4 easy hikes around Mont Ventoux: family-friendly trails for great days out
Experience the joy of walking together as a family in the stunning surroundings of Mont Ventoux
Embrace a delightful escape to the Vaucluse, where the enchanting landscapes of Provence invite you to breathe in the fresh air and embark on memorable family adventures with the majestic silhouette of Mont Ventoux as your backdrop. Here are four easy hiking routes that promise fun and exploration for the whole family.
1. Le bois du Défends in Sault
Looking for a leisurely stroll suitable for young children around Mont Ventoux ? Head to Sault for a hike in the Bois du Défends. Starting from the Tourist Office for the longer route, or the Hippodrome du Défends for a shorter alternative, this walk takes you through shaded paths in the communal woodland.
Insider Tip: Enjoy a picnic at the tables near the horse racetrack while soaking in the sight of the blooming lavender fields during the warmer months.
Route 1: 6.7 km
Route 2: 9.4 km
2. Jean-Henri Fabre Discovery Trail
Le Mont Serein forest discovery and interpretation trail presents no difficulty and is therefore accessible to all walkers, even the youngest. These are in fact two loops that explore a protected site, classified as a biosphere reserve by UNESCO, to be combined or followed individually.
Insider Tip: This easy hike at Mont Ventoux pays tribute to the renowned entomologist after whom it is named. Educational panels along the route provide fascinating insights into the local wildlife and flora.
Green Route: 220 m - 1 hour
Yellow Route: 4,700 m - 2 hours
Parking: Chalet d'accueil at Mont Serein resort
3. Le Rocher du Midi in Gigondas
This family-friendly stroll in the Dentelles de Montmirail area leads to the viewpoint at Rocher du Midi, perched at 468 m above sea level. After a gentle 35-minute ascent, you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views over the Rhône Valley, Mont Ventoux, and the Cévennes.
Insider Tip: A picnic area is available for hikers to enjoy a meal in the great outdoors.
Loop: 5 km - 1 hour 45 minutes of walking
Starting Point: Centre of Gigondas, to the right of the town hall.
4. Wildlife Discovery Trail of Ventoux
Embark on this itinerary to encounter the magnificent wildlife that inhabits the Mont Ventoux massif along this route deep in the Ventouret State Forest (referred to in French as le sentier de découverte de la grande faune du Ventoux). With a bit of luck and patience, you might spot deer, mouflons, roe deer, or chamois ( a type of local goat-antelope) ! The trail invites visitors of all ages to observe their tracks, slip into an observation hut, or ascend a suspended viewpoint to take in the stunning vistas of the Albion Plateau, the Provençal Baronnies, and the Dévoluy mountain.
Insider Tip: Reflective markers installed along the trail guide you after dark. At dusk or in the darkness, be extra quiet to listen to the sounds of the forest!
Loop: 2.2 km - 1 hour
Parking: Located on D 164 in Aurel.
©A. Roux – PNRMV