Mont Ventoux South and North

de fr

South and north of Mont Ventoux: different landscapes between the summit teeming with cyclists and motorcyclists, a desert of stone and undergrowth with an intoxicating calm.

Details

n°270735
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 14.78 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 6h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 813 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 810 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,899 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,386 m
Downloads
Open in the mobile app
Download GPX GPX
Download PDF PDF

Photos

mont Ventoux south and north - start of the hike
South face
Landscape
Summit of Mont Ventoux

Description of the walk

Coming from Bédoin or Sault, after Chalet Reynard, continue for 500 metres and park at the exit of the large right-hand bend towards the summit.

(S/E) Take the track that climbs northwards along the metal posts of the Ermittant ski lift and join the ridge line.
Turn left towards the summit, following the ridge, and reach the Tête de la Grave.

(1) Continue along the path towards the summit. Higher up, the path runs alongside snow stakes. Pass a platform and descend to the D974 at the Col des Tempêtes.

(2) Continue left on the tarmac road, still heading towards the summit.

(3) Begin the descent on the tarmac road to the orientation table.

(4) Just to the left of the table, take the path that descends towards the north-west and soon joins theGR®4marked in white and red. Stay on this path, which winds several times, until you reach the Les Mélèzes crossroads, where a track branches off to the right.

(5) Take this track and join theGR®9trail 200 metres further on. Once you reach theGR® trail, turn right and begin the gentle climb.

(6) Pass Combe Fonfiole, a giant scree slope of incredible beauty. Follow theGR®9, crossing several scree slopes, for almost 2km until you reach a crossroads.

(7) At this crossroads, leave theGR® and turn right onto the path that climbs towards Chalet Reynard.
At a fork, turn right to quickly reach the ridge.

(1) Take the track on the left, then turn right onto the same path you took on the way up to return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,474 m - Car park
  2. 1 : km 1.1 - alt. 1,633 m - . - Tête de la Grave (1627m)
  3. 2 : km 5.05 - alt. 1,829 m - Col des Tempêtes (1829m)
  4. 3 : km 5.8 - alt. 1,896 m - Mont Ventoux
  5. 4 : km 5.98 - alt. 1,883 m - Orientation table
  6. 5 : km 9.05 - alt. 1,447 m - The Larch Trees
  7. 6 : km 9.51 - alt. 1,429 m - Scree
  8. 7 : km 12.09 - alt. 1,407 m - Leave the GR, turn right
  9. S/E : km 14.78 - alt. 1,471 m - Car park

Notes

Please note that although Mont Ventoux is located in Provence, it is a real mountain. The weather can change very quickly, the winds can be very strong and the temperature can be very cold or very hot.
There is a bar at the summit where you can quench your thirst and take shelter. There is no water anywhere else.

This route crosses several scree slopes on the northern side. They are not dangerous in dry weather. However, caution is advised for those who are prone to vertigo and young children, as some sections are quite daunting.

Worth a visit

Throughout this hike, there are magnificent views. Mont Ventoux, whether approaching it from near or far, is captivating. The 360° view from the summit is exceptional.

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.

Downloads
Open in the mobile app
Download GPX GPX
Download PDF PDF

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 18 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
User 27550010
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 29, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

a beautiful walk starting from the south side, but for me it was not difficult at all, and too crowded. The
north side, which is apparently more complicated... The view is exceptional and with beautiful sunshine it was still
a beautiful day...

Machine-translated

No333
No333

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

An interesting hike to discover the north face of Mont Ventoux, which is well worth exploring
Thank you 👍

Machine-translated

Fazer13
Fazer13

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 29, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very interesting hike with beautiful landscapes that vary from one side of the mountain to the other. No difficulties encountered, but a few passages on the north side require caution...

Machine-translated

elnitro160
elnitro160

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 19, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Excellent hike. The return via the north face was complicated by snow on the trails, but with good footwear and paying attention to tricky spots, it's manageable.

Machine-translated

Alexandra Du
Alexandra Du

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 18, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike with superb views on both sides. Major work is being carried out at the summit but this has no impact on the route, except that the orientation table has been removed for the time being. We were lucky enough to do this hike in glorious sunshine. We encountered a few other hikers, but not too many. The southern slope is the easiest to access and therefore the busiest, so it's best to set off early in the morning. There are a few slightly dizzying scree passages on the northern slope, but no real major technical difficulties.
The walking time was as advertised: we took our time to enjoy the views and had two nice long breaks in the sun.

Machine-translated

ajmart
ajmart

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 09, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

It's truly magnificent... a beautiful hike: varied landscapes, a beautiful forest, sumptuous scree crossings. It's a discovery of Mont Ventoux!
However, you do need to be careful on the scree slopes. Some sections are tricky (narrow and vertiginous passages).

Machine-translated

jnfnf
jnfnf

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 22, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

superb hike. 22 degrees at the start. I set off directly from Chalet Reinard via the ski slope to the right of the chalet, then took the path indicated on the left to join the trail towards the summit. The climb at the start seemed easier than expected. Be careful of the heat at the start and end of the climb. Magnificent hike.

Machine-translated

Cedricou67
Cedricou67

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 25, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Hike undertaken on a scorching day in the plains to seek some coolness on Mont Chauve.
Our two daughters, aged 15 and 12, accompanied us.

