The Toulourenc terraces

The start is at the car park near the hamlet of Veaux, on the left bank of the Toulourenc, alongside the D242.

White-and-red markings,^GR® 91.

(S/E) Walk up from the car park until you reach the road, which you follow to the left. Pass through the hamlet of Veaux and you’ll arrive at the bridge over the Toulourenc (Pont de Veaux).

(1) Immediately afterwards, at the ‘Pont de Veaux’ signpost, take the path directly in front of you and turn right straight away. A winding climb begins along a stony but fairly passable path.

(2) At the fork, by the ‘Gorges du Toulourenc’ signpost, carry on towards Saint-Léger-du-Ventoux. With a bit of luck, you’ll be able to spot some climbers on the cliffs, which feature some of the most challenging routes in France (and the world).
Gradually, make your way down to the level of the Toulourenc. The^GR® turns left and heads uphill; leave it and continue along the path directly in front of you. Shortly afterwards, you’ll reach a car park and rejoin the GR^®.

(3) Turn right onto the tarmac road which leads to a bridge. Cross it and head towards the entrance to a farm on the right.

End of the white-and-red markings

(4) Immediately afterwards, take the grassy path leading uphill to the right. At the fork, take the hairpin bend to the left and continue to the next fork.

Yellow^PR®markings

(5) Take a sharp right-hand bend. At the three-way junction, keep left and join a forest track a few metres before the Waterfall de l’Arjalas.

(6) Shortly afterwards, ignore the track on the right and continue climbing, staying on the main route. After about 3.5 km, you’ll reach a four-way junction at the Arjalas signpost.

(7) Go straight on towards Sous le Col de Comte.

(8) At the junction, at the ‘Sous le Col de Comte’ signpost, turn right towards Coulet du Faus. From this point, the path descends gently and steadily for several kilometres.

(9) At the signpost for Tête de la Blache, enjoy the magnificent view and continue along the track. Pass six valleys, some more distinct than others, and you’ll reach a fork with two paths leading in opposite directions, at the signpost marked ‘Le Planet’.

White-red^GR® 91markings

(10) Turn right onto the stony path, which is considerably less passable than the track you are leaving. Carry on, cross one path and arrive at a second.

(11) Continue along the path opposite, carefully making your way down through several scree slopes where the rocks give way to gravel. You’ll reach a road (D242) at the ‘Le Vallon’ signpost.

(12) Turn right onto this road and you’ll reach the car park about 600 m further on (S/E).

Route designed for Nordic walking, to be completed in under 5 hours.

You can also start from another car park on the other side of the river, alongside the^D40A.

(8) You can reach the Col de Comte, 200 m to the left, and enjoy a lovely view.

(11) Given the gradient, it’s best to have good walking poles (or thighs of steel).

(S/E) The hamlet of Veaux.

(1) Toulourenc Gorges.

(2) The cliffs of Saint-Léger.

(4) Village of Saint-Léger-du-Ventoux.

(8) Col de Comte.