Castellet walks

This circuit leads to the top of Mourre Nègre, the highest point in the Luberon (1,115 metres), from the north, via a series of detours. The climb is gradual. Beautiful view from the summit. The descent also offers beautiful panoramic views but requires good footwear on a stony path.

This hike takes you to the highest section of the Luberon ridge. 360° panoramic views. The route is often shaded by holm oak forests and some beautiful pine forests, which is pleasant in hot weather. Several open sections offer views to the south or north. This very natural hike is fairly easy, except for the slightly significant elevation gain, but this is intentional, intended for those who are not afraid of a little effort.

The Mourre Nègre, the highest point in the Luberon mountain range, offers breathtaking views from its crest, stretching from the Étang de Berre to the Southern Alps and including the Sainte-Victoire and Mont Ventoux peaks. On the way down, passing through the Vallon du Roumi, you can get close to the ruins (currently being restored) of the ancient Château Saint-Pierre and the adjoining chapel of the same name.

Short path to access Mourre Nègre via the shaded slopes of the northern side of the Luberon.

A very beautiful walk starting from the pretty little village of Saignon.

A beautiful hike that takes you to the hilltop village of Saignon via old mule tracks through the woods and fields. The Saignon rock offers an incredible panorama of the Apt valley, the Monts de Vaucluse and Mont Ventoux.

An easy circular offering beautiful panoramic views of the Luberon and the Provençal Colorado.

This walk begins with a refreshing stroll along the Aiguebrun, then climbs up to the ridge of the massif via the Petarelle valley. The descent is along a path that passes through the Rocher gorge. The landscapes are splendid and peaceful. Throughout this hike, you will encounter numerous vestiges of a time when this mountain range was a place of life and resources. Best done in spring or autumn.

This second stage is both long and superb! First, you climb the highest point of the Luberon, the Mourre Nègre, alternating between steep paths and gently sloping tracks. Then, you follow the ridges from west to east, always on open terrain with sweeping panoramic views. The (long) descent to Vitrolles is shaded.

A pleasant route along the Aigue Brun, a tributary of the Durance, which over the years has wound its way between the two Luberon mountains, the Grand to the east and the Petit to the west.

A round trip to the highest point of the Luberon mountains, from Cabrières-d'Aigues.

This easy hike can be enjoyed in any season. The blue of the lavender gives way to the warm tones of autumn or the green colours of spring. Along the route, you will discover hidden drystone shelters or majestic structures built in the middle of fields. You will alternate between small paths in the undergrowth and paths through fields offering magnificent views of the Luberon mountain.

A beautiful walk in the Grand Luberon with the Mourre Nègre, the highest point of this massif, as your destination.

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.

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 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 magnificent hike with some very pretty views.

A short, varied hike that alternates between beautiful views, tracks through the heath and the human-scale escarpments of the Luberon.

This circular loop offers beautiful views of Mont Sainte-Victoire and the Durance valley along well-marked and varied paths.

Walk through the Mourre-Nègre forest leading to the Luberon ridge. Beautiful view of Mont Ventoux.Descent through a pretty valley.

This long circuit allows you to discover two of the most beautiful valleys on the southern flank, the ridges and the highest point of the Grand Luberon, as well as the picturesque villages of Vaugines and Cucuron.

A loop around the green valley of the Aigue Brun, a permanent stream in the Luberon, enclosed by imposing cliffs, passing through Sivergues and the Baume de l'Eau on the way back.

This pleasant walk will allow you to discover the beautiful village of Sivergues and its surroundings while enjoying the coolness along the Aiguebrun and the magnificent site of the Buoux cliffs. It can be done in all seasons and is accessible to all.

A loop that takes you to the hamlet of Seguins along the ridges of the Grand Luberon through Sivergues and Chastelas.

Start from the Mirail Spring and climb to the foot of the Luberon to enjoy a beautiful view at the Bastide du Bois. The panorama in an anti-clockwise direction offers views of: - mourre Nègre. - the Bonde lake. - the Pays d'Aigues and Pertuis. - the Étoile mountain range and Sainte-Victoire.

A walk on the southern slopes of the Luberon above Cucuron. An easy route that includes a visit to the two very pretty villages of Cucuron and Vaugines.

