On the way to the Grand Montagne

(S/E) Starting from the square in Rustrel (parking available a little further down), head up the Route d’Apt to the hotel, turn left, then immediately right to reach the church (with its pretty bell tower). Turn left towards the swimming pool and the cemetery.

(1) At the junction after the swimming pool, turn right, then immediately left, and finally turn right towards the entrance to the LSBB site (military estate – no public access).

(2) Take the path branching off to the right into the Grand-Combe and follow the PR® markings (yellow line) to the signpost: Grand Combe.

(3) Take the path that climbs to the left towards the Chemin des Quentins.

(4) At the cairn, ignore the branch of the path leading off to the left and continue to the right, following the path marked with a yellow line.

(5) Leave the marked path that passes through a gate and continues through the pastureland of the hamlet of Les Quentins (or Quintins, depending on the map version).
Do not go through the pastures, but follow the fence to the left and climb straight up to the top of the hill. Follow the grassy path as it zigzags slightly between the copses until you reach the road.

(6) Follow it to the left for a few hundred metres until you reach a junction with a cross-path, which is more visible on the left than on the right. NB: this road is extremely quiet, as it leads only to the LSBB site, located at the end of Gallery C.

(7) Take the grassy path (barely visible) that branches off to the right, which quickly becomes more visible and stony. It leads to a paragliding launch site, from where you can enjoy a magnificent view of the Apt plain and the Luberon range.

(8) The path turns into a narrow, very stony track that is sometimes quite steep. Ignore all paths or tracks branching off to the right. The route reaches (another) road, just as deserted as the previous one (it leads to an isolated house and the LSBB’s emergency well).

(9) Two options:
- take the road downhill to Rustrel cemetery, where you can turn right and rejoin the route by passing in front of the village hall. There are lovely views of Rustrel from this little road.
- Cross the road and take the path leading down towards Rustrel (following the suggested route).

(10) At a place called Gibas, carry on straight ahead. The route passes in front of Rustrel Castle (village hall and lodge). The square is about a hundred metres away (S/E).

No benches or picnic tables along the route.
Grocery shop, bar, restaurant and hotel in the centre of Rustrel.

Rustrel: the Provençal Colorado.