Vaumale valley - Lioux valley

Walk up Vaumale valley along a beautiful trail equipped with climbing aids and then come back down the wilder and less rocky Lioux valley.

Technical sheet

64579
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 12.54 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 311 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 311 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 577 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 275 m

Photos

Description of the walk

(S) The car park in the hamlet of La Combe, one kilometre before Lioux, just after the war memorial on your right.

(1) From the car park, walk down the road to the left to get back to the crossroads and the signpost for "Lioux - Le Château-Est."
From there, take the road on the right signposted Château Parrotier. Carry on down this road, which has yellow waymarks, until you reach the crossroads for "Lioux-Le Château." Carry straight on towards "Joucas" and "Vaumale," still on the same road. Follow the waymarks on the road, ignoring a trail heading off to the right, then at the next crossing leave the roads to the right and the left and carry straight on down a wide downhill path. The path will take you to the signpost for "Vaumale."

(2) 5 metres after this signpost, a cairn marks the entrance to Vaumale valley. Turn right and begin the climb up the river bed (dry in June 2014). There are still some traces of old yellow waymarks, but in any case, you need to climb up the valley. During the climb, there are various carefully-placed metal bars and cables to help you cross the more difficult passages.

(3) Just over 3 kilometres further up, at the signpost for "Gorges de Vaumale" leave the waymarks, which head off to the left towards Col de la Ligne, and instead turn right on the GR® trail (Grand Randonnée - Long Hike) (red and white waymarks). The trail winds up through the woods and then comes out on a tarmacked road at Bezaure farm. The waymarks take you past the farm and then turn off to the right on the road alongside a water reservoir and then several cherry trees.

(4) After a descent, the GR® leaves the road and bears off to the left on the Bois de Bourrade trail.

(5) At the signpost for "Bois de Bezaure", take the path to the left which climbs up towards "Col de la Ligne" and "Les Rouvières". The path completes its climb to come out onto a plateau opposite the last cherry trees and a cabin that is occasionally used. Carry straight on along the path, which then takes you down into Lioux valley.

(6) At the gate at the crossing for "Les Rouvières" take the direction of "Lioux" on the right. The path goes down into the valley for 3.4 km and is much less physical than the climb up Vaumale valley.

(7) When you are almost at the bottom of the valley, the waymarks take you off to the left and then come out and lead you around some houses. The path then leads onto the D60A, which you must walk down on the right to get back to the car park (1).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 278 m - Car park in the hamlet of La Combe
  2. 1 : km 2.05 - alt. 279 m - Vaumale beacon. Passage near the - Carlet (rivière) - Affluent de l'Imergue
  3. 2 : km 4.8 - alt. 434 m - Turning right
  4. 3 : km 6.43 - alt. 499 m - Leaving on the left
  5. 4 : km 6.96 - alt. 526 m - Beacon Bois de Bezaure
  6. 5 : km 9.04 - alt. 527 m - Les Rouvières
  7. 6 : km 12.22 - alt. 289 m - Turning left
  8. S/E : km 12.53 - alt. 278 m - Car park in the hamlet of La Combe

Practical information

Vaumale valley is equipped with metal bars and cables to help you cross the difficult passages. There is just one place that is a little more delicate.
If you have vertigo above two metres height, consider carefully before going on this walk.

 Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 113 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.9 / 5
Gijean
Gijean

The cable and used rope have not been changed,but it goes without a problem.
I'm a senior too, 68 years old😉

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Bonnemine13
Bonnemine13

A very nice, technical and sporty hike in the combe de vaumale, but a rusty cable and a rope need changing. The combe de lioux is wilder, less sporty but just as beautiful. I would classify it as "difficult" rather than "average",

Hello,
Could you tell me if the rusty sectioned cable and a rope in poor condition have been replaced, as I have to lead a group of senior walkers. Thank you for your reply.

