Country:
City:
When you arrive at the village of Roche-Saint-Secret-Béconne, park in the large car park right next to the church, at the foot of the community hall.
(S/E) Walk downhill, cross the road to Dieulefit and turn right, heading through the village. Take the small tarmac road, Chemin d’Alençon, on the left, cross the River Lez and carry on.
(1) Turn right at the junction, keep to the right at the Fork in the road, and walk past the Château d’Alençon; stay on this small road, ignoring the road on the left.
(2) Leave the road a few dozen metres after the car park sign and take the path on the left; you can go through the small wire fence and continue uphill. You can get close to the old ruins of the Tour d’Alençon.
(3) Shortly afterwards, turn right onto the narrow path marked in yellow; take care not to slip in places. You can take a short break by the banks of the Lez, as the path runs alongside it.
(4) Head to the left, follow the path uphill, pass the signpost for “La Combe du Four” and carry on.
(5) Don’t be tempted by the narrow path ahead; turn left onto the wide, stony path, which is very steep. This is the most challenging part of the route – take a deep breath, as the gradient is 29 per cent. At the top, you’ll join theGR®429.
(6) Turn right towards the 627-metre mark; the path is very pleasant. Stay on theGR®, pass under the power line and you’ll reach a junction.
(7) At the 587-metre mark, leave theGR® and continue straight on towards the Col de la Ruche.
(8) Turn right onto the shaded path that descends and runs alongside the Ravin de Bramefaim, then you’ll come to the little farm known as La Ruche and the start of the tarmac road.
(9) Follow this road until you reach the Dieulefit departmental road. Turn right and cross the bridge.
(10) A few dozen metres further on, take the small path on the left. Follow this path uphill; it branches off to the left at a 45° angle (do not mistake it for the one immediately after the bridge). Join theGR®9and continue to the right until you reach the ruins of the village of Béconne.
(11) Carry on for about a hundred metres to explore the ruins, then retrace your steps to the Y-junction.
(11) Turn right and you’ll reach a small tarmac road.
(12) Turn right, passing the former Béconne town hall on the D545.
(13) Leave the tarmac road and take the path on your left; it is marked with a yellow line. Stay on thisPR® path.
(14) Take the small path on the left; if you like, stop to admire the lavender fields. Turn right onto the Chemin du Rastelet, and head towards the departmental road, the church and the car park (S/E).
Visorando Member
Moderate 
Local authority
