Provence Wine Trails and Mount Ventoux – 10 Days

Avignon is a UNESCO World Heritage site a beautiful medieval town, with lots of cobbled streets and full of history with its famous Pope’s Palace and St Benezet bridge. The walk starts with a 4.30 pm transfer from Avignon to Châteauneuf-du-Pape.

The literal translation of Châteauneuf du Pape is the “New Castle of the Pope”, as this village was chosen as the summer residence of the Popes of Avignon, complete with its’ own castle built atop the mount. Today what remains is a set of ruins and a great vantage point for superb views far out to the horizon. It was the popes who brought the vines here in the 14th century, making wines that have been famous for centuries adding another element to the religiosity of this wine-growing region and the walk.

Walking: Easy 1 – 5 km
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: The Wine B&B in Chateauneuf-du-Pape

In the morning, you walk through the vines alongside tracks packed with the red rocks that were deposited here 15 000 years ago, at the end of the last ice age. They absorb the heat during the day and emit it at night, keeping a constant warmth in the vineyards and helping produce powerful and spicy reds. The full loop option passes by the famous estate of Château Mont-Redon.

In the afternoon, you will have some free time in the lovely Chateauneuf du Pape village to wander from one wine shop to the next, all the way to the castle OR enjoy a half-day wine tour with a local wine expert (3h). Our wine specialist will unveil all the secrets of these vines, taking you on a tour and leading you through a wine-tasting session. You’ll learn the concepts of terroir and appellation while perfecting your wine-tasting technique. Night in Chateauneuf, dinner on your own.

Walking: Moderate / 14 km / 5 hrs
Elevation: +150 / -150M
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: The Wine B&B in Chateauneuf-du-Pape

Today we walk a circuitous track through the historic vineyards. With such a prized ‘terroir’, every square meter is planted with vines, seemingly gnarled hands reaching up from underneath the earth, proudly displaying bunches of Grenache and Syrah. Staying within the heart of the Châteauneuf appellation, we stroll on farming tracks between the parcels of vines, which lead from one estate to the next. We walk to 3 widely-known wine estates – Chateau Vaudieu, Nalys & Solitude, all centuries-old and all happy to share their savoir-faire with you during a wine tasting. The reds are deep and heavily spiced, while the surprising whites have almond, spice, and honeysuckle notes. We recommend the full loop option that passes by the famous estate of Château Mont-Redon. There is an afternoon transfer to Seguret.

Walking: Easy to moderate / 7 km / 4.5 hrs
Elevation: +100 / -100m
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Accommodation: La Bastide Bleue in Seguret

The walk begins from Séguret, listed among France’s most beautiful villages. From Séguret, you walk along quiet farm tracks above the Rhône Valley to Gigondas, world-famous for its sublime red wines.

From Gigondas, you climb to get a closer view of the spectacular Dentelles de Montmirail, a veritable hikers’ playground, before descending to Vacqueyras, also reputed for its wine.

Walking: Moderate / 17 km / 6.5 hrs
Elevation: +350 / -450m
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Le Pradet in Vacqueyras

You continue through the untamed slopes and reach the ruins of a church set beside ancient cave dwellings. The walk travels on from Vacqueyras to the Dentelles de Montmirail, a set of jagged limestone teeth that soar high and defiantly over the Rhône Valley.

The route takes you to Beaumes de Venise, where you can indulge in a glass of Muscat. Today’s walk ends in Le Barroux, a hilltop village crowned by its 12th-century castle and quiet streets, which is off the beaten track even for a walking holiday.

Walking: Moderate / 15km / 4 hrs
Elevation: +420m / -250m
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Accommodation: Les Geraniums in Le Barroux

The approach to Mont Ventoux is stunning; the giant silhouette of the mountain acts as the perfect backdrop for today’s hike, with its’ barren white peak glistening in the sun. At 1912m in altitude, Mont Ventoux is Provence’s highest peak. Its remarkable silhouette paints the backdrop of this scenic and diverse exploration of Provence. The path takes you through shaded paths of pine and cedar. You reach the chapel of Piaut, where locals climbed during periods of drought in generations past to pray for rain. Descend the pilgrimage path to Malaucène.