A short loop from Buoux follows a balcony path above the Aigue Brun valley and returns along the stream.

This hike starts in the village of Buoux, in the heart of the Luberon massif, and takes you to the banks of the Aiguebrun, at the foot of Fort de Buoux (open to visitors), then through the woods to the impressive cliffs of Buoux, world-renowned for their climbing sites. Once at the foot of these impressive walls, you will walk around them and then along the top, enjoying some breathtaking views of the Vallon de l'Aiguebrun, before returning leisurely to the village.

A lovely hike along the Luberon ridges, often through woodland with views on both sides. Views of the Pre-Alps and the Vaucluse mountains during the first part and of the Aigues valley and the Durance valley and beyond, weather permitting. A few kilometres on the DFCI track overlooking the valleys, but the view is well worth it.

Wooded areas and panoramic views punctuate this route north of Vitrolles-en-Lubéron

A beautiful hike that will allow you to discover the surroundings of Rustrel's Colorado.

The Luberon massif, whether the ‘small’ or ‘large’ Luberon, is mainly forested.It is only from an altitude of 1,000 metres that the forest gives way to open areas offering a 360° panoramic view of the entire region, provided you are on the ridge.Starting from the Col de l’Aire Deï Masco at 700 m, between Céreste-en-Lubéron and Vitrolles-en-Lubéron, the route heads westwards to tackle the first two peaks of the Grand Lubéron, both over 1,000 m in altitude. From there, the view is magnificent, both to the south and to the north.As an added bonus, there’s the signal at the summit of Mourre Nègre on the western side.Whilst the climb along the GR® on the way out may leave you feeling there’s no hope of ever making it, the reward is complete after just 4 km.On the return journey, the suggested route follows the track, which is easy, open and offers some lovely views to the south at the start of the descent.The fittest walkers will probably not hesitate to continue along the ridge to Mourre Nègre… but not on a scorching hot day!

A short hike connecting and exploring two pretty Provençal villages. Vaugines was made famous by the film "Manon des Sources", some scenes of which were shot in the church square, lined with hundred-year-old plane trees. Cucuron, considered one of the most beautiful villages in Provence, has preserved its beautiful ancient heritage, built on two hillocks topped with keeps.

This third stage takes you through the forests on the southern slopes of the Grand Lubéron. From Cucuron, the route climbs gently northwards across fields, then rises steeply up the wooded flank of the Montagne du Grand Lubéron and, following various valleys, reaches the bare ridge at the small pass of Basse Cabrière, east of the Mourre Nègre, the highest point of the massif. It winds along the ridge and, at its end, drops down the northern slope, then, skirting Mont La Grand Colle, returns south via the Vallat de la Combe d’Apt, before reaching Vitrolles-en-Lubéron.

This is one of my favourite hikes in the Grand Luberon, and you can easily vary the route along the summit. This hike takes you to the summit through several valleys, offering superb views in places. The descent on the oldGR®®9trail is just as interesting for its many views. (TheGR®®9route has now changed slightly.)

Circuit around the Aigue Brun to see the different aspects of this valley nestled at the foot of the Luberon.

Start the walk with a visit to the unmissable Colorado Provençal, then take a stroll through the hills in the triangle formed by the villages of Rustrel, Gignac and Caseneuve to admire the lavender fields and enjoy a beautiful view of the imposing Château de Caseneuve and the Grand Lubéron.This walk is a less tarmac-heavy alternative to the ‘Visit and Tour of the Colorado Provençal via the Ridges’ (official route)Best done early in the morning, in summer and in fine weather to make the most of the colours of the ochre cliffs and the lavender.

The hike begins with a visit to the Colorado Provençal Belvédères trail (pedestrian rate), a listed site managed by the Colorado de Rustrel Association, and continues with a tour of the Colorado via the ridges (GR®) to discover views of other ochre quarries. The hike reveals all the nuances of ochre colours in these former open-air quarries.Please note! The Mille Couleurs car park is reserved exclusively for visitors to the two marked trails managed by the Colorado de Rustrel Association for a limited period of approximately 3 hours. If you wish to hike the Tour du Colorado via the ridges, you must park in the village and pay the pedestrian entrance fee for the Belvédères trail.

