20 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,437 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,437 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,106 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,079 ft

Photos

Description of the walk

From Malaucène, head towards Suzette and, when you reach the Col de la Chaîne, park in the small car park by the roadside.

(S/E) Take a look at the Marvellous Dentelles de Montmirail and the breathtaking scenery. Walk back up the tarmac road for about a hundred metres towards Suzette and take the small path on your right, under the pine trees. Continue the gentle climb on theGR®4-GRP® des Dentelles de Montmirail.

(1) Leave theGR®4andGRP® and take the path on the right that leads to the summit of Arfuyen. Climb to altitude 642, then continue downhill on the Arfuyen ridge and take in the magnificent landscape!

(2) Continue along the path on the right, still descending, to elevation 384.

(3) Leave the path on your right and stay on the stony path. A little further on, cross a small stream and continue straight ahead for 100 metres.

(4) Take the small path on the left along the forest and stay on the right-hand side of this path. Cross the Sublon and join the forest road.

(5) Turn left onto this road and continue for 250 metres.

(6) Before the Ferme de la Font du Pommier, take the path on your right and continue uphill.

(7) At the "Cyprès des Évêques" crossroads, take the path furthest to your left towards La Pousterle. Stay on this path and ignore all the small paths to your right and left.

(8) At Pas du Loup, pass between these two beautiful rocks of La Pousterle, which means "little gate" in Provençal.

(9) At the "Le Partifiage" crossroads, take theGR®4-GRP® on your left.

(10) Stay on the left on theGR®4-GRP®, do not take the two paths on your right. You will come to the intersection of the circular.

(1) Head right to return to the car park (S/E) via the same route you took on the way there.

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 1,545 ft - Car park - Col de la Chaîne (468m)
  2. 1 : mi 0.64 - alt. 1,762 ft - Ascent to Arfuyen
  3. 2 : mi 2.2 - alt. 1,601 ft - Descent to the Font du Pommier
  4. 3 : mi 2.52 - alt. 1,257 ft - Elevation 384
  5. 4 : mi 2.76 - alt. 1,079 ft - Crossing the Sublon
  6. 5 : mi 3.47 - alt. 1,129 ft - Forest road
  7. 6 : mi 3.62 - alt. 1,168 ft - Climb back up to the Cyprès des Évêques - Sublon (cours d'eau) - Affluent du Groseau
  8. 7 : mi 4.74 - alt. 1,686 ft - Elevation 514
  9. 8 : mi 5.25 - alt. 1,906 ft - La Pousterle - Pas du Loup
  10. 9 : mi 5.49 - alt. 1,962 ft - Le Partifiage
  11. 10 : mi 5.77 - alt. 1,952 ft - On the GR 4
  12. S/E : mi 6.69 - alt. 1,545 ft - Col de la Chaîne car park

Notes

Wear sturdy footwear, as the hike requires some care on the stony steps. If you have a pet, you can give it a drink from the stream.

Worth a visit

Magnificent views, don't forget to look up!

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 12 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.9 / 5
cathyferrer
cathyferrer

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 11, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very interesting walk with some lovely views. The vegetation often provided shade and shelter from the strong wind. We spotted some quite rare plants along the way.
Thanks to the author.

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Toybou
Toybou

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 23, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We went on this hike in fine weather in February. The route was perfectly reliable. We simply followed the GPS. We only came across four people during the whole hike: it really is a peaceful spot. A very gentle climb up to the Arfuyen ridge, where you never tire of taking in the 360-degree views of the Dentelles, Mont Ventoux and the Baronnies. Descent along a long track then fording a small stream. A slightly challenging climb up to the Cyprès des Evêques but nothing insurmountable, followed by the rather spectacular finish at La Pousterle with views over the ridges we’d crossed. A superb discovery! One of the most beautiful hikes I’ve done in the Vaucluse. I didn’t know this route at all and I’ve got just one thing on my mind: doing it again! Thanks to the author!

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Jean-Marie GALMES
Jean-Marie GALMES

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 12, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A group hike.

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BéFiT84
BéFiT84

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 22, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike, even for beginners.
A four-legged companion is no problem.

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User 2135026

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 09, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Great walk with magnificent views
What's more, there are now signs that have just been put up with orange tape along the entire ridge, so it's impossible to miss.

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Sauveterre
Sauveterre

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 08, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Many thanks for this hiking idea. The view is indeed very beautiful!
We found the GPS track very helpful in following the route. We certainly weren't in tune with the details of the description.
But thank you again for doing all that work!

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Loul
Loul

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 22, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful route, especially on the ridge, but the signposting could be clearer (particularly at the bottom of the ridge to reach the valley).

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Jacky Anx
Jacky Anx

Many thanks for your feedback.

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JFFAUGERAS
JFFAUGERAS

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A varied route with beautiful views from the Arfuyen ridge.

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DAN 84
DAN 84

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 17, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

SUPERB 360° VIEW FROM THE ARFUYEN RIDGES.

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Jacky Anx
Jacky Anx

Many thanks for your feedback. Enjoy your hike!

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danysm
danysm

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 05, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent hike from start to finish, with beautiful views. The climb back up is easy and enjoyable.
Thanks to whom? Jacky...

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NOAMCHACHA
NOAMCHACHA

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 04, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Beautiful panoramic views and lovely trails through the woods

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Djak84
Djak84
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 04, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Superb hikes with magnificent views from the Arfuyen ridge. Only the northern section through the woods is slightly less interesting, but the return via the Col de la Pousterle offers a magnificent descent. Worth doing again and again.

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