A short family walk on the heights of Velleron to discover numerous dry-stone terraces in reasonably good condition.
On the D938 between L'Isles-sur-la-Sorgue and Pernes-les-Fontaines, turn right on the Chemin des Arrayes after the roundabout and the rest area. Join the Pont des Arrayes (Arrayiès on the map) and park in the car park after the canal.
'Yellow route markers''
(D/A) Cross back over the Pont des Arrayes and turn left on the path along the canal. Continue until the Pont de Vinaise and turn left to cross it.
(1)Spot the marker-signpost opposite on the slope. Go right on the path in the direction of Vedelle. At the next fork, turn left and then immediately right on the Piste des Planes that climbs up. You'll get to an intersection when you reach a property.
Ignore a path on the left and continue straight ahead.
After approximately 100m, pass the trail on the left (not shown on the map) and continue on the path until you reach a fence. Ignore another trail to the left and continue until you get close to some houses. Here, you'll see the remains of a stone wall with two large niches. The path gets narrower and arrives at a crossroads at the bottom of a field.
(2) Turn left - the path will tend to the left and continues. Then turn right and follow the path as it bends left before you get to a tarmac road (Chemen du Cros d'Enfer).
Follow the road left, ignore a path on the right just before starting the descent.
Continue for about 700m to join the Vedelle markers.
(3) Leave the road and turn left in the direction of Pont des Arrayes, on the MV53 trail. Flat at the start, this track gradually rises to reach the plateau and numerous orchards. At a junction, ignore the MV53 trail going off to the left and continue straight on a stony path. When you get to a ruin, ignore the left-hand path and 100m further on stay left to continue on the same path.
After 150m, the path hollows out and a wooden signpost points you in the direction of the restored terraces. This detour isn't very interesting - follow the path that is paved from time to time until you reach a platform.
(4) Ignore the paths on each side and continue straight on to walk down the track to the car park (D/A).
Waypoints :
D/A : km 0 - alt. 95m
1 : km 0.53 - alt. 98m - Pond de Vinaise, turn righ
2 : km 1.75 - alt. 149m - Turn left
3 : km 3.27 - alt. 133m - Vedelle markers, turn left
4 : km 5.37 - alt. 131m - Continue straight ahead
D/A : km 5.67 - alt. 96m
Visorando and this author cannot be held responsible in the case of accidents or problems occuring on this walk.
Global average : 4/5
Number of opinions : 1
Clarity of route description : 4/5
Clarity of route map : 5/5
Walk interest : 3/5
Global average : 4 / 5
Date of walk
: 27/08/18
Clarity of route description
: Good
Clarity of route map
: Very good
Walk interest
: Average
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The GPS track and description are the property of the author.