The Tour du Courbiou from Venterol

A walk that takes us over small mountains through pine trees, oak trees, vineyards and lavender fields. A condensed version of the Drôme Provençale starting from the medieval fortified village of Venterol with its characteristic wrought iron bell tower.
A hike to be enjoyed in spring, autumn and winter, but not recommended in summer due to the heat.

Technical sheet

n°867666

Creation:
10 Nov 2017

Last update:
14 Jul 2023

Last review:
29 Sep 2025

Activity: Walking
Distance: 12.27 km
Average duration: 5h 05
Difficulty: Moderate
Return to departure point: Yes
Vertical gain: + 556 m
Vertical drop: - 548 m
Highest point: 706 m
Lowest point: 398 m

Country: France
Areas: Alps, Baronnies, Dauphiné
District: Venterol (Drôme) (26110)
Start/End: N 44.386994° / E 5.100718°
IGN map(s): Ref. 3139OT
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Photos

The lavender fields above the Combe de Sauve

Description of the walk

Departure from the car park at the Venterol cemetery.

(S/E) Take the Saint-Jean path, marked in yellow from this point, towards Trou des Belles.

(1) At the sign for Le Réservoir, turn right onto the^GR®9variant. Note that Trou des Belles is now called Traou du Boli in Provençal and is signposted 1.5 km and 25 minutes away. The path is well marked, with a few rocky sections requiring a little more attention but no difficulty in reaching Trou des Belles, a kind of clearing topped by cliffs with beautiful colours that can be ochre in the light. Please note that the Trou des Belles signpost has disappeared.

(2) At the crossroads, turn right (there is also no signpost here), but a stone arrow on the ground indicates the direction to follow. Leave the yellow markings and follow the^GR® trail (not always very visible on the trees). The path continues uphill to the Col de Vaux.

(3) Join the main^GR®9. Enjoy the beautiful view of the Baronnies mountains and turn left towards Combe de Sauve.

(4) At Col Flachet, the vegetation thins out and you come to some rather strange marl (remnants of the sea). This is a good spot for a picnic, as it is open with a view. Turn left at the cairn. The descent is along a rather surprising path with marl outcropping in places (but not slippery). Reach Combe de Sauve.

(5) At the road with a cross, cross the road and continue straight ahead.

Shortly after a farm, take a path on the right that leads through the lavender fields and cuts across a section of road. The dirt path climbs up alongside a lavender field on the right. Pass a small cottage on the left, and the path turns left and continues to climb.
Continue on the^GR®9. Pass two hairpin bends, ignore a path on the right and continue to the next intersection.

(6) Continue to the left and leave the^GR®9. A little further on, turn left again, cross the small gully and join a path on the left at the bottom of a grassy field.

(7) Leave the path and take the trail on the left. At first, the trail runs along the hillside, but then the descent becomes quite steep in the Ravin du Petit Devès.

(8): At the road, continue to the right, following the yellow markings, until you come to an old small building below the road.

(9) Leave the road and turn left onto the path. Cross a small ford and continue until you reach the road again. Continue to the village of Venterol. In the village, a little further than the bakery, take the^GR®9on the left in an alleyway that will take you slightly uphill to the reservoir and the route you took at the start.
For those who wish to visit this circular village, stay on the street and head towards the centre of the village.

(1) Go back down the road to the cemetery (S/E).

Waypoints

S/E : km 0 - alt. 434 m - Cemetery car park
1 : km 0.33 - alt. 450 m - Reservoir
2 : km 1.69 - alt. 526 m - At the crossroads, turn right
3 : km 2.55 - alt. 691 m - Towards - Col des Vaus (685m)
4 : km 3.83 - alt. 647 m - Col Flachet (646m)
5 : km 5.14 - alt. 503 m - Combe de - Sauve (rivière) - Affluent de l'Eygues
6 : km 6.5 - alt. 667 m - Fork in the road, left
7 : km 6.95 - alt. 697 m - Path on the left towards the - Col de la Sausse (687m)
8 : km 9.17 - alt. 445 m - Junction with a road
9 : km 10.51 - alt. 410 m - Turn left onto the path
S/E : km 12.27 - alt. 434 m - Cemetery car park

Practical information

The cemetery car park is very large, with space for several cars.
There is a bakery and cafés in the village.

