Vaumale valley - Lioux valley

Walk up Vaumale valley along a beautiful trail equipped with climbing aids and then come back down the wilder and less rocky Lioux valley.

Details

64579
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 12.54 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 311 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 311 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 577 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 275 m

Photos

Description of the walk

(S) The car park in the hamlet of La Combe, one kilometre before Lioux, just after the war memorial on your right.

(1) From the car park, walk down the road to the left to get back to the crossroads and the signpost for "Lioux - Le Château-Est."
From there, take the road on the right signposted Château Parrotier. Carry on down this road, which has yellow waymarks, until you reach the crossroads for "Lioux-Le Château." Carry straight on towards "Joucas" and "Vaumale," still on the same road. Follow the waymarks on the road, ignoring a trail heading off to the right, then at the next crossing leave the roads to the right and the left and carry straight on down a wide downhill path. The path will take you to the signpost for "Vaumale."

(2) 5 metres after this signpost, a cairn marks the entrance to Vaumale valley. Turn right and begin the climb up the river bed (dry in June 2014). There are still some traces of old yellow waymarks, but in any case, you need to climb up the valley. During the climb, there are various carefully-placed metal bars and cables to help you cross the more difficult passages.

(3) Just over 3 kilometres further up, at the signpost for "Gorges de Vaumale" leave the waymarks, which head off to the left towards Col de la Ligne, and instead turn right on the GR® trail (Grand Randonnée - Long Hike) (red and white waymarks). The trail winds up through the woods and then comes out on a tarmacked road at Bezaure farm. The waymarks take you past the farm and then turn off to the right on the road alongside a water reservoir and then several cherry trees.

(4) After a descent, the GR® leaves the road and bears off to the left on the Bois de Bourrade trail.

(5) At the signpost for "Bois de Bezaure", take the path to the left which climbs up towards "Col de la Ligne" and "Les Rouvières". The path completes its climb to come out onto a plateau opposite the last cherry trees and a cabin that is occasionally used. Carry straight on along the path, which then takes you down into Lioux valley.

(6) At the gate at the crossing for "Les Rouvières" take the direction of "Lioux" on the right. The path goes down into the valley for 3.4 km and is much less physical than the climb up Vaumale valley.

(7) When you are almost at the bottom of the valley, the waymarks take you off to the left and then come out and lead you around some houses. The path then leads onto the D60A, which you must walk down on the right to get back to the car park (1).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 278 m - Car park in the hamlet of La Combe
  2. 1 : km 2.05 - alt. 279 m - Vaumale beacon. Passage near the - Carlet (rivière) - Affluent de l'Imergue
  3. 2 : km 4.8 - alt. 434 m - Turning right
  4. 3 : km 6.43 - alt. 499 m - Leaving on the left
  5. 4 : km 6.96 - alt. 526 m - Beacon Bois de Bezaure
  6. 5 : km 9.04 - alt. 527 m - Les Rouvières
  7. 6 : km 12.22 - alt. 289 m - Turning left
  8. S/E : km 12.53 - alt. 278 m - Car park in the hamlet of La Combe

Notes

Vaumale valley is equipped with metal bars and cables to help you cross the difficult passages. There is just one place that is a little more delicate.
If you have vertigo above two metres height, consider carefully before going on this walk.

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

4.8 / 5
Based on 123 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.9 / 5
tatischeffj
tatischeffj

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : May 04, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : Not used / Not applicable
Very busy route : No

Combe de Vaumale is excellent – technical and varied – best tackled as a round trip.
Combe de Lioux is uninteresting, and the links between the two combes are pointless and long.

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Emmaaprd
Emmaaprd

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 27, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A solo hike. The first kilometre is on tarmac; once you reach the Vaumale valleys, the change of scenery is striking. You need to be careful, be fairly agile and wear good shoes. There are quite a few ladders to climb; at just 1.60m tall, it’s not always easy when you’re on your own, especially with a drop of over two or three metres below. Once on the plateau, the sun beats down hard, and the descent back down into the Lioux valleys is much easier and far less strenuous.
The path is easy to follow with the description, though it is very rocky.
I wouldn’t recommend this route with a dog unless you can carry it in a rucksack; on the plateau there are quite a few processionary caterpillar nests.

