From Izon-la-Bruisse to Saint-Auban-sur-l'Ouvèze via Perty and Arsuc

Departure from the car park at the town hall in Izon-la-Bruisse. A few metres away, Izon Nature offers unusual accommodation, rooms and table d'hôte meals.

(S) Follow the signs for Montagne de Chamouse, taking the farm track that climbs behind the town hall.

(1) At La Geneste, near an abandoned sheepfold, turn left and follow the GRP® Tour des Baronnies Provençales.

(2) At Col d'Olun, turn right onto the track and follow the signs for Montagne de Chamouse.

(3) At Col d'Izon, leave the GRP® and follow the signs for Montagne de Chamouse.

(4) At Col d'Izon Nord, follow the signs for Les Olagniers until you find a track that descends into the beech forest. The path is not always very clear: use the cairns and the few yellow markings to help you, and stay at the same level. The Visorando app is useful.

(5) At the foot of La Fayet, turn right towards Cabanon Laugier.

(6) At La Farette, follow the signs for Col de Perty. The wide track leads to the pass.

(7) At the Col de Perty, follow the direction of Arsuc along the ridge. You will enter an area affected by a major fire in 2020. Until you leave the ridge before the Col de Chauvac, the signposting is sometimes poor and the cairns are not always well placed, but the atmosphere is magnificent and surprising, between large charred Scots pines and spontaneous regeneration of the forest.

(8) A few hundred metres before the Col de Chauvac, leave the ridge and rejoin a wide track on the left. Descend the track towards Montguers via the Col de Chaluhen.

(9) A few hundred metres after La Condamine, watch out for the path that branches off to the right. Follow it to Saint-Roman.

(10) In Saint-Roman, turn right onto a track lined with lavender fields. Follow the tracks and small roads westwards to the bottom of Saint-Auban-sur-l'Ouvèze.

(11) Just after crossing the bridge over the Ouvèze, turn right and follow the track that climbs to the centre of the village (E).

Accommodation in Izon-la-Bruisse: Izon Nature, guest rooms and table d'hôte meals, unusual accommodation (cabins, tiny houses, rooms).

This hike is best undertaken in April-May-June and September-October-November. In summer, it can be very hot in the Baronnies Provençales, and in winter, some paths may be impassable or snow-covered.

Make sure you take plenty of water with you, as there are no water sources along the route!