The Luberon Mountains are famous for their magnificent hilltop villages, quaint village squares, and landscapes carpeted with cherry orchards, vineyards, and truffle oak plantations. In this hiking holiday you can explore these villages and landscapes in style, while staying in some of our favorite luxurious accommodations along the way.
Begin your adventure in the village of Gordes, probably the most jaw-dropping of all the jaw-dropping villages in the Luberon Mountains (and there are lots!). Your luxury hotel stands alone atop a hill, overlooking the valley and its villages from vast gardens and a swimming pool. You’ll be based in Gordes for three nights, the village filled with cafés and even a Michelin Starred restaurant. With Gordes as a base you’ll hike into the heart of the Luberon park, where the trails lead to 12th century Sénanque Abbey, lost villages, and a breathtaking canyon adorned with ancient water mills.
Leaving Gordes behind you cross the valley and into the Luberon massif itself, made famous by Peter Mayle in his A Year in Provence. Your paths will lead to Lacoste, crowned by the ruins of the Marquis de Sade’s castle, and then Bonnieux, where you check into your luxury accommodation for a 2-night stay. Climb to the top of the Petit Luberon Mountain for far-reaching views of the Alps and the Sea, and hike through the Luberon’s peaceful cedar forest.
An optional 2-night extension can take you on foot to the south face of the Luberon, and to the village of Lourmarin, where you trade forests and orchards for vineyards and castles.
Day 1: Welcome to Gordes
Your adventure begins in the 5*Hotel Les Bories, above the village of Gordes, possibly the most stunning out of all the magical villages in the Luberon – and there are lots! You’ll be here for a 3-night stay. On this first day, after a welcome meeting, we invite you to explore the labyrinth of cobblestone streets by foot, as they wind from the valley floor, past ruins, past ancient churches, and all the way to the Renaissance castle that crowns the village. 15 minutes above by foot, via a secret footpath through the thyme and rosemary, your hotel enjoys jaw-dropping views of the Luberon and its villages.
Day 2: Abbaye de Sénanque loop
Distance: 10km
Climbing: +/-300m
It’s one of our favorite hikes in the region: beginning in Gordes you climb through a garrigue vegetation of aromatic herbs and sparse trees. Dive into the secluded Sénancole Valley before reaching 12th century Sénanque Abbey, surrounded by its lavender fields, and housing an order of monks since 1148. You can choose to visit the abbey and its medieval buildings before climbing to a scenic pass, where far-reaching views stretch across the Luberon Mountains and beyond. Return to Gordes for a 2nd night.
Day 3: Monts du Vaucluse loop
Distance: 10km or 15km
Climbing: +/-300m or +/-500m
The day begins with a short, 10-minute transfer to the Col des Trois Termes pass, where the slopes of the Luberon meet those of the region of Ventoux. You’ll hike through the garrigue, high on the plateaus, surrounded by cherry orchards and lavender fields. Reach the lost village of Murs, hidden below the pass, with its authentic streets, and Provençal homes with blue shutters. The village’s restaurant makes for a wonderful and timely pause for lunch, before continuing the hike towards Gordes. For the more adventurous hikers, you can choose to descend the Véroncle Gorge. With the help of ladders and chains, some scrambling is involved to discover ancient water mills in the grandiose canyon.
Day 4: From Gordes to Bonnieux
Distance: 12km
Climbing: +350/-300m
A 15-minute private transfer takes you to the village of Goult, with its pretty stone homes, authentic streets, castle, and windmill atop a plateau. Cross the plains and begin a climb through the garrigue vegetation. Reach the picturesque village of Lacoste, the perfect café lunch stop, before exploring its network of cobbled streets, and up to the ruins of the castle of the Marquis de Sade. Enter the plains once more, walking through cherry orchards and truffle oak plantations, and up to the perched village of Bonnieux. Above the village, secluded in the hillside, you check into your luxury accommodation for a 2-night stay.
Day 5: Cedar forest loop
Distance: 12km
Climbing: +450/-450m
From Bonnieux you begin a steady and long climb up the northern slopes of the Luberon, through the oak forests. You’ll reach the very crest of the range, from where the views extend from the Alps to the north-east, and to the Mediterranean to the south. You’ll hike under the thick canopy of the cedar forest that crowns the ridge, and to a scenic lookout over the Durance Valley. There are plenty of picturesque spots to enjoy a picnic lunch under the shade of the trees. Return to the plains and loop back towards Bonnieux for a 2nd and final night.
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Optional extension towards Lourmarin
Day 6: From Bonnieux to Lourmarin
Distance: 14km
Climbing: +400m/-600m
You leave your accommodation in Bonnieux by foot, and climb on a seldom-used path, passing stone ruins and remote farmhouses. You reach a summit atop the ridge of the Luberon Mountains, where you trade oak forests for aromatic herbs and Mediterranean shrub. A long and scenic descent ensues on the south face of the mountain towards the village of Lourmarin: a tight network of stone houses and cobbled streets, and listed among the most beautiful villages in France. Settle into your accommodation – in the center of the village – for 2 nights.
Day 7: Grand Luberon loop
Distance: 8km or 16km
Climbing: +/-200m or +/-800m
You’ll have the choice of two very different hikes today. The shorter one, more a walk than hike, takes you through vineyards and olive groves, and to the sleepy but scenic village of Cadenet. There you can choose to have a peaceful café lunch before returning to Lourmarin on quiet paths and via its castle. The second choice takes you up a steady but long climb back up the Luberon. You’ll reach a rounded summit of the Grand Luberon Mountain in a breathtaking landscape of Alpine pastures. In both cases you’ll return to Lourmarin for a 2nd and final night.
Day 8: Goodbye Provence
End of holiday after breakfast. Let us know if we can help you with your continuing travels.
Luxury category
- Days 1, 2 & 3: Hotel Les Bories 5* in Gordes
- Days 4 & 5: Hôtel Capelongue 5* in Bonnieux
Option
- Days 6 & 7: Le Moulin de Lourmarin 4* in Lourmarin
What is included in the price of your stay
- Nights and breakfasts in your hotel(s) for the duration of your stay.
- Transfer of your luggage between hotels.
- Welcome and end-of-stay briefing.
- Concierge service for advice and reservations for restaurants or activities.
- Your routes loaded onto a GPS application.
- Assistance in case of problems 24/7.
What is not included in the price of your stay
- Transfer to reach the starting point of your stay.
- Transfer at the end of your stay.
- Lunches and dinners.
- Activities during your stay (wine tasting, visit to a wine estate, etc.)..
