From Saint-Gens to Saumane via the semi-troglodyte farmhouse at Marculy

de fr

Beautiful paths, sometimes narrow, sometimes wide. Dry stone walls all along the way. Views of the Comtat on one side and the Luberon and the Alpilles on the other. The start of the walk may seem challenging, but it’s fairly gentle after that, although the climb after Saumane may still feel tough.

Details

n°74741747
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.32 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,962 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,952 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,175 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 600 ft
Downloads
Open in the mobile app
Download GPX GPX
Download PDF PDF

Photos

Semi-cave farm
Stony path
Stone wall
St Gens

Description of the walk

Park at the Ermitage car park in Saint-Gens. 

(S/E) Follow the path heading south to reach the Source de Saint-Gens. 

(1) Turn right, heading towards the Rocher des Trois Luisants. The path climbs steeply from the car park, but the sections are well signposted and straightforward. Leave the Rocher des Trois Luisants to one side and continue to the left until you reach the junction with the track of the same name.

(2) Take another track to the right and leave it further on, at the hairpin bend, to reach the watchtower. 

(3) Head straight down towards Saumane until you reach the junction with a track: a steep 600-metre descent winds its way down, offering beautiful views of Vallescure and the surrounding cliffs. 

(4) Follow this track, turning left. 

(5) Keep to the right at this three-way junction, continue straight on at the next junction and begin to negotiate the left-hand bend (elevation 337). 

(6) Leave the track and follow the path starting on the right. Walk round the buildings at La Mondote and head for the superbly restored semi-troglodyte farmhouse at Marculy. 

(7) Resume the route by taking a downhill stony path on the left, and admire the drystone shelters in the surrounding area. You’ll come out onto Chemin de la Tapy. 

(8) Follow it straight on towards Saumane-de-Vaucluse. 

(9) At the entrance to the village, turn right onto Rue des Fontaines and arrive at Place de la Mairie. 

(10) Continue for a few dozen metres, turning right, then immediately turn right onto Montée du Château. Pass the castle and continue along the tarmac road. 

(11) Go straight on along a wide path marked by the two GR® de Pays trails, the Massif du Ventoux and the Tour des Monts de Vaucluse: yellow and red markings. 

(12) Carry on straight ahead, following the markings, until you reach the Piste du Grand Puymians. 

(13) Turn right, then left at the three-way junction about a hundred metres further on. Continue to the junction opposite the quarry and rejoin the tarmac road. 

(14) Turn left, walk alongside the quarry and follow the tarmac road which leads directly to the car park at the hermitage (S/E). 

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 1,280 ft - Car park at the - Ermitage de Saint-Gens
  2. 1 : mi 0.21 - alt. 1,467 ft - Source de Saint Gens
  3. 2 : mi 1.13 - alt. 2,172 ft - Track junction, on the right
  4. 3 : mi 1.46 - alt. 2,100 ft - Watchtower
  5. 4 : mi 2.33 - alt. 1,289 ft - Junction with track
  6. 5 : mi 2.61 - alt. 1,329 ft - Three-way junction
  7. 6 : mi 3.06 - alt. 1,106 ft - Elevation 337, leave the track
  8. 7 : mi 3.34 - alt. 928 ft - Semi-troglodyte farmhouse
  9. 8 : mi 3.7 - alt. 627 ft - Chemin de la Tapy - Intrajat (cours d'eau) - Affluent de la Sorgue
  10. 9 : mi 3.94 - alt. 617 ft - Saumane, Rue des Fontaines
  11. 10 : mi 4.09 - alt. 673 ft - Saumane village, Place de la Mairie - Château de Saumane
  12. 11 : mi 4.42 - alt. 837 ft - Junction, go straight on
  13. 12 : mi 5.09 - alt. 1,089 ft - Junction, go straight on
  14. 13 : mi 5.89 - alt. 1,496 ft - Track junction, on the right
  15. 14 : mi 6.71 - alt. 1,575 ft - Junction, quarry
  16. S/E : mi 7.32 - alt. 1,280 ft - Car park at the - Ermitage de Saint-Gens

Worth a visit

Visit to Le Beaucet.

