From Sivergues to Vitrolles via the Luberon ridges

Start from the Domaine du Castellas, in Sivergues.

Signposts at major junctions.

Red and yellow markings

(S) On leaving the estate, follow a stony track to the right and uphill. After passing between two rock faces, descend slightly. Continue uphill along the track which runs along the foot of the scree on the right-hand side. The slope becomes steeper as you climb.

(1) At a fork, turn left at a 90° angle onto a faint path (do not climb straight up the gullied slope). Make several switchbacks through the scree. Pass a cistern on the right-hand side and arrive at Pas deis Ensarris.

(2) Take the first track on the left, towards Amourralhadou. Walk along a gently ascending path through scrubland with views of Mont Ventoux on the left.

(3) At a junction (signposted ‘Parking’), turn left. Pass a water tank on the right and walk through the pine trees. Cross the Piste des Grottes on the left and continue straight on. Ignore a path branching off to the left and, after a short descent, arrive at the Amourralhadou crossroads.

(4) Then take the second track on the right, which is quite wide. Climb steadily until you reach a crossroads with an information sign about processionary caterpillars.

No signposting

(5) Take the last path on the right, which starts running parallel to the track before branching off. Climb steeply through woodland, then across open ground. Reach the clearly visible Moure Nègre telecoms tower. Go round the tower on the left to reach a cairn at the foot of the second small pyramid (vast panorama to the south and east).

(6) Then turn left and descend a grassy slope, following the view, towards a junction with a signpost (it is also possible to find a path to the south and follow it to the left).

Yellow markings

(7) At the “Le Moure Nègre” signpost, follow a track to the right towards Basse de Cabrières.

(8) When the track turns sharply left, continue straight on along the ridge path and climb. Descend on the other side and reach Basse de Cabrières.

Red and white markings (rare and faded)

(9) Go straight on towards Coulet Redon and climb the steep slope. Alternate between descents and ascents, following the cairns marking the summits.

(10) At the “Coulet Redon” signpost, continue straight on towards Gros Coulet. Alternate between descents and ascents (cairns). The final, steep descent leads to the “Le Gros Coulet” signpost.

(11) First turn left then right to go round a cistern and follow a track.

(12) As you come out of the left-hand bend, shortly after a “Parking” sign, leave the track and take the ridge path climbing to the right (be careful to spot this turn-off). Further on, head back down to rejoin the track on the left.

(13) Ignore the track and head straight up.

(14) At a large cairn, turn left and descend gently. At the next cairn, turn right and descend steeply.

(15) At another junction with the track (pond), continue straight on along the ridge path and head uphill. Alternate between descents and ascents. Pass a stone wall and descend steeply to the Pas de Marseille.

(16) Continue straight on towards the Coteau de la Combe and climb up to reach a cairn. You will then see two cairns, roughly opposite each other: head for the one on the right. Pass it and descend for a long stretch, first across open ground then through scrub. You will reach the “Coteau de la Combe” signpost, which marks the end of the ridge path.

Red and white markings

(17) Then take the second left, towards Vitrolles, a faint path that quickly gives way to a stony track. Descend steadily and, further on, turn right with the track. After a left-hand bend, ignore a path leading down to the left and continue straight on along the flat. Continue the descent. You’ll come out onto a track; follow it to the left for about a hundred metres.

(18) At the “Les Cours” signpost, take a path on the left running parallel to the track. At the junction shortly afterwards, go straight on and rejoin a stony path heading downhill.

(19) Ignore a flat path branching off to the right and continue straight ahead downhill. Further on, ignore a track on the right. You’ll come to a crossroads on the border between the departments of Vaucluse and Alpes-de-Haute-Provence.

(20) Then turn right at a sharp angle and follow the D33 downhill. Take the hairpin bend to the left with the road.

(21) Shortly afterwards, take a path on the right running parallel to the road. At a junction, go straight on and pass two picnic tables. Stay on the path with the road above on the left. On two occasions, where the original path is too eroded, take an alternative route on the right-hand side.

(22) At the “Les Roumis” signpost, continue straight on towards Vitrolles and head downhill. You’ll come out onto a track; follow it to the left and downhill.

(23) At the T-junction, at the signpost marked "Les Mines", turn right. Pass the signpost marked "Les Ferrailles" and head towards the first houses of Vitrolles.

No signposting

(24) At a junction, go straight on and pass a sheepfold on your right. Ignore a turn-off to the right and turn left onto a small tarmac road.

Red and white markings

(25) At the end, rejoin the D33, follow it to the right and pass in front of an old castle. Continue along the road and you will soon reach the church in Vitrolles (E).

Equipment:
- Hiking boots essential.
- Sun protection recommended depending on the season.
- Bring plenty of water.

Route and guidance:
Follow the route using the Visorando app (recommended) or, failing that, a detailed map (at the very least the one accompanying this description).
Ascent to Mourre Nègre
From (S) to (6), the route alternates between stony paths and tracks and DFCI tracks.
Ridge path
- From (6) to (17), the walk follows mainly the ridge path, which is generally poorly marked and resembles a stony ribbon. The route alternates between numerous ascents and descents.
- A DFCI track runs along the entire northern slope, following the contour lines fairly closely. As this track joins the ridge path at regular intervals, it is possible to take it at points (8), (9), (10), (12), (13), (15) or (16) to reduce the elevation gain, though at the expense of the view, which is then much more limited.
- From May to July, the ridges are grazed by sheep and goats accompanied by their guard dogs. If you encounter them, remain calm and give the herds a wide berth.
Descent to Vitrolles
From (17), the route mainly follows stony paths or tracks. Towards the end of the stage, the descent may seem a bit long.

Facilities along the way:
None.

Accommodation and food on arrival:
Laëtitia’s stopover lodge, 12 Rue de la Mairie, right next to the church (E). Tel: 06 79 81 27 11. Limited capacity: don’t hesitate to book well in advance. Provides, on request, dinner, breakfast and a packed lunch for the next day’s stage.

Hike undertaken by the author on 21 April 2026.

- From (S) to (1) and from (2) to (5), the route is very pleasant and the summit of Mourre Nègre is often in view.
- From the summit of Mourre Nègre (6) to the eastern end of the ridges (17), the route is absolutely stunning and offers sweeping panoramic views: to the north, the Monts de Vaucluse and Mont Ventoux; to the south, the Étang de Berre and Montagne Sainte-Victoire; to the east, the peaks of the Mercantour, still snow-capped or not depending on the season.
- In Vitrolles, the Château du Grand Pré (25) and the charming Église Saint-Étienne (E).