The Nesque River gorges and the Saint Michel chapel starting from the Bourget Lake in Monieux.
Calculated time: 3h30[?] 
Distance : 8.32 km
Vertical gain : 383 m
Vertical drop : 378 m
Highest point : 866 m
Lowest point : 628 m 
Difficulty : Moderate
Back to starting point : Yes
Walking
Area : Monts de Vaucluse 
Location : Monieux
(84390)
Starting point : N 44.056735° / E 5.354575° 
Today's forecast :
Park by the Bourget Lake in Monieux. (D/A)
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 (D/A)
Waypoints :
D/A : km 0 - alt. 637 m
1 : km 1.18 - alt. 666 m
2 : km 2.78 - alt. 866 m
3 : km 4.22 - alt. 726 m
4 : km 4.73 - alt. 636 m - Chapelle Saint-Michel
5 : km 5.81 - alt. 725 m
6 : km 6.9 - alt. 683 m
D/A : km 8.32 - alt. 637 m
Family variation https://www.visorando.fr/randonnee-les-s...
Visorando and this author cannot be held responsible in the case of accidents or problems occuring on this walk.
Global average : 5/5
Number of opinions : 1
Clarity of route description : 5/5
Clarity of route map : 5/5
Walk interest : 5/5
Global average : 5 / 5
Date of walk
: 15/09/19
Clarity of route description
: Very good
Clarity of route map
: Very good
Walk interest
: Very good
This was a fantastic walk in partly wild countryside.
The drop down into the gorge and the climb out are pretty strenuous so not for the faint-hearted.
Certainly could be tricky in wet weather or shortly after wet weather as the bottom of the gorge is the river bed - dry when we did the walk on a hot and dry September day.
Some of the views especially on the way down into the gorge are breath taking.
Highly recommended walk for the fit.
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The GPS track and description are the property of the author.
