L'Arfuyen and Saint-Amand

A very beautiful hike, strangely little known, offering sumptuous views of the Ventoux massif and the Dentelles de Montmirail.

Details

18907488
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 12.69 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 10 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 532 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 533 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 731 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 330 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Depart from Vaison-la-Romaine, heading towards Malaucène. At the restaurant "La Fleur Bleue", take the Chemin de Sublon for about 2 km. Park 100 m before an olive grove on the left, taking care not to obstruct the passage.

(S/E) Head south-west for about 100 metres, then take the small path below on the left to cross the ford. Continue north-east.

(1) Ignore the path on the left that leads to the vineyards and continue straight ahead.

(2) At the three-way junction, keep to the right.

(3) Take the path on the right heading south and turn right again a hundred metres further on. Continue to a fork marked by a cairn.

(4) Climb to the left and reach the summit of Arfuyen at an altitude of 642 metres.

(5) Descend towards the undergrowth until you reach the junction with theGR®4(white and red markings).

(6) Turn right, following the markings towards Le Partifiage.

(7) Leave theGR®and follow the blue markings to the left. Ignore a path on the left and continue to a Y-shaped fork. Turn right and follow a few switchbacks to reach the ridge.

(8) Turn left and head west, staying on the ridge until you reach the cross (732 m).

(9) Turn back to the fork in the path you took on the way there.

(8) Continue straight ahead along the ridge to Pas du Loup at an altitude of 578 metres.

(10) Descend to the left to reach the Cyprès des Évêques junction at an altitude of 514 metres.

(11) Take the path on the right marked in yellow. Stay on the ridge, straight ahead, on the main path. Then, after Le Grieux, at an elevation of 447 metres, turn right to descend into the valley, still on the main path. Join a track at an elevation of 359 metres.

(12) Take it on the left and return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 344 m - Chemin du Sublon
  2. 1 : km 0.61 - alt. 334 m - Junction, straight ahead
  3. 2 : km 1.28 - alt. 333 m - Three-way junction, on the right
  4. 3 : km 1.58 - alt. 384 m - Turn right at the fork
  5. 4 : km 2.12 - alt. 489 m - Cairn
  6. 5 : km 3.9 - alt. 642 m - Arfuyen
  7. 6 : km 4.66 - alt. 537 m - GR°°®°° junction
  8. 7 : km 5.58 - alt. 599 m - Blue markings
  9. 8 : km 6.44 - alt. 684 m - Ridge. Fork in the road (return trip)
  10. 9 : km 7.69 - alt. 731 m - Cross
  11. 10 : km 9.78 - alt. 578 m - Crossroads, on the left - Pas du Loup
  12. 11 : km 10.59 - alt. 514 m - Crossroads. Les Cyprès des Évêques
  13. 12 : km 12.38 - alt. 360 m - Fork with a track
  14. S/E : km 12.69 - alt. 343 m - Chemin du Sublon

 Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 14 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.2 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.4 / 5
Route interest
4.9 / 5
Sherpa64
Sherpa64

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 25, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very nice hike, no problems on the access road.
Magnificent views, I didn't see anyone.
Did the loop at the bottom of the St Amand ridge. Not very interesting, very long from the bottom on a forest path lined with hunting reserve fences, but more shade in summer.
Thank you for this very easy-to-follow and varied route.
Worth doing

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lolorandos
lolorandos

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 06, 2024
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We really enjoyed this hike with our family, including two children aged 10 and 11. The route is varied and offers some beautiful views, particularly of the Dentelles de Montmirail, which are stunning in autumn. We hardly saw anyone else.
Getting to the starting point is tricky, as the road is full of ruts, so be careful if you have a low-clearance car.

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Patrick et Evelyne
Patrick et Evelyne
• Edited:

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 14, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Please note that at the end of the route and at the bottom of the Arfuyen ridge, the lack of markings may cause you to lose your way, particularly when crossing the stream that flows in the valley where the markings have disappeared (in both directions of the hike). It is important to be vigilant when crossing the stream to find a trail that branches off at a 90° angle. If you stay on the main trail (straight ahead), you will arrive (about 500 m further on, near a place called La Ferme du Pommier) at a private property where the owner does not allow hikers to pass. Otherwise, the rest of the hike is very good, with many magnificent views.

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Odile de Champdurand
Odile de Champdurand

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 14, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very pleasant parish specific to Brittany at this time of year, with orchids, broom and other flowers.
Different shades of green blend with the rocks.
A must-see.

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Jean-Marie GALMES
Jean-Marie GALMES

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 04, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A superb hike, with very varied terrain and stunning scenery.

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Marius26
Marius26

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 25, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent hike for those who enjoy beautiful views. The Arfuyen and Saint Amand ridges offer breathtaking views.
A quick note about the description: there is a very well-marked path with good cairns on the left between points 5 and 6, which is not mentioned.

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outteryck
outteryck

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 22, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike with magnificent views of the Dentelles de Montmirail
Be sure not to forget to turn left at point 4.
The climb up to the cross is optional but well worth the detour. However, it's not really a good place to stop for lunch with a view if there are a lot of people around.
Picnics are possible at the top of Arfuyen.

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Cbruno
Cbruno
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 21, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Indeed: a lovely run on 18/12/22. The ford was flooded ☺ = great fun to cross.
At marker 2, it's not so much fun because it's a tough climb, but the views are superb up to marker 5.
Another climb after marker 7 to marker 8, and after that = pure bliss!
The arrival at the antennas = it's the Holy Grail with the view of the Dentelles
The descent from marker 8 to 10 is superb, as is the descent from 10 to 11.
Be careful in winter, from the start to marker 4 and then from 10 to the finish = it's in the shade, but it's fine in summer.

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charrol
charrol

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 01, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very beautiful route, varied and pleasant

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mc.biscarrat
mc.biscarrat

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 20, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful and enjoyable hike with some stunning views. We came across several groups, some of whom seemed a little lost. The weather was on our side and it was a wonderful day. The view of the Dentelles from this side was magnificent.
Thank you.

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ggregg
ggregg

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 06, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Superb hike with beautiful views of Mont Ventoux and the Dentelles de Montmirail. Variation between undergrowth and heath, between trails and paths. Alone in the world throughout the hike. Only crossed paths twice with a young lady coming in the opposite direction who was doing another circular loop via the GR. Possibility of combining this hike with this other adjacent circular loop. Moderately difficult hike, accessible. I recommend it. And if that young lady (dressed in black with a pink watch) recognises herself, please contact me.

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hervevisorando
hervevisorando

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 16, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Thank you for this wonderful hike.
The descent from point 5 is a bit technical.
The description could be improved by referring to the marker posts where they are present. For example, at point there is a "Fréo" marker; head towards Patifiage (it is a yellow marker that you leave at the inverted Y)
Apart from these comments, this is a hike to do before the summer heat sets in.
Thanks again.
Hervé

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ginogi
ginogi

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 05, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Without considering this difficult hike, it is located above the average level, especially when compared to other easier hikes classified as such. There is a steady climb up to the plateau, followed by a somewhat bumpy descent. That is, between points 2 and 4. Then the descent to point 5. All this is not meant to discourage you, but rather to inform you. The starting point is just after the car park, i.e. at the geographical coordinates given. 100 metres immediately to the left. You don't pass the olive trees on the way there, but you will see them on the way back. All in all, it's a very beautiful walk, with a 360° view of Ventoux and, above all, the Dentelles de Montmirail.

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PatGamb84
PatGamb84

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 27, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The start of the hike is not very clear (lack of landmarks), and there is no olive grove on the left?

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