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Before arriving at Fontaine de Vaucluse, turn right onto the Gordes tourist road and stop at the Font de l'Oule signpost, where there is space for several cars.
(S/E) Take theGR® 6 orGR® 97, which climbs up through impressive rock formations. You will reach a crossroads at the entrance to the Vallon de la Fontaine.
(1) Continue straight ahead on theGR® to reach a spot marked by several large caves. Take the time to go and see them via the small path.
(2) Return to theGR® and continue through the valley. After a few bends and a virtually horizontal path, you will reach a fountain under the rock.
(3) At the Fontaine de l'Oule marker, begin a steeper climb into the Vallon de la Grande Plaine. Arrive at the Lauzas Nord marker crossroads.
(4) Turn left to continue on theGR® via a narrower path. You will soon reach another crossroads.
(5) Be careful here: leave theGR® trail, which turns right, and continue straight ahead. Continue for about 300 metres until you reach a right-hand bend (La Plaine).
(6) At the first open space, in the first part of the bend, turn left onto a narrow path that is not very visible but is marked by a cairn and is in very good condition. Continue straight ahead, ignoring the tracks and forestry work on the right and left. At the edge of the woods, you will reach a new crossroads with a track.
(7) Take the Rocher des Trois Luisants track to the left until you reach the first large hairpin bend. You will arrive at the foot of the watchtower.
(8) Continue straight ahead on the path and pass the fire lookout station. Continue along this pretty path, descending among the rocks and enjoying the splendid views. The path is not always perfectly marked, but it is the oldGR® and it is magnificent.
Follow the trail that runs along the ridge and the valley below on the left. At the small pass before Mourre Pelé, turn left and descend to the bottom of the valley. There are several branches, but they all lead back to the trail that descends to Valescure. Join the track that leads to the Valescure valley and its eponymous house.
(9) Continue along the track and then take the path on the right to reach the Valescure signpost.
(10) Leave the track, cross a barrier on the left to join the pretty path. Climb up the slope that leads to Fontaine-de-Vaucluse. The path is very well marked. At the crossroads with a signpost indicating the direction of Fontaine-de-Vaucluse, turn left and continue along this path which winds through the forest with beautiful views of the valley. You will arrive at the first of the drystone shelters along the path.
(11) Continue down the path. Pass several other drystone shelters, including a very large one that can be visited. You will come to a track at the La Perière signpost.
(12) Continue straight downhill, passing the first houses of Fontaine-de-Vaucluse. Turn right onto the D25 (Chemin de la Fontaine) to reach the roundabout in front of the town hall. Turn left and continue to the crossroads leading to the chasm.
(13) Take the stairs to the right of the entrance that lead up to the castle ruins. Climb up a faint but clearly visible path to reach the castle ruins (which can be visited). Lovely view and pleasant old walls.
(14) Find a wide path that climbs up along the cliffs bordering the chasm. Then descend to return to the initial crossroads.
(1) Take theGR® trail on the right to reach the Font de l'Oule car park (S/E).
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