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User 26971538

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 15, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hello everyone,
My mother and I (aged 60 and 30) went on this lovely hike, and whilst we were there, we didn’t notice any missing or loose rungs; the ropes and cables also seemed to be in good condition in the Vaumale valley.
A superb hike! Thank you for introducing us to it.

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Domino77*84
Domino77*84

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 05, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Difficult, even dangerous hike.
Cables are broken and frayed. Ropes are worn! Not very safe!
Over time, the rungs in place have become misaligned. One rung is starting to come loose!
Not recommended for people who are short or not very flexible.
I was scouting the route for a group: I won't be taking them there.

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VU
VU
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 27, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

WARNING!!!
It appears that this route is no longer supervised by any public or private organisation.
The equipment in the Combe de Vaumale is no longer in good condition!!!
The cables are broken or, at best, very worn. The ropes do not inspire much confidence.
The rungs in place no longer correspond to the reality of the terrain. Access to the first rung requires a certain amount of flexibility in the legs...
Nevertheless, if you are physically fit, this route is very enjoyable.
However, it should be avoided after heavy rain as the rock is very smooth and therefore slippery in normal conditions.
The return via the Combe de Lioux is easier, although still physically demanding. But above all, it is a feast for the eyes.
But watch where you put your feet, because you are on the GRP de la Pierre en Vaucluse for a reason.

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JST
JST

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 28, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent, very varied route. The two valleys are impressive and the plateau between them is beautiful.
But in my opinion, Combe Vaumale is more "difficult" than "moderate". Some sections require a level of flexibility that a 70-year-old man, even in good physical condition, lacks.
The route is poorly marked on the ground, so you need to follow the route on your mobile phone to avoid getting lost.
The time is a little underestimated. If you want to enjoy the scenery, you should allow a good five hours of walking.
But it's well worth it!

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jacques rousset
jacques rousset

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 22, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Long approach on tarmac
Between the two valleys, long walk on CFDI track

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Kristel 84
Kristel 84

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 06, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A parish-specific to Brittany, very beautiful walk through the gorges, with ladder passages that are not particularly difficult. The route is 50/50 shaded in the gorges and sunny on the trails.

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bruno buscema
bruno buscema

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 08, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Superb hike! For your information, the rope and rusty cable have not been replaced, but the passage in question is easy without them. Before point 5, stay on the trail and do not follow the path that goes straight through the bushes without a path🤨.
The technical sections of the first combe are enjoyable as the metal arches are cleverly placed. The short steep climb leading to the farm is the only "physical" section; the rest is gentle.
Thank you for this wonderful discovery!

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eaglefoot
eaglefoot
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 24, 2025
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We chose this hike to enjoy the coolness and shade of the Combes during the hot weather. We did it backwards, which is not recommended as the descents in the Combe de Vaumale can be tricky!
No particular problems with the ropes
The hike is very pleasant, I recommend it, but book during the summer as it can be very dark at times

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Gijean
Gijean

The cable and used rope have not been changed,but it goes without a problem.
I'm a senior too, 68 years old😉

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Bonnemine13
Bonnemine13

A very nice, technical and sporty hike in the combe de vaumale, but a rusty cable and a rope need changing. The combe de lioux is wilder, less sporty but just as beautiful. I would classify it as "difficult" rather than "average",

Hello,
Could you tell me if the rusty sectioned cable and a rope in poor condition have been replaced, as I have to lead a group of senior walkers. Thank you for your reply.

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Gijean
Gijean

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 22, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very nice 4-hour hike.
The combe de Vaumalle is magnificent and well equipped for the technical sections, but nothing difficult. Note at the end some slippery rocks due to the night's rain.
The Combe de Lioux is a beautiful walk.
Definitely worth recommending.
I set off at 9am on my own 👍

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Lili rando
Lili rando

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A family tour with 3 children, the youngest of whom was 7... We had a great time. I'll be happy to do it again.
We had a dog (tiny), and his bag was essential for the first 4 kilometres.
Hiking boots recommended.
To be done in dry weather.
Thank you for this route 👌

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bernard coulomb
bernard coulomb

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 31, 2025
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

One of the region's not-to-be-missed hikes, thanks to the originality of the route through narrow gorges and its somewhat acrobatic nature (especially for old tarzans on the comeback trail, as is my case) - the youngsters will only have a disillusioned smile on their faces .... but everyone will appreciate the ambience of the setting.
No problem with GPX.

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