This 6-night hiking adventure explores some of our favorite paths and landscapes in the Luberon Mountains, and is packed with stunning hilltop villages. Begin in the village of Fontaine de Vaucluse, where a mysterious spring hides below soaring cliffs. Here the emerald-colored waters begin their course, and even run under your hotel. Hike above the village, passing relics of stone walls and centuries-old dry-stone huts. The trails will lead you to the lost village of Saumane de Vaucluse, once a home to the infamous Sade family, where the cobbled streets and stone homes seem lost in time.
Leaving Fontaine de Vaucluse you remain on scenic trails, the herbs of Provence and stone walls framing the paths. Reach the perched medieval village of Gordes, its homes rising dizzyingly above the valley, and crowned by a church and Renaissance castle. It’s undoubtedly the most jaw-dropping scene in the region. You’ll be based in Gordes for two nights, the village filled with cafés and even a Michelin Starred restaurant. With Gordes as a base you head even farther into the heart of the Luberon park, where the trails lead to 12th Sénanque Abbey, still housing an order of monks after close to 9 centuries.
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 in 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 Provence
Arrive in the village of Fontaine de Vaucluse, set at the emerald springs where the waters of the Sorgue River are borne. Settle into your hotel for a two-night stay, hidden in the center of the village, and just steps from the cafés and restaurants. Take the time to walk up to the mysterious spring: the rushing waters come from at least 300m below ground, though the system of underground caves and tunnels have yet to be mapped out. Visit the village’s former watermills, and walk along the banks of the river.
Day 2: Monts du Vaucluse loop
Distance: 12km
Climbing: +/- 500m
Fontaine de Vaucluse lies in a steeply encased valley, and you climb directly by foot from your hotel. The last of the villas give way to scenic paths, climbing between former terrace walls, where the villagers used to grow their crops. Centuries-old dry-stone huts and ancient farms line the paths. You reach the medieval village of Saumane de Vaucluse, with its cobbled streets, stone houses, and perfectly placed bistro for a timely lunch, with views overlooking the Rhône Valley. Follow an ancient cobbled track back to Fontaine de Vaucluse, where you spend your 2nd night.
Day 3: From Fontaine-de-Vaucluse to Gordes
Distance: 14km
Climbing: +350m/-250m
Leave your hotel by foot once more, climbing through a forest of pine trees and cedars. Beyond a scenic plateau you follow a 300 year-old Mur de la Peste, a wall built to protect Provence from the looming plague (spoiler: the wall didn’t work…). Pass through the pretty village of Cabrières d’Avignon and its medieval castle before continuing along scenic paths lined with stone walls. Reach a jaw-dropping lookout towards the village of Gordes, arguably the most spectacular hilltop village in the region. Settle into your accommodation for a 2-night stay.
Day 4: 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 5: From Gordes to Bonnieux
Distance: 12km
Climbing: +350/-300m
A 15-minute private transfer will take 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, passing stone huts (bories). Reach the picturesque village of Lacoste, the perfect café lunch stop, before climbing its cobbled streets 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, where you check into your accommodation for a 2-night stay.
Day 6: 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 7: 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 8: 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 9: Goodbye Provence
End of holiday after breakfast. Let us know if we can help you with your continuing travels.
Comfort category
- Day 1 & 2: Hotel du Poète 3*
- Day 3 & 4: Hotel le Mas des Romarins 3*
- Days 5 & 6: Le Clos du Buis in Bonnieux 3*
Option :
- Days 7 & 8: Le Moulin de Lourmarin in Lourmarin 4*
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.)..
