The southern side of Mont Ventoux

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The southern side of Mont Ventoux, starting from the Fontaine de la Grave. Hike along the wild ridges. A little tenacity is needed to tackle these sometimes challenging slopes.

Details

n°104521
Creation:
Last update:
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Last review:
  • Snowshoeing
    Activity: Snowshoeing
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.23 km
  • ◔
    Duration according to the author: 5 hrs 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 412 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 415 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,839 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,418 m
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Photos

At the top of Mont Ventoux
How beautiful...
On the Col des Tempêtes
Starting point for the snowshoe hike...

Description of the walk

Park in the Fontaine de la Grave car park on the D974.

(S/E) Continue along this road, which is closed to vehicles in winter. Follow the black and yellow posts up towards the relay antenna that stands proudly at the top of the summit. This will take you to the summit of Ventoux.

(1) Turn right to reach the Col des Tempêtes.

(2) Continue along the ridge line, following the posts to reach the Tête de la Grave.

(3) Turn right to reach the upper station of the Ermittant ski lift. Continue on to reach the Signal ski lift.

(4) Now descend alongside this ski lift to reach Chalet Renard.

(5) Turn right onto the D974 to return via a final climb to the Fontaine de la Grave car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,527 m - Fontaine de la Grave car park
  2. 1 : km 3.86 - alt. 1,829 m - Relay antenna - Mont Ventoux
  3. 2 : km 4.31 - alt. 1,832 m - Col des Tempêtes (1829m)
  4. 3 : km 6.94 - alt. 1,633 m - Tête de la Grave (1627m)
  5. 4 : km 7.44 - alt. 1,604 m - Arrival of the Signal ski lift
  6. 5 : km 8.63 - alt. 1,419 m - Chalet Reynard
  7. S/E : km 10.23 - alt. 1,524 m - Fontaine de la Grave car park

Notes

Snowshoe and pole hikes, backpack with supplies needed for a 4-5 hour walk.
(1) Be careful of the wind, which can blow strongly up there. Remember to bring a scarf, sunglasses and lip balm.

Worth a visit

Between (1) and (3) The view from the ridges and the Col des Tempêtes is definitely worth the detour: you'll be amazed by this spectacle offered by nature with its magnificent view of the Alps.
(5) Chalet Reynard: restaurant, equipment hire

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 5 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
User 16605408

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 28, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent hike, very challenging but what an experience!

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Another Day In The Nature
Another Day In The Nature

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 19, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike just before the first snowfall. Stunning views of the Géant de Provence and its surroundings.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryxT1SVS...

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e&oblondel
e&oblondel

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 05, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Idyllic conditions for this hike: clear views and glorious sunshine.
We climbed up the road (closed to cars during winter) on foot and descended the ridge road on snowshoes (not absolutely essential as there wasn't much snow).
It took us less time than indicated in the description: 4½ hours with a long lunch break.

One downside for Chalet Reynard: the public toilets are unusable. It is unacceptable to leave this place in such a state!

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paulpat
paulpat

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 19, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Hiking on snow but without snowshoes (snow hard enough and not too deep in places)
done in the opposite direction to the description, starting from the Reynard chalet
no danger on the route, hike without any particular technical difficulty
very beautiful view of the Hautes-Alpes and Provence on the south side
Best regards

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balayage
balayage

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 25, 2015
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Hello,
We had a lovely hike on a beautiful, cloudless day, surrounded by the scents of spring vegetation.
I wouldn't classify the return trip (the longest part) as moderately difficult, but rather difficult, as there are some dangerous sections (with a risk of slipping, which is accentuated by the fatigue that sets in at the end). This hike is not recommended for people who are afraid of heights.
Thank you for allowing us to discover the famous Mont Ventoux, which we had only seen from afar.
Kind regards.

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