Around the Aigue Brun

Description

Car park 1.5 km south of the village of Buoux. Just after the Holidays village (abandoned), cross the bridge over the Aigue Brun and park in the first car park immediately to the left.

(S) From the car park, find an unmarked trail that starts along the river opposite the entrance. Head around a ruin and a little further on take the first path on the right that goes back to the road.

(1) Cross the road and go straight through to the second car park. Head up to the upper platform and look for the path that climbs due south into the forest. It soon meets up with a trail marked in yellow/red; turn right on the GRP route Tour des Claparèdes.
Pass under a huge overhanging rock and continue along stone walls to a T-junction.
To the left, it was once possible to visit the Buoux Fort (ruins), but access is temporarily prohibited by a Decree of 1 March 2015.

Continue to the right on the path. When it becomes flatter, past the Serre sign and go straight in the direction of the Vallon de Serre. The route starts to rise again, at times even more steep and arrives at the Vallon de Serre crossroads.

(2) Keep climbing toward Ourillon. When the road makes a left turn, it narrows and the slope becomes more gentle. Ignore the trails to the right and left and then continue straight. Mont Ventoux soon appears on the left between the trees. Go on for a few hundred metres leading to a grassy area and then on to the L’Ourillon crossroads. An extraordinary panoramic view of Mont Ventoux, the Southern Alps, and the Mourre-Nègre comes into sight.

(3) Head left on the GR9 (red/white) in the direction of Ravin de l’Enfer. The path begins along the ridge then, when it starts to head downhill, leave it and go right on a trail. After a steep passage, head through the fence of a paddock (remember to close the gate after passing through). Just after, ignore a path on the left and right (not marked on the map) and then continue on the level path following the markings. Continue on the path to the end of a stone wall.

(4) Turn right onto a wider path, ignoring paths leading off the trail and continue the descent. After skirting a small cliff, at a T-junction, turn right on the path to continue to go down. Virtually at the bottom of the ravine, on an esplanade, follow it left into the turn, passing the trails leading to the right. After the paved section of the turn, 50 metres further down the road leave the trail to the right following the markings.

(5) At the sign for Ravin d’Enfer, continue right towards Sivergues following yellow markings. The trail runs along the Aigue Brun for a good kilometre. At a junction, continue straight towards Sivergues. The trail will then move away from the river and rise up before turning sharply to the right. After a gradual 800 m ascent, the path reaches the foot of Sivergues. Head up opposite on some slab steps passing between the two houses. Turn left behind the house and follow the street that leads to a cross and a small chapel. Continue the street that runs along a picnic area and car park.

(6) At the intersection, turn left on the track to Apt - Barbe Blanche with yellow/red markings. 100 m further on, in a corner, leave the track and continue opposite on a path towards the Aigue Brun. Pass by the path on the left 50 m further on and continue right on a gravel path. Continue on these slab steps and pass by next two trails to the right.

(7) At a T-junction, turn right on the trail and 50 m further on, cross the river from the left over rocks and logs. On the other side, head right and find the remains of an old lock. Continue on a path that goes left and 10 m away take the left path again. The slab steps reappear and lead to a small esplanade. Take the small unmarked trail to the left that leads to a cross in front of a home.

(8) Turn left on this very visible path that leads on staying level, ignoring all the paths leading to the left. This trail continues more or less horizontally, sometimes near cliffs and sometimes at the edge of lavender fields or pastures. After crossing a chain barrier, a drystone dwelling that is in very good condition presides on the right.

(9) Later, at a crossroads, pass by the road leading to Marrenon on the right and go left. Immediately on the left take a path marked with a cairn: a little further on it leads to the red/white markings. Continue downhill following the winding markings that lead to the Chemin de Frau crossroads. Pass by the path on the right leading to a house and turn left towards the Aigue Brun. Cross the river and continue to the l'Aigue Brun junction.

(10) Head right towards Moulin Clos following the yellow/red markings. At the next junction, continue opposite and reach an esplanade in front of the Seguin hostel. Continue left on the road, pass the ruined holiday village and reach the Moulin Clos crossroads. Leave the markings and continue on the road opposite as far as a car park. Across from the car park, do not take the first path that descends to the right towards the Aigue Brun.

(1) Find the second trail to the right headed down to the river, then go left along it to find the car park.