Castor and Travignon

Please note that certain sections require particular attention to navigation; the use of the Visorando app or a hiking GPS is recommended.

To the east of Saint-Saturnin-lès-Apt, take the small road towards Villars/Rustrel and turn left onto the small road signposted ‘les Heaths’. Continue along this small road to the right until you reach the Pas de Léouse, where there is a car park just past a ruin.

(S/E) Start the walk by heading back down the small road to the first junction on the right and follow it for a few metres. The path branches off immediately to the right. It is marked with green dots.
Follow this path northwards then north-westwards, skirting a beautiful estate. Keep following the green dots, ignoring the track on the right opposite the estate. Continue to the next junction.

(1) Turn right. Follow the path which crosses a track and descends to join the^GR® 9.

(2) Take the^{GR® 9}to the left. Pass through the spectacular Portes de Castor, and shortly afterwards leave the^{GR® 9}to take a barely marked climb on the left.

(3) Follow the GPS route carefully as the path is barely visible. This climb crosses a fairly short but steep scree slope where you’ll need to hold on to branches and rocks. Finally, this climb joins a proper path, also marked with green dots.

(4) Take this path to the right. Then leave it to follow a track to the left.

(5) Be sure to follow the GPS route closely, as the track is barely visible and climbs steeply through scrub towards the Piste des Lays, which can be seen above. Just before reaching the track, a path branches off to the right.

(6) Take this well-marked path to the right. Pass close to the magnificent Rocher de la Cadière and continue straight on, descending back down to the^GR®9.

(7) Take the^GR®9to the left. Follow the north-bound^GR®9uphill for quite some time until you reach the junction on the right signposted Travignon.

(8) Ignore the path to Travignon and continue along the main path to the left (north-west), which leads towards the Piste des Lays. As you approach the Piste des Lays, at a hairpin bend to the left, there is a small path on the right in the valley floor.

(9) Take this small path to the right to avoid having to go back down and take a long detour along the track. This path is unkempt but marked in places and very pleasant. Follow the trail carefully. This path approaches the track, which you join on the left in the final few metres through some scrub.
Take the Piste des Lays to the right and follow it until just past the water tank, where there is a path to the right.

(10) Follow this lovely path, keeping well to the right, for quite a while; it is signposted ‘Travignon’. Shortly before reaching the ruins of Travignon, there is a small path on the left.

(11) Please note: the junction is not very visible, so follow the GPS track carefully. Follow this small path until it joins a track. Take this track to the right and you will come to the rain water reservoirs carved into rock at Travignon almost immediately.
After walking around the rain water reservoirs carved into rock, take the well-marked track leading to the ruins of the village of Travignon. Walk through the village until you reach the junction with the^GR®9.

(12) Do not take the^GR®9to the right, but instead take the lovely green-marked path which continues to the left, heading north-east. This scenic path descends gently for a long time, offering superb views. Continue to the first junction.

(13) Take the hairpin bend to the right onto the lovely Combe de Freissinière path and follow it for a very long time through a pretty, bucolic valley. After a long, gentle descent, you’ll reach a V-shaped junction.

(14) Take the left-hand fork towards Ayguier Neuf and, shortly afterwards, join a wide track on the right. Follow this track to the Cabane du Garde.

(15) Leave the track and take the path on the right which passes in front of the beautiful “Cabane du Garde” drystone shelter. Follow this well-marked path, although it diverges from the one shown on the IGN map. Follow the GPS track (close to that on the OSM map) until the next junction.

(16) Take the left-hand track, following either the GPS track or the OSM route. This panoramic path offers spectacular views as it passes high above the Portes du Castor. Although it is poorly marked on the IGN map, it is very clearly visible and descends gently towards the valley, where it joins the^GR®9.
Take the^GR®9to the left and follow it down to a small path running alongside olive groves, which branches off to the right.

(17) Take this path to the right, go round the olive groves and head for the Pas de Léouse and the car park next to the ruins (S/E).

Crossing scree slopes requires good walking boots with deep-treaded soles.
Some scrub requires long trousers and long sleeves.
At least 1 litre of water.

View of the village of Saint-Saturnin-lès-Apt.
The rain water reservoirs carved into rock at Travigon.
The ruins of the village of Travignon.
The Ayguier Neuf.
The warden’s hut.