In the nearby area

Visit the typical villages of Venterol and Rousset les Vignes. You can also explore the local wine cellars, as we are in the middle of the vineyards.

Reviews and comments

4.3 / 5

Based on 25 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.1 / 5

Clarity of route map
4.2 / 5

Route interest
4.4 / 5

.domino

29 Sep 2025 at 08:36 7200

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 28, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

A very pleasant and varied hike in terms of both scenery and paths and trails.

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Moka

24 Jun 2024 at 09:48 7200

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 23, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Breathtaking view of the Baronnies mountains and lavender fields 👍The path after point 9 is hidden by vegetation and the river crossing is difficult

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Jacky Anx

22 Apr 2024 at 10:46 7200

Thank you for your feedback

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nm66

22 Apr 2024 at 08:18 7200

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 21, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A beautiful hike with several viewpoints over the Baronnies Massif and the Rhône plain. The elevation gain is fairly gradual.
Difficulties: the fords are not always passable and the second descent is very steep on a narrow path.

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Jacky Anx

20 Nov 2023 at 22:53 3600

Thank you for your encouraging feedback
Luckily you didn't get your feet wet
Kind regards

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Marius26

20 Nov 2023 at 21:49 3600

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Nov 19, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

A very beautiful route at this time of year. However, be careful at the various fords: shortly before the "Trou des Belles", the path crosses the stream bed, shortly before rejoining the road at points 5 and 9. The second ford proved tricky and the third difficult to cross. Fortunately, there is an alternative route along the road that is not too difficult.

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Jacky Anx

25 Jul 2023 at 20:47 7200

Thank you for your feedback

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Poloiste01000

14 Jul 2023 at 16:14 7200

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 10, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

We did this hike as a couple. The route was 10.52 km long and took us 2 hours and 41 minutes.
It should be noted that the trail markers are unreliable. The signage is very approximate, making it difficult to follow the route precisely.
Beautiful lavender fields and stunning views of the Dentelles de Montmirail and Mont Ventoux.

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Jacky Anx

04 Jul 2022 at 12:47 7200

You do indeed have to go under the private path and walk along the field. There is no prohibition

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ANNE2669

03 Jul 2022 at 22:13 7200 • Last modified: 03 Jul 2022 at 22:14 7200

It is indeed possible when the river is low and easy to cross. However, I seem to recall that at some point we came across a sign prohibiting access or indicating private property, which is why I avoided mentioning this off-road route. But perhaps things have changed since 2018?

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Jacky Anx

03 Jul 2022 at 21:48 7200

When you reach the end of the small canal, take the path below the private road and walk along the field on the right
Go further into the forest, continue and join the GR

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Jacky Anx

03 Jul 2022 at 21:45 7200

That's exactly right! Do it this way, it's so enjoyable
You can avoid the road completely

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ceros

03 Jul 2022 at 16:12 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 30, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

To avoid the road after the point (8) (only in summer when the river is low).

Cross the road and head towards the river. There is no path on the ground.
Cross the river and head to the right. There is no path for 100 metres either, so you will need to make your way through the undergrowth, taking the most clear passages, with a small climb on the right, then you will reach the path that runs alongside the road.
This path is very bucolic as it runs alongside a small canal, the SAUVE.

Continue along the road further on to the right when you come to a wide path that crosses the SAUVE river.

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Jacky Anx

23 Jun 2022 at 21:40 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 22, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A very parish specific to Brittany, shaded and varied walk. Except from point 8 onwards, do not stay on the district road. Cross the road, then cross the stream, then climb 20 metres and you will find a small path that you will take on the right. Continue on the left bank of the river, where you will find a water pipe that you will follow. At the end of this, take the path below the private road, follow it and you will find the GR

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Paragore

31 Jan 2022 at 10:14 3600

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Jan 30, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Car park at the entrance to the village, allowing you to start from the village and walk to the cemetery: this option allows you to avoid the tarmac at the end of the walk

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Author

ANNE2669
12 Walks

Visorando member

District: Villeurbanne (69100)

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