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Gijean
Gijean

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : May 21, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A very nice 4-hour hike.
The combe de Vaumalle is magnificent and well equipped for the technical sections, but nothing difficult. Note at the end some slippery rocks due to the night's rain.
The Combe de Lioux is a beautiful walk.
Definitely worth recommending.
I set off at 9am on my own 👍

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Lili rando
Lili rando

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 17, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A family tour with 3 children, the youngest of whom was 7... We had a great time. I'll be happy to do it again.
We had a dog (tiny), and his bag was essential for the first 4 kilometres.
Hiking boots recommended.
To be done in dry weather.
Thank you for this route 👌

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bernard coulomb
bernard coulomb

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Mar 30, 2025
Reliability of the description : N/A
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

One of the region's not-to-be-missed hikes, thanks to the originality of the route through narrow gorges and its somewhat acrobatic nature (especially for old tarzans on the comeback trail, as is my case) - the youngsters will only have a disillusioned smile on their faces .... but everyone will appreciate the ambience of the setting.
No problem with GPX.

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Bonnemine13
Bonnemine13

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Feb 16, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A very nice, technical and sporty hike in the combe de vaumale, but a rusty cable and a rope need changing. The combe de lioux is wilder, less sporty but just as beautiful. I would classify it as "difficult" rather than "average",

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Nan84
Nan84

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Feb 07, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Magnificent hike, rather technical in the first part (rope, ladders and cables) but nothing insurmountable and a cooler second part. Be careful, however, if it's raining, there's a risk of slipping.
The 2 combes are very beautiful. The route was tracked with the GPS, so there were no worries about orientation.
I recommend this hike and thank you for sharing.

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Kattymini
Kattymini

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Nov 12, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Walk made on 12 November 24, we met 2 people there... The combe de Vaumale has several passages with cables, ladders, ropes ... which makes it a fun combe, interesting especially as it is very beautiful. You need to be careful, but there are no major difficulties on this route. The combe de Lioux on the way back is more basic. I really enjoyed this hike and highly recommend it.
Thank you for suggesting this route.

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Catherine Déseraud
Catherine Déseraud

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 10, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A very pleasant and varied walk. The only drawback is the Combe de Vaumale, which is very well equipped except for a rope in poor condition.

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ROBIN GERARD
ROBIN GERARD

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 19, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

This hike is for regular hikers only. There are a few climbing points (2 or 3) out of the ten or so that are more or less tricky, but in all cases there are sealed irons as steps and ropes or cables for these tricky passages.

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khouzhain
khouzhain

We only did the combe de vaumale (point 1 of the description).
The description in the guidebook is inadequate. It should be noted that although the tricky sections are indeed equipped with well-placed rungs and cables, 2 sections are no longer classic hikes but via ferrata, with an obvious risk in the event of a fall as there are no lifelines.
Some of the ropes in place are in very poor condition and therefore dangerous.
There are virtually no markings, but that doesn't matter as you just have to follow the stream bed.
For the rest, it's a fun and interesting little adventure.

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JB13920
JB13920

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : May 18, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A very nice walk with no major difficulties.
The most beautiful part is the combe de Vaumale with some passages that can be difficult for some.
The section between my 2 combes is a little long (road / DFCI) with magnificent fields of cherry trees (fenced of course).
Very pleasant picnic at Escumadou.
I'm sorry I didn't think to take a look at the ruined castle that could be seen from the combe de Lioux.
The combe de Lioux is interesting but nothing like Vaumale.
T: 4h50 with plenty of photo breaks and picnics - D: 13 km - D+: 402 - D-: 399

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jpvls
jpvls

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Dec 20, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A very pleasant walk in this part of the Vaucluse.
Climbing the combe de Vaumale sometimes requires a moderate physical effort.

On the plateau, the scenery is bathed in light as you come up from the combe, only to disappear again via the combe de Lioux on the way back.

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IsaPampe54
IsaPampe54

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 07, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

The time given in the description has been shortened, so you should allow almost an hour more.
The walk is too beautiful to do it running.
Otherwise, beware of accidents as there is no road network in the combe.
I highly recommend it

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cellierduventoux
cellierduventoux

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 23, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Moderate difficulty but requires a bit of skill. Climb in the shade, but long stretch in the sun afterwards. Bring water.

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