Circular route between Rasteau and Cairanne

A hike through the vineyards offering beautiful panoramic views: the Baronnies, Mont Ventoux, the Saint-Amand ridge, the Dentelles de Montmirail and the Comtat plain. This route follows tarmac roads (which make it easier for winegrowers to access their vineyards). In this region, during periods of drought, access to forest trails may be prohibited. In this case, this hike remains accessible.

Details

27254868
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 11.47 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 00 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 249 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 244 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 328 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 156 m
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ District: Rasteau (84110)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 44.23073° / E 4.986656°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 3040ET
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the centre of the village of Rasteau, Place de l'Apparent.

(S/E) Take the road leading to the Rasteau cemetery, following the red and white markings ofthe GR®4. Continue to the cemetery.

(1) Continue on theGR®, passing close to the Chapelle Saint-Didier. Walk along the Combe Drieu, passing between the vineyards to reach a crossroads at the La Montagne landmark.

(2) Take theGR® on the left, continue through the vineyards and arrive at the hamlet of Les Bruns and the Amassat crossroads.

(3) Turn right. Enter the Ravin de la Combe, then continue left to reach Les Combes. Keep left on theGR® and reach the Combes Basses crossroads.

(4) Continue left, still on theGR® trail, and you will soon reach a crossroads at the entrance to Cairanne.

(5) Continue straight ahead to enter the village of Cairanne and reach the church. The village is well worth spending some time exploring, which is not included in the route. Sights to see: the ramparts, the gardens, Saint Vincent Church, Notre Dame des Excès, the Donjon des Hospitaliers and magnificent panoramic views. I did this visit separately, and it is difficult to estimate the time required because you can stroll around, admire the sights, take photos, etc.

(6) After visiting the village of Cairanne, return to the crossroads at the entrance to Cairanne.

(5) Turn right and walk again between the vineyards on Chemin des Girards to reach the crossroads of the hamlet of Saint-Martin.

(7) At the hamlet of Saint-Martin, continue straight on Chemin des Girards until you reach the crossroads.

(8) At Ravin des Serres de l'Amassat, continue straight ahead until you reach a T-junction.

(9) Turn right and cross the Grand Vallon des Chaberttes stream. Stay on this path to return to the Place de l'Apparent car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 224 m - Place de l'Apparent car park
  2. 1 : km 0.26 - alt. 254 m - Rasteau cemetery
  3. 2 : km 2.98 - alt. 325 m - The Mountain
  4. 3 : km 4.29 - alt. 234 m - L'Amassat
  5. 4 : km 5.98 - alt. 168 m - Les Combes Basses
  6. 5 : km 6.25 - alt. 156 m - Crossroads at the entrance to Cairanne
  7. 6 : km 6.67 - alt. 186 m - Village of Cairanne
  8. 7 : km 8.38 - alt. 174 m - Saint-Martin
  9. 8 : km 9.05 - alt. 179 m - Ravin des Serres de l'Amassat
  10. 9 : km 9.76 - alt. 185 m - Carrefour Hameau des Girards
  11. S/E : km 11.47 - alt. 224 m - Place de l'Apparent car park

Worth a visit

(S/E) Some information about the Rasteau appellation

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

4.4 / 5
Based on 7 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
3.9 / 5
rando843063
rando843063

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 24, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant, easy hike. The downside is that there is a lot of tarmac, but the small roads are very quiet.
If you wish, you can picnic on an esplanade with tables and benches located below the church in Cairanne. This hike is best done in winter. I used the app to follow this hike.
There are beautiful landscapes to discover on this hike.

Machine-translated

mmg84
mmg84

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 22, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Just one small criticism: I think you should differentiate between dirt roads, gravel roads and tarmac roads for those who
don't have the app on their phone. Thank you.

Machine-translated

lolopat84
lolopat84

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 22, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

An ideal hike for a beautiful winter day.

Machine-translated

Janpimo
Janpimo
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 11, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hike done on Sunday afternoon. A route through the vineyards, beautiful landscapes over the hills of the Drôme, Ardèche and Dentelles. The downside is that there is a lot of tarmac, but we were warned about this before setting off. Don't hesitate to take a detour to the old village of Cairanne.

Machine-translated

krieger
krieger

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 19, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

It started well because the signage was very good. But then, on the way back from Cairanne, at Coustias, after the right-left turn, I looked for the mountain bike trail... but there were no signs. Even further along the path, there were no signs.
So I also looked for the crossroads to the hamlet of Les Girards (because it is noted to find the crossroads on the itinerary)... didn't see it either. The directions are very good up to point 7 but not after that. I am even unable to give details about the paths we took because we went on instinct and ended up back on the path we took on the way there.

Machine-translated

Pierrelattine
Pierrelattine

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 30, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant, easy hike to enjoy with family or friends, offering opportunities to pause and admire the panoramic views.
It's an opportunity to discover the beautiful and peaceful villages of Rasteau and Cairanne.
Setting off at around 9.30am, you can enjoy a picnic on an esplanade with tables and benches located below the church in Cairanne. Then explore the village and its ramparts.
Back in Rasteau, take the paved slanting street that leads to the church to enjoy the view.
In the village, the Notre Dame des Vignerons chapel was open this time.
At point 7, follow the description carefully, as the directional signs on the pole caused me some hesitation.
Thank you for this route!

Machine-translated

PENEZ PATRICK
PENEZ PATRICK

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 17, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Beautiful views but too much tarmac (more than half the route). Only small roads or tracks and no footpaths.
Lots of straight lines

Machine-translated

Other walks in the area

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.