Hikes in Malaucène

Perfect for hot summer days: The hike leads directly upstream through the river, sometimes through knee-deep water, with many swimming opportunities in the natural pools. The return route goes over partly wooded paths above the Toulourenc with beautiful views.

Circular hike from Malaucène to the chapels on the northern slope of Mont Ventoux and at the hamlets north of Mont Ventoux

Malaucène Clairier

circular route

Challenging route

An Unusual Gorge Hike with Cave ExplorationThis exciting hike offers plenty of variety: a wild gorge that occasionally tempts you to take a dip, as well as a cave with wall paintings. The best time for this tour is during the hot months of July and August, when the river is low and its cool water provides a pleasant refreshment. In the morning, however, it can be quite chilly, as the gorge is still in the shade at that time of day.

The tour of the Brassetieux mountain reveals various aspects of the Malaucenian countryside, where agriculture, industry, tourism and religious life coexist.

The village of Bédoin is situated at an elevation of about 300 meters at the foot of Mont Ventoux. The main sources of income for this charming village are tourism related to Mont Ventoux and winegrowing (Côtes du Ventoux).> We start in Bédoin at Monument01 on Place Charles de Gaulle, the war memorial, and walk along “Rue du Marché aux Raisins” through the village, past the lovely shops. In front of the bank, we turn right, and at the pharmacy, we turn right again. Turning left, the narrow alley “Rue du Passage Couvert” takes us uphill to the signpost “Bédoin Église”02. We follow the yellow markers toward “Collet de Floran 1 km” downhill on the “Chemin des Sablieres.” Passing tennis courts and a RV park, we keep going straight on the flat stretch until we’ve left the last houses behind us. At Collet de Floran, we cross an intersection toward “Le Casal 1.4 km” and soon find ourselves among colorful ochre quarries. At a paved road, near the “P’tits Ciseaux” hair salon, we continue straight ahead. The rocky path leads us steeply uphill, past a driveway. We pass the upper edge of a quarry and reach a country road. There, we turn left and come to the “Sidoine”03 signpost. The GR911 joins our trail from the left, and we now follow the white-and-red markings toward “Le Gros Pata” to the right on a dirt road. The vegetation is sparse. Scattered pines and cedars stand among fragrant thyme and rosemary. Time and again, we catch glimpses of the imposing Mont Ventoux through the trees. The well-marked white-and-red trail leads us further and further uphill in a zigzag pattern, sometimes over rocks, then over scree, and we finally reach Le Gros Pata04 and continue from there to the right, above the rocky valley, until we reach “Combe de L’Ase”05. The GR 91 joins our route, and we turn right toward “Le Paty.” A very beautiful section of the trail through the forested valley follows. First under tall pine trees, then along rugged rocky landscapes, the trail becomes narrower and more uneven. The steep rock faces are also popular with climbers. At the end of the gorge, we reach Le Paty06 and keep to the left toward “Combe de Maraval 3.4 km.” As the trail winds up and down, the white-and-red markings guide us along a path near the edge of the forest for quite a distance. Passing a spring that has dried up in summer, we come to a dirt road, which we follow to the left. The trail runs along the edge of the forest, past old olive trees. Finally, a path leads us to Combe de Maraval07. We turn right toward Bédoin onto a dirt road. Shortly past “La Dayanne,” we leave the wide path and continue straight ahead as the road curves to the left. A trail leads us through an ochre quarry into a small holm oak forest. Heading downhill, we return to Monument01 in Bédoin.

Marvel at the source of the Groseau and the village of Malaucène, the starting point of Mont Ventoux.

Leaving from Saint-Léger du Ventoux, this tour takes you to the northern slopes of Mont Ventoux for splendid panoramic views over the valley, before returning along a superb path overlooking the Toulourenc river.