The Clairier and Gippières ridges between Le Barroux and Malaucène

The hike first passes over the Clairier ridges, where you can see, amid the scrub and scree, the traces of the ancient oppidum overgrown with vegetation. It then continues along the Gippières ridges with beautiful views of the Dentelles de Montmirail, Saint Amand, Le Barroux, and the Notre-Dame-de-l'Annonciation and Sainte Madeleine abbeys. It passes by the ruins of a curious 19th-century aqueduct with circular arches that supplied Le Barroux with water.

Details

44962593
Creation:
Last update:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.15 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 273 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 276 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 556 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 328 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the car park of the Abbaye Notre-Dame de l'Annonciation, on the D938, coming from Carpentras or Malaucène. The sign clearly indicates the exit to take.

(S/E) Return to the crossroads marked by an oratory.

(1) Take the track on the left, uphill, to reach the hamlet of Les Ambrosis.

(2) Leave the path on the left and continue on the path that climbs towards the Clairier ridges, along the goat fence. Turn right onto a small, fairly steep passageway for about ten metres, then onto an easier path through the scrub and scree. The ruins of the ancient oppidum will be on your right. Stay on the ridge, ignoring the paths that descend to the right, before arriving at the junction with theGR®® at the Clairier crossroads.
Enjoy the beautiful view.

(3) Leave theGR®® and take the path opposite that climbs towards the Gippières ridges. Ignore the paths that descend to the right and left, stay on the ridge until you reach the junction with a path in a hairpin bend.

(4) Turn left at a 90° angle and continue straight ahead on this beautiful path through the woods until you reach the junction with theGR®® 4.

(5) Take it to the right until you reach the signpost for Les Issards.

(6) Turn left here and follow theGRP®® des Dentelles de Montmirail, towards Le Barroux, until you reach the crossroads with the signpost for Le Bois Long.

(7) Take the road on the left, being careful as there is some traffic, and arrive at the old Barroux Aqueduct, which has been partially restored but is not very visible on the right. A small path on the right leads to the circular arch.
Retrace your steps and continue right on the road that climbs slightly until you reach the crossroads leading to the Ambrosis farm.

(8) Stay on the road and continue on a slight downhill slope to reach the car park of the Abbaye Notre-Dame de l'Annonciation (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 375 m - Car park - Abbaye Notre-Dame de l'Annonciation
  2. 1 : km 0.35 - alt. 385 m - Crossroads oratory
  3. 2 : km 1.08 - alt. 467 m - Ambrosis farm crossroads on the way there.
  4. 3 : km 2.06 - alt. 469 m - Clairier
  5. 4 : km 3.65 - alt. 455 m - Crossroads with hairpin bend
  6. 5 : km 4.76 - alt. 441 m - GR4
  7. 6 : km 5.24 - alt. 421 m - Les Issards
  8. 7 : km 6.63 - alt. 342 m - Le Bois Long
  9. 8 : km 7.61 - alt. 372 m - Ambrosis farm crossroads return
  10. S/E : km 8.15 - alt. 374 m - Car park at Notre-Dame-de-l'Annonciation Abbey

Notes

Fairly easy hike, technical difficulty 2, fairly low risk (2), fairly easy effort (2), IBP 39.

Worth a visit

 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

4.2 / 5
Based on 12 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.3 / 5
Ease of following the route
3.8 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
User 198031

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 20, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Don't miss the path that leads to the ridge, otherwise you risk getting lost in the undergrowth. The hike isn't particularly difficult, but you do need to watch your step. That said, the scenery is magnificent in good weather, with views of the Dentelles de Montmirail, Saint Amand, the Château du Barroux, the two abbeys and the vineyards tinged with red in autumn. I recommend it, but not with young children.

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User 23538786

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 07, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike to do without children, as the ridges are dangerous. Beautiful views, as described, but it's a shame that it's not signposted. It took us over three hours due to the elevation gain, and I think it's longer in distance. We'd love to do it again!

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sergefaure
sergefaure

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 26, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Two points to add, in our opinion, as the locations are not indicated:

  • starting point, path on the left before the oratory
  • climb the hill before the ridge path and do not turn left
  • after the aqueduct, follow the road (and do not go back up the road)

Even though the hike is not difficult (10 km over 3 hours), the narrow path, the undergrowth and the precipices seem to us to be more in line with a "medium" classification, to be approached with caution with children, rather than easy.
Thank you for this pleasant hike, which whetted our appetite. We discovered the restaurant "Chez Laurette", which delighted our taste buds!

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patrick002
patrick002

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 27, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

You really have to climb up to take the ridge trail, which is very easy. If, like me, you take the wrong path before reaching the ridge trail, the trail below the ridge is difficult to walk on, so you'll have to turn back and head for the ridge. After that, I really enjoyed this route, which is not part of the GR or PR network. Really good, thank you for this route.

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Rembotte
Rembotte

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 16, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Magnificent!
Breathtaking view...

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L@rry
L@rry

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 16, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : No

I wouldn't describe this hike as "easy". The climb up the ridges and the first part of the descent are quite difficult. Not so much because of the elevation gain, but because of the technical skills required. It's very rugged, on the side of a hill. With dense vegetation in some places and difficult terrain, you're constantly watching your step.
I can't see myself doing this route with a child or a novice.
Despite the app and the GPX track on my watch, I managed to get lost on the ridge climb. This can quickly become dangerous in the mountains...
There are some beautiful views, but they don't make up for the difficulties encountered.
Despite the short distance and elevation gain, it should be classified as "intermediate" rather than "easy".
Bad memory, I don't plan on doing it again.

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Ratus84
Ratus84

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 23, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike, but not that easy to follow along the ridges, especially with a young child.
You can take a shortcut at the GR.

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Greg84
Greg84

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 26, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Second perfect day, not very tiring. I had to shorten it a bit because I didn't have enough water.

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Nan84
Nan84

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 17, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike with magnificent views of the village of Barroux and the Dentelles mountains, without much difficulty, and often through woodland or pine forests. A little bonus: the ruins of an original aqueduct...
The only slight downside is that the end of the hike is on tarmac (well, quiet country lanes).

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pierre fontaine
pierre fontaine

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

Very beautiful hike with great views. A hike to do with the family.

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Franspoupas
Franspoupas

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

A pleasant walk that is a little longer than advertised (10.5 km), alternating between climbs along the ridges and paths through the woods.
Clear description. At point 2, a cairn marks a crossroads. Take the left path towards the Clairier ridge.
Stunning views on both sides towards Le Barroux and Malaucène.

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flavat
flavat

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 11, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

It is preferable to follow the GPS guidance.

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