The coulets and combes of Aurel

From coulets to combes, carved out to varying degrees by torrential waters, discover the naturally shaped landscape around Aurel.

Details

13185
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 11.06 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 507 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 505 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,120 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 719 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Departure from the car park at Aurel Town Hall.

(S/E) Reach the village via the D942. Once at the fountain, go down to the wash house, follow the road for 150 m, turn right for 50 m, then take the road on the left and head for the Sources du Riou fork.

(1) Turn right onto thePR® and take the path that goes uphill, then the road on the right to reach the intersection of the Small Pass.

(2) Go down the road on the right for 30 m, then climb up the path on the left to Jas de Reilhanette.

(3) Follow the track to a place called Les Caussets.

(4) Leave thePR® which turns right and take the path on the left that leads to Ventouret.

(5) The path turns left. 100 metres below stands the Notre Dame des Anges Chapel. Go behind the house, climb up alongside the lavender fields and arrive at the plateau.

(6) Turn right for 500 metres and you will arrive at the quarry. Continue on thePR®, ignoring several paths branching off to the right and left.

(7) At Saint-Pierre, the path becomes a road. Continue straight ahead.

(8) At the first intersection, go straight ahead and do the same at the next fork. Cross a small road and continue along the dirt track. Cross the small pass to reach the Sources du Riou intersection.

(1) Take the route you took at the start in the opposite direction to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 782 m - Aurel Town Hall car park
  2. 1 : km 0.66 - alt. 729 m - Sources du Riou fork
  3. 2 : km 1.56 - alt. 766 m - Small Pass intersection.
  4. 3 : km 4.21 - alt. 1,099 m - Jas de Reilhanette
  5. 4 : km 5.44 - alt. 1,120 m - Intersection of Les Caussets.
  6. 5 : km 6.1 - alt. 1,031 m - Fork
  7. 6 : km 6.54 - alt. 1,055 m - Flat section after Ventouret.
  8. 7 : km 9.05 - alt. 795 m - Road
  9. 8 : km 9.38 - alt. 757 m - Intersection
  10. S/E : km 11.06 - alt. 782 m - Aurel Town Hall car park

Notes

The Notre-Dame des Anges Chapel, 100 m from the route, is a good place to stop for a bite to eat.

Worth a visit

Visit the village of Aurel.

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 19 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
Ricovert
Ricovert

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 01, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Nothingness

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Géraldineprevot
Géraldineprevot

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

We only used the map, without needing the texts for guidance.
Due to a lack of training recently, we struggled a bit on the climb between points 2 and 3, where the hike's 500-metre elevation gain occurs. In some places, the climb is quite steep and seems endless, but there are no other difficulties.
For those who want to combine the hike with a picnic after the climb, we recommend stopping at the edge of the lavender fields before descending towards the chapel; there is a beautiful view and it is peaceful. We went as far as the chapel, but the view is less interesting and there is a lot of traffic from motorbikes and bicycles on the road next to it that leads to Ventoux.
We didn't see a single hiker, despite it being a long weekend and the weather being magnificent.
All in all, it was a pleasant day

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jprichaud
jprichaud
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 16, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The walk is quite steep at the start for 1.5 kilometres, then very pleasant through the woods and lavender fields.
The GPX is very good.

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manonroro
manonroro

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 22, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike. The climb at the beginning is under trees and the descent through lavender fields is easy. Best done when the lavender is in bloom. Bring plenty of water.

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CHABABA
CHABABA

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : May 23, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

between points 3 and 4, we got a little lost among the lavender fields, but otherwise the route is fairly well described.
a pleasant walk, but a little difficult between points 2 and 3.

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gerard.gounon@gmail.com
gerard.gounon@gmail.com

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 15, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very well

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ericelec
ericelec

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 29, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Nice walk, but it seemed to take an excessive amount of time. I also made a detour to La Tune to see the dry stone sheepfold, which added 5.4 km to the walk.
here is the link to the photos of the sheepfold
https://www.francebleu.fr/emissions/rand...
please do not damage this site.

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bernardSalon
bernardSalon

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 05, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hello
A beautiful hike for a walk in nature. Bear in mind the long climb at the beginning. The description can be supplemented by taking into account the numerous signposts.
I added a return trip to La Tune just for fun – definitely worth doing when the lavender is in bloom...
Thank you
Didn't meet anyone

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natdu
natdu

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 13, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Due to lack of time, we shortened the route by starting from the path that begins just before the hamlet of La Carrière. We parked our car at the entrance to the path leading to the Peyrachone lodge. The route climbs from point 2 and then descends gently from point 5. The view between La Lauze and St Pierre is magnificent.

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baca30@live.fr
baca30@live.fr

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 24, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

a beautiful hike in the Sault region, with a steep climb for quite a while, then a lovely plateau in the Ventouret forest.
best done when the lavender is in bloom...

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CarolineK13
CarolineK13
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 17, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A good hike, a bit physically demanding in the first half, with an almost non-stop climb after point 2. It gave us a good workout. We did the hike in mid-December and plan to do it again at the end of June to enjoy the lavender fields. It is very well signposted, although we never saw the quarry towards the end. We still ended up back at the starting point. This walk alternates between forests and lavender fields. We recommend it!

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NINIE84
NINIE84

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 05, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

lovely walk...we were lucky enough to see a deer pass by not far from us!!!
Thank you
ninie84

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NINIE84
NINIE84

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 05, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

a lovely walk... we were lucky enough to see a deer pass by not far from us!
Thank you
ninie84

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26marc07
26marc07

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 31, 2015
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very beautiful hike. Without meaning to, we took it in the opposite direction, but the signage is perfect for both directions. This was probably a stroke of luck, as we had the stony, monotonous track on the way there. The picnic at Le Ventouret is great, and the return trip along the path through the woods or open countryside is just the kind of trail we love.
On the way back, we visited the village of Aurel and met a charming elderly lady who was born in the village! It was such a pleasure to hear her talk about her village.

See you soon, Marc.

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frederiquesoria
frederiquesoria

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 03, 2015
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

This map and description enabled us to enjoy a wonderful hike, but it didn't prevent us from taking the wrong path!
thanks to the author
Frédérique

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