From Vitrolles to Céreste via Montjustin

Start from the church in Vitrolles-en-Luberon.

Signposts at major junctions.

Red and white markings

(S) Opposite the church, turn left, pass the old castle and head up the D33.

Red and yellow markings

(1) At the “Vitrolles” signpost, continue straight on and uphill towards Carbonnel. Take the sharp left-hand bend and continue along the road for a further 150 m or so.

(2) Turn sharply right onto the Roumagou DFCI track. Climb gently.

(3) At the "Carbonnel" signpost, go straight on towards Valat de Jacquas. Descend slightly, then climb again and cross the Piste DFCI du Pissaire on the right-hand side. Descend slightly again and, at a fork, keep right to arrive immediately at the entrance to a private property.

(4) Then turn left onto a stony path towards Vallat de Jacquas. Descend and cross a stream via a narrow metal footbridge. Continue along a path that winds through scrubland. At a T-junction, turn left. Ignore a few paths branching off to the right and you will reach the Vallat de Jacquas signpost.

(5) Continue straight on towards Montjustin, climbing slightly. Join the DFCI track and follow it to the right.

(6) Turn right onto the track and ignore a steep path opposite. Walk for a long while along the track, which climbs gently and steadily as it passes at the foot of wooded hills. Then descend just as gently to the “Ravin du Gancet” signpost.

(7) Turn left onto a path towards Monjustin. Follow this very shaded path uphill; it resembles a stream bed.

(8) When the path becomes too overgrown, climb a short, steep section on the right (trekking poles are useful). At the top, follow a winding, very shaded path to the left (shrubs with moss-covered trunks). Continue climbing gently through more open terrain. You’ll reach a large clearing at the end of which stands the “La Luzerne” signpost.

(9) Then head left towards Monjustin and descend a stony path. Ignore a grassy path on the left and turn right. Walk alongside meadows and note the village of Monjustin, high up on the right. Continue the descent along a stony path with a few bends. Cross a bridge, continue along the tarmac and pass a farm shed on the right.

(10) Turn right, then left with the road. Then climb a long, straight stretch up to Monjustin.

Red and white markings

(11) Turn left, heading towards Céreste via the ridges. Follow a stony path downhill, which offers superb views to the left over the Luberon ridges. At a fork, keep right and head downhill.

(12) At a junction, go straight on, ignoring a path branching off to the left, and begin a relatively steep descent along a slightly sunken track.

(13) At the “La Roque” signpost, go straight on towards Céreste. Walk alongside meadows and fields on your right.

(14) At the “Ravin d’Aiguebelle” signpost, continue straight on towards Céreste, cross a river and climb up a small road. Just before a larger road, turn right onto the Chemin de l’Hubac. Shortly afterwards, turn left onto a path. Walk past a few houses on your left. Further on, continue along a small road.

Unmarked

(15) You’ll come out onto a main road (D41000; chapel opposite) and follow it to the left, towards Céreste. Walk up Cours Aristide Briand, passing the war memorial on your left, slightly higher up. As you approach a nursing home, turn left and you’ll immediately arrive at Place de la République (E).

Equipment:
- Hiking boots required.
- Sun protection recommended depending on the season.
- Bring a supply of water.

Route and guidance:
- After setting off on a road, the hike from (2) to (7) follows mainly a pleasant DFCI track, with a short section on a footpath. From (7) to (9), the route takes a path through dense shrubbery. The rest of the route is mainly on stony paths, with the exception of the climb to Monjustin and the finish at Céreste, which are on roads.
- We recommend following the route using the Visorando app or, failing that, a detailed map (at the very least the one accompanying this description).

Facilities along the way:
None.

Accommodation and catering on arrival:
- Municipal stopover lodge, Rue du Bicentenaire, on the corner of Place de la République (E), to the left of the hotel when facing it. Does not provide meals but has a kitchen available. Tel.: 06 38 38 77 74. In April 2026, €20 per person per night.
- Hôtel Place de la République.
- Several bars and restaurants along Cours Aristide Briand and a chemist’s at its western end. Grocery shop opposite Place de la République.

Hike undertaken by the author on 23 April 2026.

- A pleasant walk between (2) and (8).
- The village of Montjustin (11).
- Superb views between (11) and (12).