Saint-Auban-sur-l'Ouvèze - Izon

(S) Climb up through the village until you reach Place de la Fontaine d'en Haut, behind the church. Turn left towards Chemin de la Cîme des Blaches, climb up Chemin de la Cîme des Blaches, which turns into a path after a few dozen metres. Then follow the path along the magnificent, tree-lined ridge of Serre de Rioms, on the GRP® Tour des Baronnies Provençales. You will reach the hamlet of Serre.

(1) Here you will find a few houses and the tarmac road, then continue along the track. The path passes through the forest, on the north-facing slope of the Croc and Bouvrège mountains. You will arrive at a junction of tracks.

(2) Continue left until you reach the Pas de Bouvrège crossroads. Enjoythe splendid view of Mont Ventoux and the hamlets around the Old Fort of Mévouillon.

(3) Take the ridge via the path on the left, pass the paragliding launch area and then reach the Col de la Trappe.

(4) Stay on the ridge opposite and continue to the place known as La Conche.

(5) Continue along this ridge and follow a long path, which can be a little confusing as it is not very well marked, but is particularly pleasant. Take care to go around the lavender fields and pay attention to the trail. You will reach the Col d'Izon crossroads, which leads in several directions.

(6) Here you have two options:
- take the path downhill to the right to arrive directly at Col d'Olun, an interesting route if the weather is threatening, you are tired or short on time. It is possible to descend to Izon-la-Bruisse in an hour's walk, following the GRP® trail,
- Turn left for a few metres, following the route on the map, and at the fork, turn right at a 90° angle and follow the signs for Crêtes de Chamouse along a steep path. At the horseshoe-shaped Crêtes de Chamouse, follow the ridge to the summit, then on to La Tussie. Exceptional panoramic views over the Méouge and Ouvèze valleys, the Provençal peaks and the Alps.

(7) Descend the hairpin bend on the right to follow the direction of Sous la Tussie and Izon-la-Bruisse. Then continue straight on towards Izon-la-Bruisse until you reach Devès.

(8) Turn right towards Col de Tous les Vents and Izon-la-Bruisse. At the junction of three tracks, turn left and continue to Col d'Olun.

(9) Continue on the track opposite and finish the descent at the village of Izon-la-Bruisse, today's stage. (E)

Hiking in the Baronnies Provençales Regional Nature Park is best undertaken in April-May-June and September-October. In summer, it can be very hot in the Baronnies Provençales, and in winter, some paths may be impassable or snow-covered.

Set off each day with a good supply of water, as most fountains are not checked and some may have a very low flow rate in all seasons.

At the Col d'Izon (6), if the weather is threatening, you are tired or short on time, you can avoid the summit of Chamouse and descend to the Col d'Olun (9) and then to Izon-la-Bruisse in an hour's walk, following the GRP®.

(E) Izon-la-Bruisse: unusual accommodation, guest rooms and table d'hôte.