There’s also an option for another loop walk from Malaucène. The route starts at Malaucène at the foot of Ventoux and climbs 700m in altitude to the “ski resort” of Mont Serein.

Walking: Moderate or Moderate to Challenging / 13 or 27 km / 4.5 to 9 hrs
Elevation: +500m / -500m or +950m / -950m
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Domaine des Tilleuls in Malaucène

For those Tour de France enthusiasts, the Mount Ventoux section is deemed the hardest stage of the tour. What’s beautiful about these two walks is the startling contrast to our earlier walking days and the sheer diversity of flora. In just two days of walking, you’ll move from Mediterranean vegetation to arctic flowers and experience every level of vegetation in between: from thyme to arctic poppies, from vines to mountain pine, from wall lizard to chamois (wild mountain goats). You’ll be along seldom-used paths and have an authentic chalet experience in Provence, cool mountain air and superlative scenery.

There are two options today.

The moderate walk option takes you from Mont Serein balcony up to Mont Serein. If you choose the easier of the day’s walks, a transfer takes you halfway up the mountain.

The challenging walk option takes you from Malaucène all the way up to the summit of Mont Serein. The walk takes you through the densely forested northern slopes, far from the crowds. Your views extend far into the Barronies mountains to the north, over the many vineyards you’ve explored and to the dozens of villages that dot the countryside. Catch your breath here before a steep climb to Ventoux’s ski resort, Mont Serein, at 1400m in altitude. Settle into your chalet for two nights.

Walking: Easy / 7 km  / 3hrs / Elevation + 460m / – 60m
OR

Walking: Moderate to challenging / 15 kms / Elevation + 1100m / – 100m
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Le Chalet Ventoux Serein – in Mont Serein Mont Ventoux in a camping site Pod (small self contained accommdation)

There are two walks out of your accommodation in Mount Serein today, one returning via a slightly easier path. You quickly trade fir and beech for larch as the walks meander up above the ski resort. As you go a little higher, only sparse mountain pine remains, and finally, nothing at all other than the echo of your feet walking on the scree towards the summit.

Once at the top, you have a 360° view, the Alps to the north and the plains of the Rhône to the south, the Rhône River snaking its way down to the Med Sea. Once you’ve soaked up the ambience of the summit, you head eastward along the barren ridge. The upper ridge is carpeted with sparse bunches of arctic flowers, including the arctic poppy, which grows only on the Spitzberg islands just shy of the North Pole and on Mont Ventoux.

After about 1 hour on the ridge, you have a choice of walks, but both return to Mont Serein with beautiful views all the way.

Walking: Moderate / 15 km / 5 – 5hrs 30mins / Elevation + 600m / – 600m
OR
Walking: Moderate to challenging / 22 km / 7 -8 hrs / Elevation + 650m / – 1650m
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodation: Le Chalet Ventoux Serein – in Mont Serein Mont Ventoux in a camping site Pod (small self contained accommdation)

From Malaucène, your walk northward is bathed in thyme and rosemary-drenched hills to the authentic village of Le Crestet perched on the top of the mountain. You continue to the Gallo-Roman village of Vaison la Romaine, where you can enjoy exploring the largest archaeological site in France. There’s also a market on Wednesday morning to savour and wander through.

Walking: Moderate / 18 km / 6. hrs
Elevation: 4500m / -280m
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: LÉveche in Vaison la Romaine

There’s an opportunity to visit the medieval village of Vaison and its Roman ruins before finishing your walking holiday. Spend the morning discovering the city of Vaison, and enjoy lunch in the old part of town. There is also the famous Tuesday morning market in Vaison la Romaine. There is also a 10 am transfer back to Avignon included and the high-speed train from Avignon to continue your onward journey.

The trip finishes after breakfast—Au revoir.

Walking: Easy / 2 km
Meals: Breakfast