The Petarelle valley, the ridge and the Rocher gorge

This walk begins with a refreshing stroll along the Aiguebrun, then climbs up to the ridge of the massif via the Petarelle valley. The descent is along a path that passes through the Rocher gorge. The landscapes are splendid and peaceful.

Throughout this hike, you will encounter numerous vestiges of a time when this mountain range was a place of life and resources. Best done in spring or autumn.

Details

6709170
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 11.13 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 509 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 508 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 967 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 464 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the sharp bend on the D114, just before you reach Sivergues, at an altitude of 534 metres.

(S/E) Carefully follow the road on the right to the north, crossing a small bridge and, 20 metres further on, take the small path that branches off to the left. Descend and cross a flat, marshy area, following a stream that is often dry. Walk alongside an impressive rock that was probably once home to a troglodyte-type dwelling, then leave a nice wide path that climbs up to the left and continue to reach the bed of the Aiguebrun, which you will quickly reach.

(1) Cross at a disused footbridge and follow the path on the right that runs closest to the stream (dry at this point); leave the yellow and red markedGRP® trail on your left.
Cross to the left bank (i.e. climb up on the right opposite the river). You will see old yellow markings and a signpost pointing to the right; do not follow it and cross the small bridge over the Aiguebrun (thus crossing back to the right bank). A little further on, you will see green markings.

(2) Then carefully follow the road for 100 metres and, after passing the path that leads to Fenouillet, take a path on the right. Cross a field. Step over a dry river bed and cross a second field.

(3) At the intersection with a third field, take the path that branches off to the right (there is a green cross painted on a tree); the path climbs gently to join theGR®92a little further up, which leads to a place called Fenouillet.

(4) Continue right on theGR®92, which passes close to the buildings, then follow a balcony path at Baume de Peyrot; it climbs steeply up a scree slope to reach a promontory overlooking the entire valley: the view is superb!
Note that one hiker mentioned the possibility of bypassing this scree on the left via an unmarked but easier route...worth checking out!

(5) Continue the climb (less steep) on the left (south-east), still on theGR®92, to reach a crossroads 900 m further on, marked by the GL 320 sign.

(6) Here, leave theGR®92and continue south-east along a forest road (marked GL 320) which descends slightly for 150 m before starting to climb again.

(7) Please note: when this forest road starts to climb, take a path on the right that descends and continue along this path, passing three other paths on the left, one of which is not marked on the map.

(8) You will reach the Rocher gorge, a superb natural enclave. Cross it, then, after walking alongside a lavender field, return to the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 534 m - Car park at the bend before arriving at Sivergues
  2. 1 : km 1.11 - alt. 464 m - The - Aigue Brun (rivière) - Afluent de la Durance
  3. 2 : km 2.67 - alt. 509 m - D114 crossroads
  4. 3 : km 3.08 - alt. 522 m - Intersection
  5. 4 : km 3.9 - alt. 591 m - GR92 crossroads
  6. 5 : km 6.54 - alt. 816 m - Promontory
  7. 6 : km 7.45 - alt. 967 m - GR92 crossroads
  8. 7 : km 7.62 - alt. 951 m - Crossroads with the path leading back down
  9. 8 : km 9.82 - alt. 632 m - Défilé du Rocher
  10. S/E : km 11.13 - alt. 533 m - Car park at the bend before arriving at Sivergues

Worth a visit

You can visit many villages in the surrounding area, including the magnificent isolated village of Sivergues, Buoux, Bonnieux and Saignon.

 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

4.3 / 5
Based on 20 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.2 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.3 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
gypaetus
gypaetus

Hello Bouzizi
Thanks for the information.
Indeed, this is a possible alternative that may interest other hikers.
Best regards

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bouzizi9c
bouzizi9c

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 08, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

We set off from the entrance to Sivergnes, where there is a well-equipped car park with water, toilets and rubbish bins. There are even toilets
A path leads to the suggested route.

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moniquemz
moniquemz

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 09, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Very nice route, very steep slope to reach the top.

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gypaetus
gypaetus

Hello Fouquerebourg
Thank you very much for your detailed feedback, which I greatly appreciate and which will certainly be useful to other hikers who love walking in Provence.
Kind regards

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fouquerebourg
fouquerebourg
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

It's incredible, we've been hiking in the Provençal mountains for 45 years and apart from the section from the start to point 2, we'd never walked these magnificent trails and paths before. The description is perfect, except that after point 5, it might be useful to specify that the trail leads to a track that you need to take on the left until you reach the GL320 sign. We made a mistake at the end, but it was our fault: we stupidly followed a yellow arrow instead of crossing the beautiful old bridge. As a result, we ended up on the road 900 metres from our car... but this allowed us to see that at the start of the road marked "les Grottes" there were four or five parking spaces, which could be a good starting point for a walk if there are no spaces left at point 2, as the path down to the bridge is very beautiful. One comment about what was a very beautiful meadow 40 years ago, just after the start, and which is now overgrown with brambles and shrubs. One last comment: it would be nice if the Park restored the footbridge (which I have always known in this condition); when the Aiguebrun is full, as it was on Wednesday, you need to be sure-footed to cross it. I almost forgot: you absolutely must climb the scree slope (stabilised, 10 to 15 mins) – the reward is at the top, where you can enjoy a great picnic with a sensational view.
Denis

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CACHIA
CACHIA

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 14, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Nice little hike. Difficult route without the Visorando app...

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gypaetus
gypaetus

Hello Pepinet
Thank you for your feedback
Indeed, right now is a wonderful time of year to take this walk
it's not too hot yet, there aren't many people around, and you can visit the village of Sivergue at your leisure
Best regards

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pepinet
pepinet

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 10, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful route along the banks of the Aigue Brune at the start. The climb up the scree slope is difficult but short, and the route remains pleasant with lots of peatland daffodils at this time of year

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gypaetus
gypaetus

Hello Ceclol
Thank you for the information
Could you specify where this property is located on the route?

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Ceclol
Ceclol

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 29, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Hello, lovely walk, just be careful as the route passes through private property where there are three large dogs, one of which is aggressive. We turned back and went via the gr
Ceclol

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gypaetus
gypaetus

Thank you for the post and well done for braving the freezing cold!
Best regards

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doudou04180
doudou04180

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 08, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Beautiful, easy hike with interesting views

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Marie Meulle
Marie Meulle

Hello
The weather was very pleasant during the first part, a bit warmer on the steep climb 😉

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gypaetus
gypaetus

Thank you for your feedback
It should be warm for this walk!
Best regards

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Marie Meulle
Marie Meulle

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 06, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Superb hike, we completed the loop in 4 hours.
Thank you for the advice

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