Col Flachet from Nyons

Departure from the town centre, from the Nyons Tourist Office, Place de la Libération.

(S/E) Head towards Gap, cross the bridge over the Ouvèze and, at the roundabout, turn left onto the D94.

(1) After the tunnel, turn right towards Les Barons Perchés (Route des Rieux) and arrive at a three-way junction at numbers 282 and 320.

(2) Turn left downhill onto Chemin du Crapon, follow it along the Eygues river until you reach a bridge on the left.

(3) Take this road and continue uphill to the village of Aubres.

(4) At the roundabout, turn left onto the D94 towards Nyons and continue until you reach a fork with a small square just after a bridge.

(5) Turn right, then right again, cross the bridge and continue along Chemin des Flachets towards Les Faviers. Follow this small road for several kilometres. It is a dead end with little traffic and climbs up the valley.

(6) At the end of the tarmac, before the farm, take the dirt track that climbs towards the Col du Flachet (mountain bike trail 15). With a bit of luck, the goats will be there to cheer you on. There are a few steep climbs, but nothing insurmountable.

(7) At the Col Fachet, the dirt road turns right before starting the descent. Enjoy the view.

(8) Be careful, the descent is quite steep and the path is uneven (stones and roots). Don't panic, just take it slowly.

(9) At the road, continue left (Route de Combe Sauve), straight ahead until the intersection with Route des Eydemesses and its calvary.

(10) Ignore it and continue to the right until you reach the D538, which connects Nyons to Valréas (Route de Montélimar). Cross it carefully, climb up the path opposite and join the old railway line that runs behind the industrial estate.

(11) Turn left onto the wide gravel path and continue until you reach a road.

(12) Turn left and right, and continue along the road until you reach a crossroads.

(13) Continue straight ahead on Avenue de Venterol, downhill to Nyons. At the roundabout, continue straight ahead and turn right onto Rue des Cerisiers, just before the supermarket.

(14) Take this road and follow it downhill to the end.

(15) At the stop sign, turn left and then right, and follow Rue Georges Croiset to the embankment.

(16) Turn left (Promenade de la Digue) and continue to the roundabout. Turn left and quickly join Place de la Libération (S/E).

(15) You can return to the starting point by turning left and continuing straight ahead.

After (5), at the four-way intersection, you can take a short detour to the right onto Chemin de la Cascade to see the waterfall (in spring).