Accommodation
Independent Walking
Panoramas of Provence: Grand Tour of Luberon
T his unique walking holiday undertakes a beautiful circuit around the hills, gorges and historic villages of the Luberon Regional Park. As well as visiting some of the best known sites and villages such as Gordes, Lacoste and St Saturnin lès Apt, your trail takes you off the beaten track into the higher hills and through some less frequented, charming hamlets and villages. This two week tour is also available as a 7 night holiday. On most of the days you’ ll have the option between a moderate or a more challenging day’ s walk, meaning it is suitable for those looking for a fairly relaxed walking holiday as well as those seeking a tougher walking trip. Each night you’ ll stay in wonderful guest houses where you can relax and enjoy the Provence sunshine.
Walks: day-by-day
Day 1: Arrival – Welcome at your first guest house in Gordes.
Day 2: Tour from Gordes: Choice of walks depending on your interests and length of walk desired. Explore the historic perched village of Gordes- probably the most famous village in the Luberon- and undertake a circular walk via Abbaye de Sénanque, built in 1148. You can choose to extend the walk via the village des Bories( restored museum of the dry stone shelters found in the region) & Semacole gorge. 12-17km- + 250 /+ 450m
Day 3: Gordes- Goult: From Gordes your walk passes through vines and then thyme and rosemary scented hills to reach the perched village of Goult, a wonderful historic village far less popular than Gordes but nonetheless charming, its alleyways curled around the ruins of its castle. 14km + 240m
Day 4: Goult- Bonnieux: Your trail takes you off the beaten track with typical Luberon charm: tiny hamlets, vineyards, an ancient church, bories, and amazing views. You will also visit the beautiful perched village of Lacoste, where you can climb on cobbled streets and visit the ruins of its castle. You then make your way to Bonnieux, another wonderful Provence village. 14km, + 390m
Day 5: Petit Luberon & Cedar Forest or rest day: After exploring Bonnieux climb onto the Petit Luberon hills for stunning views and a walk through its Cedar Forest. Visit a borie village on the way. You can decide to have a rest day. 14km, + 450m
Day 6: Bonnieux- Boux: Head through olive groves and scrubland with wild herbs to reach the top of the wild and beautiful Aigue Brun Gorge. Your hotel is in a great location at the base of the gorge. 14km + 200 m or 20km + 530m The 7 night version heads to Roussillon and then finishes with day 12 below.
Day 7: Boux- Saignon: Easy option follows the Aigue Brun Gorge before passing lavender fields to reach Saignon, whilst the harder option passes Fort de Boux, which is well worth a visit, before climbing to the grassy ridge of the Luberon hills for great panoramic views. You’ ll then cross the lavender covered plateau south of Apt before a varied walk takes you to the pretty village of Saignon perched on a ridge. 11-19km up to + 750m
Day 8: Saignon- St Martin de Castillon: Your trail climbs to a small plateau where tiny hamlets nestle among lavender fields & orchards. The easier option traverses through vine covered slopes with great views, whilst the harder option climbs to the summit of Mourre Negre, at 1125m, the highest point of the Grand Luberon for vast panoramic views. A fine ridge walk follows. 14km or 21km, + 380m, or + 800m
Day 9: St Martin de Castillon- Rustrel: Easy option has varied walking through a mixed landscape of forest, orchards and lavender leading to the hill-top hamlet of Caseneuve, whilst the harder option leads to the historic hill-top village of Viens with its chateau perched on the edge of a rock band. Great views of Gorge d’ Oppedette. After, both options explore the wonderful landscapes and colours of the Colorado Provencal where ochre deposits form wonderful towers and fins of rock. Transfer. 16km or 23km, + 300m or + 450m
Day 10: St Saturnin lès Apt: Rest day at your lovely guest house with pool.
Day 11: St Saturnin lès Apt- Roussillon: Visit the wonderful hill-top village of St Saturnin les Apt, nestled along the base of a long, low cliff, with the ruins of a castle above. Head west through vineyards and orchards. The harder option climbs to the north to follow the top of the impressive Madeleine cliffs overlooking the hamlet of Lioux, which are 100m high and over 1km in length. Great panoramic views before heading south and climbing to the pretty ochre coloured village of Rossillon. 19km or 22km, + 290m or + 600m.
Day 12: Roussillon – Gordes: Visit the sentier des ochres before heading west back towards Gordes via the pretty hamlet of Joucas set above the vines. The longer route heads into the hills to reach the charming hamlet of Mur surrounded by vines and cherry orchards. Your trail descends back to your guest house via the wonderful Vezoule gorge and a beautiful forest. 12km or upto 23km + 120m or + 440m
Day 13: Departure- Transfer to Avignon after breakfast
♦ A unique circular trail exploring the full range of landscapes in the Luberon
♦ Stunning historic hill-top villages
♦ A multitude of landscapes & vegetation with lavender, vines, olives, orchards & forest
♦ Choice of difficulty of walks on most days
♦ Delightful guest houses full of character, most with swimming pools
GUIDED / INDEPENDENT Price:
At a Glance
Grade:
Profile:
See Price List or
Dates: April, May, June, Sept, Oct
Accommodation
Mix of delightful small guest houses in historic buildings full of character and quality 3 star hotels. Example: Domaine Saint Jean is a wonderful guest house in an old hamlet surrounding a beautiful courtyard with heated pool.
Independent Walking
Price p / p See Price List or Web Site for details. 7 or 12 nights.
Walking Profile
Holiday Profile
Included
Not Included
6 or 10 days independent walking moving between guest houses. The longer version of this holiday is suitable for walkers seeking both moderate & more challenging walking trips. Walking is on a variety of paths, some steep & rocky in nature. Moderate options average 14km & + 300m, challenging average 20km & + 600m
7 or 12 nights: 6 or 10 days independent walking between guest houses. Starts every day of the week subject to availability.
7 or 12 nights ' accommodation. All breakfasts, all except 3 lunches, all except 3 evening meals, walking notes and maps, luggage transport between guest houses, taxi transfer from & to Avignon, station or airport
Travel to Avignon, France; 3 lunches, 3 evening meals, entrance fees, travel insurance
contact @ highpointholidays. co. uk
33