Gigondas and the Dentelles Sarrasines

A sensational hike offering sublime panoramic views at the Dentelles Sarrasines.
This hike is a variation of the above, allowing you to bypass the Dentelles Sarrasines via their southern face.
Caution: do not undertake this hike the day after rain or in strong winds.

Details

33746483
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.20 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 15 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 427 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 427 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 599 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 230 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the car park near the Salle des Fêtes: Faubourg des Quatre Maires.

(S/E) Head to Rue de la Libération and follow it to the right.
A few metres further on, stay on this road and ignore the Chapelle Saint-Côme route.

(1) At the next intersection, take the hairpin bend to the left onto Chemin de la Canal and follow the yellow and red markings ofthe GRP® Dentelles de Montmirail trail.
Continue along theGRP® until you reach a junction near the D229.

(2) Leave theGRP® and take the small unmarked but obvious path uphill to the right.
After walking alongside vineyards, continue through the undergrowth, then alongside vineyards again before taking a track on the left (signposted: direction Col du Cayron).
Further on, take a climb on the left and you will come out onto a track. Take it to the right to reach the Col du Cayron.

(3) Take the Dentelles route, marked in blue. A steep climb will quickly take you to the Dentelles Sarrasines.

(4) Be careful here: remain extremely vigilant on this section, which is certainly the most incredible but also the most difficult.
At the signpost, turn left onto the Rocher du Turc and Col d'Alsau route.
Reach the other side of the Dentelles, which is sheltered from the wind, and enjoy the wonderful views before beginning a fairly technical descent leading to a forest track and the Col d'Alsau.

(5) Follow the forest track to the right to reach an intersection with a signpost.

(6) Turn right to reach Rocher du Midi.
At the picnic tables, take the path on the left, which has been converted into steps leading to the Rocher du Midi orientation table. Enjoy the breathtaking 360° panorama here.

(7) Return to the previous intersection.

(6) Take the route on the right towards Gigondas. Continue along the track, ignoring the side paths, until you reach a road and the Dentelles de MontmirailGRP ®.

(8) Take the road on the right and, a few metres later, enter the village of Gigondas, staying on theGRP® trail. Pass the town hall and continue along Rue Eugène Raspail. You will return to the intersection at the start of the route.

(1) Turn left and retrace your steps to return to the car park at the Salle des Fêtes in Gigondas (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 230 m - Parking at the Salle des Fêtes in Gigondas
  2. 1 : km 0.19 - alt. 240 m - Intersection of the circular - Église Sainte-Catherine d'Alexandrie (Gigondas)
  3. 2 : km 0.96 - alt. 266 m - Abandon GRP
  4. 3 : km 2.44 - alt. 398 m - Col du Cayron
  5. 4 : km 2.9 - alt. 501 m - Dentelles Sarrasines
  6. 5 : km 3.9 - alt. 449 m - Col d'Alsau
  7. 6 : km 4.93 - alt. 416 m - Crossroads of - Rocher du Midi
  8. 7 : km 5.22 - alt. 464 m - Rocher du Midi
  9. 8 : km 6.47 - alt. 281 m - GRP
  10. S/E : km 7.2 - alt. 230 m - Parking at the Salle des Fêtes in Gigondas

Notes

Video of the hike at the following link https://youtu.be/jzVosCbda-A

Caution is advised for those prone to vertigo at Les Dentelles.
Walking poles are strongly recommended, especially for the descent between (4) and (5).

Worth a visit

At the end of the trail, there is a botanical trail at the foot of the ruins of Gigondas Castle.
The Sarrasine Tower, 700 m from the Col d'Alsau
Saint Christophe waterfall in Lafare.

Reviews and comments

4.9 / 5
Based on 12 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.9 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
Ratus84
Ratus84

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 11, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

superb

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MathSPC62
MathSPC62

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 31, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Superb hike that takes you close to the Dentelles. Splendid views.
Very well marked in blue.
We did the hike in 2 hours and 45 minutes without rushing. Some sections are a little technical but nothing dangerous if you're careful. The detour to the Rocher du Midi on the way down is well worth it.
A hike not to be missed.

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APOSTROPHES
APOSTROPHES

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 17, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

All clear. Thank you.

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aarwen76
aarwen76

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 08, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Superb views from the top of the Dentelles. The ascent and descent are in the shade. Still best done in the cool of the morning. The site is quite busy. It is still a fairly strenuous hike, so make sure you wear good shoes as there are some sections that require climbing. I did it with my dog without any problems. Clear route.

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Stacysb
Stacysb
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 04, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A superb walk in the Dentelles with magnificent views and some sections to 'climb' which my nearly 7-year-old son loves. Our dog also followed us without any problems

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Randosso
Randosso

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 08, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

The hike was straightforward. Once you reach the top of the Dentelles, the view and the site are magnificent. The hike is enjoyable for someone who is used to it and isn't afraid of a few rocks to climb over, which are a minor challenge but not dangerous. However, I would advise against doing it in wet weather.

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Olivier jerome
Olivier jerome

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 27, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hello
Beautiful hike in the Dentelles Sarasinnes
Magnificent views.
Moderate difficulty.
Wear suitable footwear
Descent may require walking sticks if necessary.
A real treat
Perfect tracks and blue point

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lemerou13
lemerou13

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 19, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very beautiful hike. Some difficult sections during the ascent. Fairly technical descent. Beautiful views throughout the hike.

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rjeanb
rjeanb

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 21, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very beautiful hike, fairly easy

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DGJ
DGJ

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 09, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful hike, done in warm weather, but much of the route is shaded. You need to be in good physical condition and have good footwear, as there are some fairly difficult sections.

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MIKACOLL
MIKACOLL

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 06, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Walk done in strong winds (it was not recommended, but we decided to try anyway), very technical section at the end of the climb and especially the descent behind the Dentelles, to be done with good hiking boots and in good physical condition.

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barniery yves
barniery yves

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 30, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Superb hike, a feast for the eyes, nothing but good things.

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