The hike reveals all the nuances of ochre colours in these former open-air quarries. Paid parking, giving access to the trails to all occupants of the vehicle. There is a pedestrian rate, if you do not use the car park, which allows you to obtain the leaflet with the map, the history of the site and the code for the mobile discovery app. Please note that the Milles Couleurs car park (paid) is only accessible to visitors to the two marked trails managed by the Colorado Association of Rustrel.

The final stage of this route is long and varied. The first section takes place on the plain at the foot of the Luberon ridges, which were traversed in the opposite direction during the second stage. We then gain altitude, climbing successively to the villages of Glorivette, Castellet-en-Lubéron and Auribeau, the latter two boasting a rich heritage. We then descend all the way, passing through the beautiful village of Saignon along the way.

A walk in the Luberon that includes a visit to the beautiful village of Viens, some of its hamlets and chapels. Views of the ochre cliffs of Rustrel and Gignac, beautiful trails and forest passages. Geological curiosities (slab with footprints).

Route around the village of Montjustin. Magnificent views of the Grand Lubéron and the Encrême valley.

A beautiful walk in the hills above Rustrel offering magnificent views of the Colorado Provençal.

A short, easy 2-hour walk starting from Viens in the Luberon. Beautiful views of the Luberon geological reserve.

La Grand Montagne overlooks Rustrel from a height of around 650 m. The army built several tunnels there, which are now used as the Bas Bruit Underground Laboratory. This walk takes you on a grand tour of these hidden treasures, offering stunning views of the Luberon mountain range, the Apt plain, its vineyards, lavender and olive groves, and, of course, the many ochre quarries stretching from Gignac to Roussillon.

An easy hike from Céreste to the Priory of Carluc, along farmland, lavender fields and oak woods.

This fourth stage begins with a route halfway up the wooded slope of the Vallat de Pissaire before entering the Ravin du Gancet and then crossing the Aiguebelle valley to reach the hilltop village of Montjustin. The route follows the ridge of the hill separating this valley from that of the Encrême and descends to reach Céreste, situated at their confluence. It crosses the remarkable Pont de la Baou before revealing, nestled in the woods, the medieval Priory of Carluc. It climbs the side of the valley and swings over to that of the Grand Vallat, then ascends its sunny slope towards Sainte-Croix-à-Lauze, from where it reaches the top of the Cavalon valley before descending it to reach the village of Oppedette.

A hike with two circular loops, combining pleasant forest trails with a stroll through the narrow streets of La Bastide-des-Jourdans to discover its rich heritage: ancient gate, fountain column, church, old castle, tower,...

The third stage is the shortest of this route. After a very pleasant walk along a track at the foot of wooded hills, we take a narrow path that allows us to cross from the southern to the northern side of the massif. We then climb up to the pretty village of Montjustin, before descending via a ridge offering superb views.

Wild and difficult to access gorges, between 150 and 200m deep, very narrow in places, only a few metres wide. The descent of the Karstic Cave is very well equipped but tricky to navigate.

A walk through the Provençal countryside in the magnificent landscapes of the Luberon Regional Nature Park. This route, linking two typical villages in the Pays d'Aigues, follows unmarked paths, often through woodland and away from any traffic. The landscapes are varied and reflect the richness of the flora and a past that can be glimpsed. Please note: follow the directions carefully; using a GPS device can provide additional safety.

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.

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 beautiful loop around the Calavon Gorges from the village of Oppedette.

Discover the villages of Oppedette and Vachères, the Saut du Moine waterfall, and sweeping panoramic views of the Luberon, the Alps...

This fifth stage takes you on a journey of discovery through the splendid Gorges d’Oppedette and, once past the Chapelle Saint Ferréol, visits the remarkable medieval village of Viens with its maze of narrow streets marked by the passage of centuries, before crossing the gleaming ochre landscapes of the Colorado de Rustrel, notable for its canyon-like scenery and fairy chimneys reminiscent of John Ford’s Westerns. The route reaches the hilltop village of Villars before continuing on to Saint-Saturnin-lès-Apt.