The walk starts near Gordes (listed as one of the most beautiful villages in France) and passes through the Véroncle gorge to Murs and its castle.
A very pleasant, energetic walk in the ravine of the Véroncle gorges, discovering the remains of old mills from different periods along the way.
There are a few ladders and ropes, and an old sluice shaft that cannot be avoided.
From the starting point by the road, head north towards the mouth of the valley and then to the gorges following a winding track. (1) After a slight rise, bear right as soon as possible to walk along the riverbed. Follow the riverbed to a section equipped with a ladder and follow on.
From this point on, follow the waymarks (blue dots). You'll reach the first site of a mill's ruins very quickly, then continue through the bottom of the gorge. The route is very easy, since following the riverbed, you can't get it wrong. The walk continues past a succession of cauldrons, cairns and mills.
(2) After a fairly large sinkhole filled with water, the walk seems to come to an end at the remains of the last mill. Look carefully to the left, along the wall. The old penstock shaft is still there with a length of rope to help you crawl through and reach the top of the mill. The path continues past some dammed-up ponds and to a secondary road. The pretty village of Murs comes into view and is the finishing point of the walk.
The sequence of features in the gorge:
- moulin des Grailles
- moulin Cabrier
- moulin Jean de Mare
- moulin du Puits de Cata
- moulin de la Charlesse
- moulin du Dévissé
- moulin des Étangs
- barrages des Étangs
Waypoints :
D : km 0 - alt. 206m - Véroncle (rivière)
1 : km 0.34 - alt. 223m
2 : km 3.85 - alt. 420m
A : km 5.83 - alt. 502m
N.B. There is a risk of getting wet feet in places.
No equipment needed.
The sluice shaft may obstruct some hikers.
Visorando and this author cannot be held responsible in the case of accidents or problems occuring on this walk.
Gordes Village, which is listed as one of the most beautiful sites in France (close to the starting point) and Murs at the finishing point, with its castle and old centre, are worth a visit.
Global average : 4.67/5
Number of opinions : 1
Description quality : 5/5
Routemap quality : 4/5
Walk interest : 5/5
Global average : 4.67 / 5
Date of walk
: 21/05/19
Description quality
: Very good
Routemap quality
: Good
Walk interest
: Very good
Great walk and views. The problem is getting back to the car. We hitched to gordes and then walked down the road to our car.
The route leads up the Véroncle canyon then down the south-facing slopes of the Monts de Vaucluse.
Loop around Gordes and its dry stone dwellings, through the valley of Sénancole and its unique Sénanque Abbey.
Lovely hike without much difficulty. After climbing uphill for just under a kilometre, just enough time to reach an altitude of 700 m, where the the panoramic view of Lubéron with its lowlands and further below the valley behind Murs, opens up to you. Just for your enjoyment, this view will last for more than 4 km. The majority of the circular hike is through forest paths.
Circuit around Lioux returning through the Madeleine cliffs, with fine views of the Vaucluse ranges.
Walk up Vaumale valley along a beautiful trail equipped with climbing aids and then come back down the wilder and less rocky Lioux valley.
A short trail to discover the hidden attractions of the western part of Cabrières d'Avignon: olive groves, vineyards, hills, cedars, the Plague Wall (the "Mur de la Peste")
A short trail to discover the hidden attractions of the upper part of Cabrières d'Avignon: the distinctive architecture of the village houses, porticos and dry-stone walls, fountains and wash-houses, the cedar forest. It also includes Léopold Truc's "paradise", stone shelters ("bories") and olive groves.
A demanding route that climbs up to the crests above Fontaine-de-Vaucluse, where you will have unrivalled views.
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