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.

Downloads
Open in the mobile app
Download GPX GPX
Download PDF PDF

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 1 review
Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
5 / 5
Route interest
4 / 5
godillot1
godillot1

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 06, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely route, but the start is tough without a warm-up. Starting from the castle car park in Saumane, this route would allow you to warm up before tackling the Saint Gens climb.

Machine-translated

Other walks in the area

Walking Double circular route from Saint-Gens to Sénanques

Visorando Member
Double boucle de Saint-Gens à Sénanques
↔13.15 mi ↗+2,628 ft ↘-2,608 ft ◔8h 20 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Le Beaucet (Vaucluse)
Between two important sites of medieval Christianity, this hike promises beautiful views of the magnificent landscapes of the Vaucluse: Dentelles de Montmirail, Mont Ventoux, and the Rhône Valley. The dense vegetation provides shade in summer. Demanding in terms of length and elevation, it is reserved for experienced and motivated hikers. Refrain from hiking in case of rain or threatening storms.

Walking Saint-Gens - Combe de Capellan

Visorando Member
Saint-Gens - Combe de Capellan
↔9.25 mi ↗+1,831 ft ↘-1,808 ft ◔5h 50 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Le Beaucet (Vaucluse)
From the Hermitage of Saint-Gens, this trail climbs back up to the miraculous spring, then winds its way across the plateau along the historic Plague Wall trail and returns via the Combe de Capellan and the holm oak forests of the Monts de Vaucluse.

Walking The Rocher des Trois Luisants

Visorando Member
↔8.09 mi ↗+1,385 ft ↘-1,398 ft ◔4h 55 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Le Beaucet (Vaucluse)
A pleasant hike in the Beaucet area. After the climb to Rocher des Trois Luisants, the walk continues on comfortable tracks offering beautiful views of the Vaucluse Plateau.

Walking A circular between Le Beaucet and Venasque

Visorando Member
Une boucle entre Le Beaucet et Venasque
↔5.52 mi ↗+1,112 ft ↘-1,106 ft ◔3h 30 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Venasque (Vaucluse)
Between Le Beaucet and Venasque, two shaded valleys for a summer hike.

Walking The Vaucluse Mountains - La Nauque

Visorando Member
Les monts Vaucluse - La Nauque
↔7.70 mi ↗+1,647 ft ↘-1,644 ft ◔5h 00 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Venasque (Vaucluse)
A hike with numerous balcony paths and beautiful views. In particular, the balcony path through Combe de Capellan overlooks the gorges.

Walking Short loop in the Monts du Vaucluse

Visorando Member
Petite boucle dans les Monts du Vaucluse
↔6.26 mi ↗+1,253 ft ↘-1,250 ft ◔4h 00 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from La Roque-sur-Pernes (Vaucluse)
A pleasant short hike with magnificent views of Mont Ventoux, the Alpilles and the Luberon.

Walking Around Le Beaucet

Visorando Member
Autour du Beaucet
↔7.20 mi ↗+1,227 ft ↘-1,230 ft ◔4h 25 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Le Beaucet (Vaucluse)
This loop allows you to discover the villages of Le Beaucet and La Roque-sur-Pernes, built entirely of stone, via beautiful paths and trails.

Walking Combe de Capellan

Visorando Member
Combe de Capellan
↔8.88 mi ↗+1,562 ft ↘-1,562 ft ◔5h 25 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Venasque (Vaucluse)
Visit the rocky and airy Combe de Capellan, then the wooded and more humid Combe de la Fontaine du Rupt. Views of the Comtat and, of course, the inevitable Ventoux. At the end, you can visit the village of Venasque, a medieval gem.

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.