Circular route between Beaumes-de-Venise and Lafare

This is a half-day hike offering a variety of paths, both in terms of their nature and their exposure. Crossing some of the less frequented undergrowth can lead to surprising encounters (eagles, wild boars, etc.).

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 11.98 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 420 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 419 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 298 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 122 m

Description of the walk

Coming from Beaumes-de-Venise on the D90 towards Lafare, you can park at the waterfall picnic area after the bridge over the Salette, 20 m after the sign for the "Côté Vignes" restaurant.

(S/E) From the car park, take the path heading south. After about 100 metres, turn left onto a wide path leading uphill into the forest. Follow it for 200 metres, then take a path on the right-hand side of the embankment, which leads back south. Ignore several paths on the left and, after a slight descent, you will reach a path at the edge of the vineyards. Follow the path to the left, which quickly joins the GR® de Pays marked in yellow and red.

(1) Continue straight ahead on this marked path until you reach the "La Galinière Sud" signpost.

(2) Leave the GRP® and follow the yellow-marked PR® to the left in the direction of "Lafare". 100 m further on, at the "La Galinière Nord" signpost, continue to the left in the direction of Lafare (still following the yellow markings). Follow the PR® for over a kilometre, passing by an illustrated viewpoint, and arrive at Chemin du Fontvalet. Follow this tarmac road down to the D90.

(3) Cross the bridge over the Rivière la Combe, then carefully cross the road and turn left onto Chemin des Grandes Terres. Follow this path uphill to an intersection.

(4) Turn right and continue along the winding road until you reach a crossroads where you will find marker 21 of an orienteering route.

(5) Take the path opposite, heading north-east. After a small pass, descend to the left towards an open space. Take the path opposite, marked in blue with a few small yellow arrows, which climbs up the embankment.

(6) After about 50 metres, ignore a path that descends to the left. Continue climbing, always taking the left fork at junctions and following the blue markings and yellow arrows. This path forms a circular route and arrives at a junction where you leave the main blue-marked path that climbs to the right.

(7) Continue left, staying at roughly the same altitude, until you reach a steep descent that leads to the car park at the climbing site.

(8) Follow the Chemin du Grand Montmirail to the right (paved at first) and continue until it reaches the Chemin de Durban.

(9) Cross it and take the dirt track opposite that runs alongside a vineyard. After an uphill stretch, the path descends to a crossroads and climbs steeply as it enters a wood. Follow it to the buildings of the Domaine de Durban.

(10) Turn left to reach Chemin de Durban and follow it in the same direction. At the second left-hand bend, you will come to a path marked with a yellow cross and a blue cross, which branches off to the right.

(11) Follow this path down to the bottom of Vallat du Coufin. After crossing a small bridge, the path climbs up the opposite bank. Follow it for about 200 metres.

(12) Turn left and descend towards the Ruisseaux du Vallat des Infernets, which you will need to ford (especially the second one, which you will need to climb up a few metres). Continue on the path that heads east, initially climbing and then remaining on terraces halfway up the slope (watch out for low branches).

(13) 600 m after the fords, the path splits and descends to the right. Keep to the left of the stream bed and follow one of the paths to a large clearing. Continue eastwards and take a path that goes around a vineyard on the right and leads to the D90. Follow it carefully to the left until you reach the waterfall picnic area (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 125 m - Cascades picnic area
  2. 1 : km 0.7 - alt. 157 m - GR de Pays
  3. 2 : km 1.74 - alt. 280 m - La Galinière Sud signpost
  4. 3 : km 3.51 - alt. 148 m - D90
  5. 4 : km 4 - alt. 172 m - Fork
  6. 5 : km 4.54 - alt. 221 m - Marker 21
  7. 6 : km 5.05 - alt. 235 m - Fork
  8. 7 : km 6.26 - alt. 267 m - End of the blue trail
  9. 8 : km 6.7 - alt. 237 m - Clapis climbing site car park
  10. 9 : km 8.3 - alt. 281 m - Durban Path
  11. 10 : km 9.2 - alt. 270 m - Durban
  12. 11 : km 9.6 - alt. 270 m - Fork in the path
  13. 12 : km 10.53 - alt. 181 m - Fork
  14. 13 : km 11.31 - alt. 175 m - Descent
  15. S/E : km 11.98 - alt. 125 m - Cascades picnic area

Notes

Pass near the village of Lafare, where there are water sources.

Worth a visit

Clapis Cliff (Dentelles de Montmirail)

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.

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