La Combe Fréou starting from Font du Pommier

This is a very beautiful hike that will allow you to admire the Vaisonnais region as far as Montélimar to the north, the Dentelles de Montmirail and Saint-Amand to the south. And also, the giant Ventoux, ever-present.

Details

7489547
Creation:
Last update:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.05 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 354 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 351 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 642 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 327 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Coming from Vaison, on the road to Malaucène, just after Le Crestet, turn right after the restaurant onto Chemin de Sublon. Continue along this small road for 3 km. Park in the small dirt car park on your left.

(S/E) Continue south on the road until you reach a crossroads.

(1) Just after the dirt car park, about 50 metres away, leave the road and turn left onto the small grassy path. Ford the small Sublon stream and continue along the path towards the north-east until you reach another crossroads.

(2) Take the path on the right and begin an easy climb to reach another trail junction after exiting the woods.

(3) Turn right for a few metres, then right again at the stream crossing. Then take a wide curve to the right. Continue climbing to reach the bottom of the Arfuyen ridge.

(4) Leave the path and turn left, staying on the edge of the Arfuyen ridge. Admire the valley on your left; the landscape is magnificent. Continue until you reach the paragliding take-off site.

(5) Descend the small, uneven stony path until you reach theGR®4and theGRP® des Dentelles de Montmirail.

(6) Take the red and white markedGR® trail on the right and you will soon come to the crossroads for Pas du Loup at an altitude of 607 metres.

(7) Turn right, still on theGR®, until you reach Pas du Loup, marked La Pousterle.

(8) Pass Pas du Loup and descend to the left, following a shaded path to the crossroads marked Les Cyprès des Évêques.

(9) Turn right and after about 400 m, leave theGR® and turn right again at thefirst crossroads at an altitude of 474 m. Continue downhill and follow a large curve to the left to reach the road. Turn left and you will quickly come to the crossroads you passed on the way out.

(1) Continue straight ahead on the road and follow the same route as on the way there to return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 343 m - Small car park
  2. 1 : km 0.13 - alt. 345 m - Crossroads of the loop
  3. 2 : km 0.62 - alt. 333 m - Trail junction
  4. 3 : km 1.21 - alt. 329 m - Trail junction
  5. 4 : km 2.12 - alt. 483 m - Arfuyen ridge crossroads
  6. 5 : km 3.9 - alt. 640 m - Paragliding site
  7. 6 : km 4.67 - alt. 537 m - GR4 - GRP
  8. 7 : km 5.6 - alt. 599 m - Crossroads towards Pas du Loup
  9. 8 : km 6.04 - alt. 579 m - Pas du Loup
  10. 9 : km 6.83 - alt. 514 m - The Cypresses of the Bishops
  11. S/E : km 9.05 - alt. 343 m - Small car park

Notes

Wear sturdy footwear, as the paths are sometimes rocky and uneven.

Worth a visit

Admire the Ventoux, the Dentelles de Montmirail and the plain stretching as far as the eye can see to the north.

 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

4.4 / 5
Based on 22 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.1 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.1 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
Francine84
Francine84

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 16, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

No difficulty reaching the starting car park because the path has been resurfaced.
A beautiful loop with superb views. The climb is steep and sustained, but the scenery is well worth the effort. Be careful not to miss the fork at point 4.
Don't underestimate the difficulty of the steep climb through the rocks from point 5 to point 6. But by being careful and taking your time, everyone made it 😊.
Thank you for sharing.

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User 15738027

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 14, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A circuit with no difficulties other than the often rocky paths: successfully completed by a 13-year-old hiker who grumbled on the climbs and squealed on the descents – however, there were some "gentle" paths from time to time that allowed us to stop concentrating on our feet.
The spectacle of the wide open spaces was well worth the effort: it was splendid – especially on the ridges and above the Pas du Loup, with the foothills of Suzette and its vineyards, Ventoux and Dentelles on one side, and the Baronnies and Vercors in the distance on the other. Come when the sky is clear
⧏BR/⧐In addition, we were delighted by the changing vegetation, sometimes pine forest, sometimes heath, sometimes tunnels of deciduous trees, and the varied geology, the numerous insects (praying mantis season), and the reassuring presence of butterflies.
We were a little concerned when we heard gunshots not far away and made a quick U-turn to find the path we had started on, which was really not far from the hard shoulder/car park where we had parked - below the main path, on its left.
Finally, it should be noted that our small city car, although low, passed without any problems; you just have to drive slowly over the water crossings. Thank you to the author, it was a wonderful discovery.

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Furdan84
Furdan84

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 26, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful 3-hour hike. A challenging climb, partly shaded, up the Arfuyen ridge. Magnificent views from Arfuyen (642 m) over the Ouvèze valley, Crestet, Vaison-la-Romaine, Malaucène, the St Amand ridge with Suzette and the Pas du Loup, and Mont Ventoux in the distance.
Alternative route: I chose to start from Les Cyprès des Evèques (descent to Font du Pommier then climb to Les Crêtes
Thanks Jacky

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MathSPC62
MathSPC62

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 04, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike with spectacular views of the Dentelles de Montmirail.
No particular difficulty, except that you need to be careful on the descent.

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Marc Vandevelde
Marc Vandevelde

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 15, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The small road to the starting point is very narrow and, especially in the second part, in poor condition. Take care! A beautiful hike, especially the views from Arfuyen and the trails towards the Pas du Loup. The descent is a bit monotonous.

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Jacky Anx
Jacky Anx

Thank you for your encouraging feedback

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DJV
DJV

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 11, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent, well-shaded walk.
The access road to the car park is bumpy.
Car park 3 km after leaving the Malaucène Crestet road

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Jacky Anx
Jacky Anx

Thank you for your interesting feedback

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Sauveterre
Sauveterre

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : May 07, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Thank you for this pleasant tour. Just a few additional details:
- when leaving Malaucène, note that the restaurant is called "La fleur bleue" and turn left in front of the restaurant as indicated.
- continue straight ahead on this small road, pass the equestrian centre, pass house numbers 1420 and 1433, continue after a sharp bend to the left (the road is not very good) and after 3 km you will arrive at the small dirt car park on the left as indicated.
NB: if you miss the small path 50 metres on your left after the car park for the start, you will come across a signpost on your right indicating the Cyprès des Eveques. Either do the walk in the opposite direction or turn around...

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Jacky Anx
Jacky Anx

thank you

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François Moulin
François Moulin

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 03, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Lovely walk

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Jacky Anx
Jacky Anx

Thank you for your encouraging feedback. Kind regards

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Delphinet
Delphinet

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 01, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

This is one of my favourite walks in the area, with varied views of the mountains further north, Mont Ventoux and the Dentelles de Montmirail.
It's magnificent with the autumn colours.

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Jacky Anx
Jacky Anx

Thank you for your lovely feedback!
Kind regards

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Wjj
Wjj

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 21, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hello
A very beautiful hike with magnificent scenery as you reach the Arfuyen ridge. Ventoux, Malaucene, the St Amand ridge and the Pas du Loup.
Highly recommended
Best regards
Wjj

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