Park by the Bourget Lake in Monieux. (S/E)
Take the paved road leading due north-north-east towards the village, with yellow and orange waymarks,
Cross the D942 and take the road opposite leading to the castle ruins (vestiges du château). At the next crossroad(1) take a left on the "Rue Pré d'Estève" indicating the GR®9 direction,
After a while the paved road turns into a trail alongside a house to the right (the gable mounted by a crucifix). The path meets with the GR®9 waymarked white and red and heads up the mountain slope offering views of the lake. Then branch off to the left on a flat ledge signposted "sentier des chapelles"(2)
At the next crossing the trail stems into two larger paths, take the left-hand path bringing you to the road (D942) (3).
Cross it and start descending towards the gorges heading to the Saint-Michel chapel. A signpost warns you of potential danger as there are overhanging cliffs, but if you remain on the path, there's nothing to worry about.
Just after passing the Saint-Michel chapel (4) cross the Nesque River and head towards Saint Hubert and La Peisse, (this area can be tricky after heavy rainfall). The path rises along the left bank underneath the overhanging cliffs and higher offers amazing views of the gorges, Ventoux and the surrounding countryside. At the next crossing follow the GR® to the left.
When you get to the signpost "La Peisse" (5), leave the GR® and take the left-hand path towards Monieux and Font de Jean, waymarks will become yellow and orange.
At the Font de Jean crossing take a left heading towards the Bourget Lake.
The trail ends smoothly, continuing along the Nesque River and ending up at the lake and car park at your starting point (S/E)
The Nesque River gorges from Monieux
The Nesque River gorges and the Saint Michel chapel starting from the Bourget Lake in Monieux.
Details
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Activity: Walking -
Distance: 5.17 mi -
Average duration: 3h 30 -
Difficulty: Moderate -
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Back to start: Yes -
Ascent: + 1,273 ft -
Descent: - 1,266 ft -
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Highest point: 2,844 ft -
Lowest point: 1,962 ft
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Country:
France
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Area: Monts de Vaucluse -
City:
Monieux (84390) -
Start/End: N 44.056735° / E 5.354575° -
IGN map(s): Ref. 3140ET, 3140ETR -
Hour-by-hour weather
Photos
Description of the walk
Waypoints
- S/E : mi 0 - alt. 2,047 ft - Lake Bourget
- 1 : mi 0.73 - alt. 2,169 ft - Monieux
- 2 : mi 1.72 - alt. 2,838 ft - Chapel Trail
- 3 : mi 2.62 - alt. 2,415 ft - D942
- 4 : mi 2.94 - alt. 1,972 ft - Chapelle Saint-Michel
- 5 : mi 3.61 - alt. 2,372 ft - La Peisse
- 6 : mi 4.29 - alt. 2,254 ft - Font de Jean. Valley of the - Nesque (rivière)
- S/E : mi 5.17 - alt. 2,047 ft - Lake Bourget
Notes
Family variation https://www.visorando.fr/randonnee-les-s...
Reviews and comments
4.7 / 5
4.7 / 5
4.8 / 5
Overall rating : 4.7 / 5
Date of your route : Jun 10, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No
A lovely walk, well signposted and suitable for everyone.
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Overall rating : 5 / 5
Date of your route : May 17, 2026
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes
As we set off quite early in the morning, we didn’t see many people until we reached the gorges; there were far more after that. The morning sun shining on the ford creates a magnificent sight that makes the walk worthwhile in itself; the chapel is also well worth a visit. A 2 hour 40 minute walk, including a visit to Monieux
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Overall rating : 4.5 / 5
Date of your route : May 18, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes
A lovely walk. There’s a fairly tricky section over rocks. It gets very slippery in wet weather.
Best done in the opposite direction to the one suggested here. That way, the ‘difficult’ section is less dangerous when going uphill.
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Overall rating : 5 / 5
Date of your route : May 12, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No
A lovely walk. We did it in the direction suggested by the author. No particular difficulties. There wasn’t really a sense of vertigo, except perhaps for those who are prone to it right at the start of the descent from the road. Took 2 hours 45 minutes, including a 25-minute lunch break. The ford was a bit tricky; there was a lot of water that day. After crossing the ford, the path immediately continues along the cliff with a GR marker that’s rather hard to see. Don’t be tempted by the path that branches off to the right and runs alongside the Nesque.
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Overall rating : 4.7 / 5
Date of your route : May 12, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No
A lovely walk
more suited to fitness enthusiasts
the pretty village of Monieux is worth exploring on foot.
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Overall rating : 5 / 5
Date of your route : Apr 20, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No
A superb hike, but quite challenging during the descent through the gorges for amateur hikers like us. It’s best not to be prone to vertigo. Fortunately, we were well equipped (boots, walking poles). Some guides suggest doing the route in the opposite direction. I can confirm that despite the difficulty of the descent, it’s better to start as suggested here; the return journey is much easier and shaded. The hike took 3 hours and 15 minutes.
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Overall rating : 4 / 5
Date of your route : Apr 16, 2026
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No
Be careful not to take the wrong path; once you’ve crossed the river, there are two paths.
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Overall rating : 5 / 5
Date of your route : Oct 20, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No
It is indeed a very perilous descent after the road, but not excessively long. With good footwear and caution, it is manageable! This hike is reserved for experienced hikers who are not afraid of heights, but otherwise this site is breathtaking. Thank you.
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Overall rating : 4.7 / 5
Date of your route : Sep 19, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes
In SAULT, after returning from the Tour du Massif du Ventoux - Tour du Ventoux via the summit, I had half a day to spare.
A friend had told me about the Gorges de la Nesque a few days before my trek.
Being there, I seized the opportunity to discover this site and explore its route, which was sublime!!!
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Overall rating : 5 / 5
Date of your route : Sep 29, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No
It would seem advisable to do this hike in the opposite direction, as the descent towards La Nesque is very dangerous at the beginning after crossing the road. Personally, I would prefer to climb this section rather than descend it.
But it's still a very beautiful hike!
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Overall rating : 5 / 5
Date of your route : Sep 14, 2025
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; however, I recommend doing it in the opposite direction, as the descent is very steep in the direction indicated. Walking at a leisurely pace, it took us 2 hours and 45 minutes
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Overall rating : 4.7 / 5
Date of your route : Aug 13, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes
A very beautiful hike, but there is indeed a tricky section, so you need good shoes.
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Overall rating : 4.3 / 5
Date of your route : Aug 11, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No
moderate hike with some sections along the edge of cliffs. Take care with children, otherwise a nice hike
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Overall rating : 5 / 5
Date of your route : Jul 24, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No
A very beautiful route, well described, but make sure you wear good walking shoes because some of the descents are quite steep. Take your time, it's worth it!
Thank you for this beautiful hike.
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Overall rating : 3.7 / 5
Date of your route : Jun 30, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes
We discovered the gorges in June. A very beautiful hike starting from the lake. Magnificent landscapes. Not very difficult, but walking shoes are recommended, especially on the slightly rocky descents.
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