A unique drystone shelter and the Saint-Siffrein Chapel in Vaison-La-Romaine

A very pretty hike in the southern hills above Vaison-La-Romaine. Alternating between small paths, forest roads, footpaths and even the bed of a dry river, the route will take you to a very large drystone shelter in perfect condition, an outdoor charcoal kiln and a very old chapel. Sheltered from the mistral wind, this hike is as pleasant in winter as it is in summer.

Details

18310150
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.46 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 292 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 286 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 405 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 190 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the car park opposite the Vaison-La-Romaine cemetery on the D977.

(S/E) Cross the road carefully, climb up towards the waste collection centre and continue on the tarmac road rather than the path in the river bed, which is impassable. Take thefirst path that climbs to the left, 20 metres after the entrance to the forest. Go through the barrier that prevents vehicles from passing (do not be misled by the yellow cross) and reach the small path on your left.

(1) Follow this path along the dry bed of the Grand Alizier stream and stay in the stream bed until you reach a very small path on your right. Be careful! The tiny path uphill is narrow and not very visible, so don't miss it. Follow the description carefully, as it is not clearly marked on the IGN map. Then keep to the path with the stream on your right until you reach the sharp left turn towards the drystone shelter.

(2) Take this pleasant little path and follow the route carefully, then leave the dry bed of the tiny stream, take the path on the right, keep the dry tributary of this stream on your right until you reach the hairpin bend on the left going up towards the drystone shelter. Do not take the path on your left which climbs steeply, as this is a mountain bike trail. You will see the drystone shelter on your left. You can even visit inside. Continue climbing to rejoin the route until you reach the forest road.

(3) Descend the main forest road and, at the three-way junction, turn left and climb up this wide stony path. Pass the clay pigeon shooting range and the Maison Forestière Roman, then Pié Servié, and continue to the path on your right towards Saint-Siffrein, 1.4 km further on.

(4) Go down the path, then rejoin the forest road. Go up this road to the junction called Sait Siffrein.

(5) Continue straight ahead on the path for about 100 metres to rejoin the forest road, then turn right onto this road and continue for about 100 metres.

(6) You will reach the ruins of Saint Siffrein Chapel on your right. Take the path, pass Piè Chaux and continue to the cross and the fire cistern.

(7) Turn almost 180° to the right and stay on the path until you reach another forest road. Follow it to the left and continue for a while. Do not be tempted by the road on your right, but go to Pié Loubié.

(8) Turn left and stay on the path. You will rejoin the GRP® des Dentelles de Montmirail. Take it to the right until you reach the small tarmac road, which you will take to the left.

(1) Head back down towards the waste collection centre. Take care when crossing the road to get back to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 190 m - Car park opposite the cemetery
  2. 1 : km 0.26 - alt. 200 m - Crossroads of the circular
  3. 2 : km 1.12 - alt. 226 m - Alizier stream
  4. 3 : km 2.03 - alt. 348 m - Return to the forest road
  5. 4 : km 4.16 - alt. 388 m - Start of the trail towards Saint-Siffrein
  6. 5 : km 5.47 - alt. 325 m - Path opposite Saint Siifrein Chapel
  7. 6 : km 5.72 - alt. 339 m - Trail fork towards Pié Chaud
  8. 7 : km 6.79 - alt. 373 m - Cross and fire defence cistern
  9. 8 : km 8.14 - alt. 300 m - Pié Loubié
  10. S/E : km 9.45 - alt. 193 m - Car park opposite the cemetery

Notes

This walk can be done in trainers and with children, as the paths are accessible and pleasant.
On the way back, there is a small drinking water spring.

Follow the Visorando route carefully and take your time, as this is not a typical hike with its markings, especially from point (1) to (3). But it's well worth the effort. This drystone shelter is very little known, even among the people of Vaison. ibp: 42

Worth a visit

A very beautiful drystone shelter at the start of the hike.
Saint-Siffrein Chapel.
Charcoal factory.

Reviews and comments

3.8 / 5
Based on 29 reviews

Reliability of the description
3.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
3.3 / 5
Route interest
4.3 / 5
1561275024001
1561275024001

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 22, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Not much to see in terms of scenery as there are many sections through undergrowth. Be sure to follow Visiorando carefully.

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User 28161378

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 01, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very interesting and enjoyable parish-specific to Brittany hike...the start was a little difficult to find.
Access to get out of the dry stream was inaccessible
... we continued to the end of the dry stream... difficult climb... found the forest path... unfortunately didn't see the drystone shelter... a shame... everything else about the hike was perfect 👍

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Amandine didine
Amandine didine

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely little walk. We parked near the waste collection centre and then followed the dry stream.
We missed the fork in the stream, but that didn't stop us from enjoying the little path.
So we didn't get to see the drystone shelter.
Next time..

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User 14864583

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 28, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful route. All types of paths. Magnificent views.
The start was a bit tricky because the path was very narrow and not maintained (lots of vegetation) and difficult to navigate.

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Jacky Anx
Jacky Anx

Thanks for the feedback. Well done for finding it
Have a great hike!

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Max84
Max84

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The directions at the start are difficult to find.
The text in the description lacks information compared to the markings on the map (from 1 to 8), so it is easy to get confused.
On the other hand, the views are superb, and the drystone shelter is in good condition and quite large.

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astro64
astro64

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 13, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

We missed the small path leading up to the drystone shelter: "Be careful! The tiny path leading up is narrow and difficult to see, so don't miss it." However, it is marked by a large cairn: add this to the description. We then followed the dry stream for a good kilometre, which wasn't easy! We then reached point 3. As it was late, we shortened our hike to get back before nightfall

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Jacky Anx
Jacky Anx

I'm glad you liked it and that you were able to make it. Well done, it's not easy

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DJV
DJV

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 22, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Without GPS, it would have been impossible to follow the route despite its description.
A magnificent hike, however...

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Jacky Anx
Jacky Anx

Thank you for your very encouraging feedback

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Delphinet
Delphinet

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 05, 2024
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, mostly along paths and through woodland.
Best done after rain, when you can hear and see the little streams flowing.
Very beautiful viewpoint.
I parked after the waste collection centre, directly in the forest, as I found the suggested starting point rather uninteresting.
Thank you.

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Jacky Anx
Jacky Anx

Thank you for your kind comment. Enjoy your hike

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Yweiss
Yweiss

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 16, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Quite an interesting route, but you have to enjoy walking on paths with overgrown vegetation. For me, it's magical seeing all the butterflies flying around you.
Be careful with the imprecise definition of the starting point, as there are two cemeteries 1 km apart on the same road, which may explain why some people had trouble finding the starting point. The one you need to use the car park for isn't even marked on Google Maps. If you're coming from Séguret and heading towards Vaison la Romaine, once you reach the municipal technical centre, turn around, as you've gone too far. The small cemetery is only visible when coming from Vaison.
In short, it's a nice hike, but you'll need GPX, even with the "strings" (I only saw one!)

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Jacky Anx
Jacky Anx

Thank you for your insightful feedback
Well done
Kind regards

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Eric_Lyon
Eric_Lyon

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 13, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pretty, varied circular. However, be careful at point 8, as you can no longer follow the description. When you turn left into the vineyards, at the end of the vineyards there is a huge earth and stone embankment. We went over it, but the path behind is no longer maintained. We therefore changed the route, continuing along the path, which leads to a trail that also joins the GR a little further down.

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