The climb is easy, even if it is steep at the beginning, and takes place on wide paths with magnificent views of Mont Ventoux.
The descent, on the other hand, is more challenging, with some fairly impressive scree passages. The girls had a few scares... so I would recommend this hike to people who are used to walking in the mountains.
It is a GR (long-distance footpath), so it is still feasible without being a highly trained athlete.

Machine-translated

Bea.lebrun13
Bea.lebrun13

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 16, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A pleasant hike when the weather is warm, especially on the north side. Be careful of the scree, but it's nothing too complicated. Takes 4½ hours.

Machine-translated

marikgrr
marikgrr

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 21, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

very beautiful route
Group of 25 hikers
Strong winds made progress difficult at times on the ridge
The Col des Tempêtes (Storm Pass) lives up to its name
beautiful scenery
a few tricky sections on the north side Trail collapsed in the scree...

Machine-translated

Éric Branca
Éric Branca

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 27, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A challenging climb, but a superb walk.

Machine-translated

sr61
sr61

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 03, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

a beautiful, fairly challenging hike that can be completed in just under 3 hours (trail training alternating between walking with poles and running)

Machine-translated

dorian2000
dorian2000

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 21, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Hike completed at the end of winter. A few tricky sections on the north side due to snow.
Nevertheless, a very beautiful hike.

Machine-translated

DouilleBbe
DouilleBbe

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 10, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A great hike, accessible to everyone. The paths are well marked, the route is reliable and the climbs are manageable. Great views to the south and north, fantastic!

Machine-translated

mick-nuch
mick-nuch

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 20, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

The climb to the summit via the ridges is easy. I didn't take the road but followed the path because there were so many cars and bicycles. Once at the top, it was difficult to make my way through.
The north side is more interesting, but you absolutely must be equipped because there are many rockfalls and it's easy to take the wrong path in the first part.
I had the pleasure of walking with chamois in the forest, then they crossed the large scree slope at the same time as me, which was less fun because it triggered a rockfall just behind me.
The hike is pleasant and physical but can be done quickly (about 4.5 hours)

Machine-translated

Other walks in the area

Walking Ventoux from the south: forests and rocks

Visorando Member
Ventoux par la face sud : forêts et pierres
↔14.07 km ↗+584 m ↘-592 m ◔5h 40 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Bédoin (Vaucluse)
This is an easy hike through beautiful forest landscapes and splendid trees. It is followed by a steep climb to join the GR® trail and go around the summit. The descent is pleasant, through scree slopes, with splendid views. Although difficult, this hike allows you to explore the "giant of Provence" with its varied landscapes depending on the season.

Walking Mont Ventoux, north and south slopes

Visorando Member
Le Mont Ventoux, versants Nord et Sud
↔17.39 km ↗+787 m ↘-796 m ◔7h 15 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Bédoin (Vaucluse)
While the southern slope of Mont Ventoux and the ridge trail are well known, the northern slope is less frequented but just as beautiful, with its alternating forests, scree slopes and avalanche couloirs. With a bit of luck, you may even spot some chamois.

Walking Pas de la Frache - Tête de la Grave via Chalet Reynard

Visorando Member
Pas de la Frache - Tête de la Grave par le Chalet Reynard
↔8.98 km ↗+493 m ↘-493 m ◔4h 00 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Bédoin (Vaucluse)
From Chalet Reynard, climb up to Pas de la Frache and descend via a wild path on the north face to reach Tête de la Grave.

Walking Mont Ventoux via the Pas de la Frache, the ridge and the Vallon de la Grave

Visorando Member
Mont Ventoux par le Pas de la Frache, la crête, le Vallon de la Grave
↔15.92 km ↗+521 m ↘-520 m ◔6h 00 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Bédoin (Vaucluse)
A beautiful circular route towards the summit of Mont Ventoux, starting from Chalet Reynard (south side). Can be done in either direction. Varied landscape. 360° view of the surrounding landscape. Can be done on foot or with snowshoes when conditions allow.

Walking Mont Ventoux from Chalet Reynard

Visorando Member
↔10.59 km ↗+464 m ↘-461 m ◔4h 20 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Bédoin (Vaucluse)
A round trip hike to admire the sunrise at the summit of Mont Ventoux, for example, is a wonderful experience! It takes some effort, but not too much, and the reward is well worth it!

Walking Mont Ventoux - le Rat

Visorando Member
Une boucle vers le Rat dans le Massif du Mont Ventoux
↔9.55 km ↗+167 m ↘-175 m ◔3h 10 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Bédoin (Vaucluse)
Discover the vegetation's biodiversity of the Mont Ventoux. From Bedoin, take the road (by car) leading to the Mont Ventoux. Cross the remarkable cedar's forest then the beech forest will appear. Continue (approx. 10km) until you find a car park on the right-hand side. (Jas des Melettes)

Walking Around the Combe Brune

Association / Club / Walk leader
Autour de la Combe Brune
↔13.13 km ↗+259 m ↘-267 m ◔4h 30 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Bédoin (Vaucluse)
A hike in the Ventoux area, on little-used trails and good tracks. The forest offers a wide variety of tree species. Although this circuit is not physically demanding, it is suitable for experienced hikers as the trails are poorly marked or unmarked. Mont Ventoux is a mountain and caution is advised.

Walking The ice houses of Mont Ventoux

Visorando Member
Les glacières du Mont Ventoux
↔15.49 km ↗+715 m ↘-710 m ◔6h 30 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Bédoin (Vaucluse)
As in other places, the southern face of Mont Ventoux was a place where ice was produced. This route passes along some of the paths once used to transport ice to Bédoin.

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.