Combe de Maraval then return via Tête du Gros Charme

A family hike offering beautiful caves on the way up and a stunning view of the Comtat Venaissin on the way down.

Details

3438693
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.37 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 403 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 404 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 833 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 426 m

Photos

Description of the walk

The start is at the bottom of the Combe Maraval. To get there, cross Bédoin and head towards Chalet Reynard, Mont Ventoux D974. At the Lavandes station (petrol station), take the left-hand path and follow it to the forest house. Just before the forest house, turn left, pass the reception of the Bélézy naturist camp and continue along the path for 1 km. Park in the space in the bend.

(S/E) Follow the path north for just over 1 km to see the caves

(1) Continue along the same path until you see the "Rocher du Midi" marker.

(2) Take the steep climb on your left to go around the Tête du Gros Charme. You will arrive at the top of a ridge where you will come to a crossroads marked by a cairn.

(3) Take the path on the left that runs along the ridge. Begin the long descent, which starts as a single track and gradually widens. At the bottom, you will come to another intersection.

(4) Turn left again and walk 100 metres downhill to reach the "Combe de Maraval" marker. Turn left again to return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 430 m - Car park
  2. 1 : km 1.26 - alt. 588 m - Caves
  3. 2 : km 2.31 - alt. 755 m - Rocher du Midi
  4. 3 : km 2.59 - alt. 833 m - Junction, on the left
  5. 4 : km 5.21 - alt. 447 m - Turn left onto the GR®
  6. S/E : km 5.37 - alt. 429 m - Car park

Notes

A hat is necessary to protect yourself from the sun during the descent

Worth a visit

Visit the caves.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 13 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.9 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
User 27731697

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 30, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The route of the hike is very well described by Visorando. The hike is magnificent. As you climb, you discover caves and cliffs in the undergrowth of the Combe de Maraval. Descending after going around the Tête du Gros Charme, the views of the Comtat Venaissin are splendid.

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La Tousque
La Tousque

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 12, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful hike in a steep-sided valley with numerous rock shelters and a few cave entrances (but I didn't venture in), followed by a slightly steep but not particularly difficult climb through the woods to circle the summit of Gros Charne before the very rocky descent and return to the car park.

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regnier_francois
regnier_francois

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 09, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk with beautiful views.

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autrans
autrans

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 19, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Nice hike
Not very easy...
Avoid days when the mistral wind is blowing (as with all hikes in the Ventoux area!)
The easiest option is to park at the Belezy campsite car park

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les MM's
les MM's

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 27, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The first part of the circular is very good, easy, shaded, with many caves that have been used as shelters. The view at the top is very beautiful. It's a shame we didn't find the Belvédère, but we had a picnic at the top in an open space to enjoy the view. On the other hand, I found the second part rather disappointing. The descent is monotonous, steep, with few turns. At the end, we followed the GR, which is better marked and located a few metres to the left of the path. It's a shame we didn't find it sooner.

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Baguenaude
Baguenaude

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 16, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We were surprised to discover how beautiful this route is. The shaded climb through the small oak trees is really pleasant, and the magnificent caves are well worth the walk.
The view from the top is very beautiful.
Be sure to wear good shoes for the many large rocks, and walking sticks will be a plus on the steep descent at the end.
Be careful of the house marked "private property" next to the starting point mentioned in this guide. A lady will greet you with her dogs and unkindly turn you away. You must leave your car before the private property sign and take the Dayanne path to reach the start of the trail.

In short, despite the unwelcoming local reception, I highly recommend this short hike, which is pretty and enjoyable.

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NatureAdventure
NatureAdventure

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 16, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Great hike, just watch out for the rocky and slippery descent – bring walking sticks

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prielle
prielle
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 29, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike, partly shaded, with beautiful caves to discover.
Classified as moderately difficult due to the descent over rocky terrain

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Fannyalicemarie
Fannyalicemarie

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 01, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hello, lovely hike, I would classify it as moderately difficult, especially with the return trip over rocky terrain, and it would be good to mention that walking sticks are recommended

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Totobus
Totobus
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 23, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant circular with a lovely view of the plain on the descent.
The shaded climb with its caves is rather pleasant.
Be careful not to slip at the end of the descent, as the scree can sometimes be "tricky" :-)

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NOUVENE
NOUVENE
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 06, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The climb up the Maraval valley is beautiful... on the way back, there are lovely views of Bedoin and Crillon-le-Brave. The arrival, via the scree slope, is quite tricky... be careful not to slip on the loose rocks...

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darkage
darkage

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 01, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hello,

Thank you for this lovely walk.

A wonderful discovery.

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eaunaturelle
eaunaturelle

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 21, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

After Camp Bélézy, don't hesitate to drive up to the yellow signs (about a kilometre).
the path is pleasant all the way up, sheltered from the wind and very shady. There are numerous caves with stone walls to explore. The paths are very stony on the descent at the end of the route, so a little slippery, and it seems a bit endless, but there is a beautiful view of the plain on the south side. I recommend this hike.

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