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Park in the Bacchus car park. The other two car parks, closer to the town hall, have limited parking times.
(S/E) From the car park, walk back up towards the village centre.
(1) In front of the town hall, turn right to follow the GRP® des Dentelles de Montmirail.
(2) When the Chemin des Dentelles turns left, stay on the GRP® which continues straight ahead and descends to the left at the next fork. After crossing a stream and turning right, climb straight up the GRP®, also marked VTT 3 4 5, which enters a pine forest. Ignore the various paths branching off to the right and left.
(3) At the crossroads on a flat section, leave the GRP® and climb left onto the wide path marked with a cross. At the next crossroads, descend opposite to a building below.
(4) Continue downhill opposite, between the vineyards, on a wide farm track (shown on the OSM map, this avoids a very rough section in the undergrowth). Go around the vineyard on the left uphill and cross the small embankment at the edge of the vineyard to rejoin the hiking trail. Continue right on the path, which becomes a single track, going up and down several times in the undergrowth. Ignore a path on the left and continue to the foot of the Sarrasine Tower. Caution: danger! Access to the ruined tower (a former 12th-century signal tower) is very difficult and the stones of the building are unstable.
(5) Join the forest track by climbing up to the left in a hairpin bend.
(6) Reach the signpost for Col d'Alsau. Turn right and take the stairs up to the Clapis mountain range. The access path starts by climbing and passing over rocks before levelling out and following the side of the mountain. View of the Dentelles Sarrasines through the vegetation. Numerous trails lead up to the rocky slopes of Grand Montmirail on the right or down to the vineyards and Vallat de l'Aiguille on the left. Old blue and yellow markings help you stay on track. At thefirst fork, take the trail on the left. Then ignore two trails on the left and one on the right. As you cross a scree slope, the view opens up onto the Clapis mountain range and Mont Ventoux.
(7) A little further on, the view of the Clapis and Mont Ventoux becomes spectacular. This will be your landmark to follow to stay level and on track, amid the paths that go up and down. First, keep to the right on a slight incline to keep the Clapis, which hides Mont Ventoux, in sight, then start to go around the Clapis to keep Mont Ventoux in sight. Then begin a descent that curves to the right. You will come to a wooden post located in a slight hollow, to the right of the Clapis, facing Mont Ventoux.
(8) At this old signpost with no directions, continue straight ahead on a path that leads to a terrace lined with rocks, facing the climbing routes on the Clapis cliff.
(9) Spectacular panorama from left to right: the Dentelles Sarrasines, the Crête de Saint Amand, the nearby south faces of the Clapis, Mont Ventoux on the horizon, Le Devès and the Comtat plain. An ideal spot for a snack break. Return to the wooden post. Head back towards the Col d'Alsau.
(8) Climb a little above the post, then turn right and make a left turn uphill (do not descend towards the Clapis). You will find yourself a little lower than the path you took on the way up, with a view of Les Sarrasines on your right (blue dots and sometimes yellow dots). Follow this line parallel to Les Dentelles, first in open country and then in the undergrowth.
(10) When you reach a clearing in front of the Domaines Gabriel Rey vineyards (sign and stainless steel vat), continue along the path that climbs to the left to find the stairs you took on the way up and reach the Col d'Alsau. (It is also possible to go down the embankment and turn left in front of the vineyard to exit through a large gate).
(6) Continue right on the forest track towards Les Sarrasines. The Sarrasine Tower is visible through the vegetation below.
(11) Leave the Chemin des Dentelles, which descends steeply to the left, and continue along the track to reach the viewpoint on the Rocher du Midi.
(12) Walk up the secure, well-maintained path to the viewpoint. Incredible panorama of the Rhône Valley.
(13) Turn around.
(12) Continue left on the track (view of the Ouvèze valley, the village of Séguret, La Lance mountain and the Baronnies).
(14) At Col du Cayron (information table on the formation of the Dentelles), descend to the left on the track towards the Florets car park.
(15) Ignore the steps on the left and continue down the path on the left, behind a picnic table. Caution! The descent is steep. You will arrive at the Fontaine de Tonin fountain. Leave the Parking des Florets car park and continue towards the village of Gigondas on the left.
(16) At the signpost, turn right onto the path towards Gigondas village. Terraced fields are currently being developed, which can make the area very muddy after heavy rain. Follow this path through the woods parallel to the Route des Florets (blue markings). Ignore two uphill paths on the left along the way and continue until you reach the GRP® (Chemin de la Canal).
(17) Turn left towards Gigondas on this wide path. When it becomes a small tarmac road, take a street on the left at the fork (Montée des Hospices) and then quickly take a track on the right (Rue Ventabren) to enter the village through the Porte Vaton in the ramparts. Take the steps on the left to reach the top of the village and Sainte-Catherine Church, where you will find an information table. From here, you can also see the ruins (walls) of Gigondas Castle. Then descend through the picturesque alleys to reach the central square and the starting car park. (S/E)
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