The Orb Gorges from Ceps

This beautiful route climbs up the fabulous Orb Gorges to the village of Vieussan and then heads back into the thick scrubland that covers the western slope of the Ayrolle summit.

This hike may be closed depending on the fire risk level. Remember to check the map.

Details

369833
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.08 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 20 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 356 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 354 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 300 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 88 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Parking: When arriving in Ceps from Roquebrun, before the bridge over the Orb, go down the DFCI track for 100 metres and park at the side.

(S/E) Go back up the road, cross the bridge over the Orb and turn left for 100 metres.

(1) At the car park, take the track on the left towards the river and pass under the first arch of the bridge. It climbs along a ledge above the Orb and ends at a terraced vineyard.

(2) Just after the vineyard, leave the main track that descends towards the Razègue farm and continue left along the Chemin de Ceps à Boissezon. It crosses the Razègue valley, then passes through a very steep slope before leaving the gorges to cross the wooded Bourède valley and return above the Orb.

(3) Continue through the vineyards, descending towards Boissezon for 600 metres.

(4) Just before the Ruisseau du Bac, turn left to follow the old path that crosses the spoil heaps of an old manganese mine and climb up the valley towards the Col du Bac.

(5) Turn left and climb up the D177 for 350 metres to reach the Col du Bac.

(6) Leave the road and turn left onto the farm track that runs between two vineyards. After 150m, at a hairpin bend, continue straight ahead along the track until you reach a fork.

(7) Continue along the main path, which descends to the right. It runs through the heath on the hillside, passes near a mine, climbs and crosses a ridge (unique views of the Gorges d'Héric and the Espinouse massif). It then descends and ends at the top of the terraced vineyards of Grésios. Continue straight ahead at the next two junctions, then turn left after the cross to return to Ceps.

(1) Continue for a few metres and turn right onto the bridge to return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 102 m - DFCI track - Orb (fleuve)
  2. 1 : km 0.22 - alt. 100 m - Car park, turn left
  3. 2 : km 1.4 - alt. 163 m - Vineyard, fork in the road
  4. 3 : km 3.05 - alt. 114 m - Continue straight ahead between the vineyards.
  5. 4 : km 3.57 - alt. 116 m - Ruisseau du Bac
  6. 5 : km 4.55 - alt. 225 m - Col du Bac
  7. 6 : km 4.84 - alt. 244 m - D177, climb to the left
  8. 7 : km 4.99 - alt. 241 m - Fork, continue to the right
  9. S/E : km 8.08 - alt. 102 m - DFCI track

Notes

Yellow PR® markings.

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

4.8 / 5
Based on 84 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
User 23922695

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 05, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful hike on an easy, well-maintained and clean path.

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michelmimich
michelmimich

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

Slippery in wet weather along the cliff! Hike with a varied route.

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User 25851893

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 31, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Good experience

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Sb43
Sb43

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 25, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Superb hike with no difficulty. Alternating between schist and limestone. Beautiful views of the Caroux.

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Cedlog
Cedlog

Lovely walk, well signposted, fairly easy with some lovely views.....

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ferrand philippe
ferrand philippe

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 29, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

tour completed today in glorious autumn sunshine.
the vineyards are magnificent - many points of view on the remarkable gorges, as well as on the peaks of the caroux
not forgetting the surrounding villages: Vieussan Boissezon etc...
Technical but very pleasant - a must-do

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LAVALLÉ
LAVALLÉ

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 18, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very nice, well-marked walk. We did it in the opposite direction and climbed up to the beautiful hamlet of Vieussan, which is well worth the diversions.

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Patrice nadaud
Patrice nadaud

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 01, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very nice walk, very well signposted and pleasant to do.
Fits the description perfectly.

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guy sahuc
guy sahuc

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 06, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

This route is advertised as easy. In fact, there are no difficulties with the markings or guidance. I see it as a sporting circuit, with two fine climbs and the last descent where the path, although well maintained, is still bumpy. Lovely scenery though.

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NB8145
NB8145

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 13, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

A fine walk along the Orb at the start, but less interesting thereafter.

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Cath34
Cath34

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

A very pleasant route with beautiful views of the Orb gorges and the heath of the hills.

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JEANS
JEANS

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 29, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

The climbs were on wide, gentle paths, and the technical descents were a delight, with some lovely single-track descents!
And great views of the massif!

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mediphot
mediphot

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 06, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very attractive and easy route, despite some long climbs on moderate gradients. Magnificent views of the Orb gorges, the village of Vieussan, the foothills and the Caroux, which seems within reach. The trail is very well marked, with some magnificent undergrowth, and finally the last descent to the Village of Ceps along the stone walls that are veritable relics of a laborious past.

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Fernandez Benjamin
Fernandez Benjamin
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 12, 2024
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

One of our favourite circuits. It was perfect for the new season. Visits and detours, through the village of Vieussan in 4. At point 6 we went up the tarmac a little to take a little path towards the tomb. The view is well worth the effort, with the snow-capped Caroux as a nice backdrop.
The citrus trees and snow-capped peaks are a wonderful tribute to our department.
Sincerely

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minanos
minanos

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 06, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely walk with some shade, useful when the temperature is high...

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