Long Distance Mountain Bike Trail, Stage 3 – From Bedoin to Aurel
Route
Difficulty
Difficult
Duration
5h
Distance
49.28km
Positive elevation
1844 meters
Negative elevation
1 meters
Altitude
Min. 383 meters
Max. 1526 meters
- circuit
- variante
- voie verte
- liaison
The tourist service at Bédoin :
This trail is marked by a long and arduous start, extending over 15 kilometres, with an elevation gain in excess of 1,000 metres, but the breath-taking view is sure to distract you from the exertion involved.
This wide, rolling track, known as the Graviers Blancs, winds its way towards Le Chalet Reynart (1,417m), Mont Ventoux’s southern ski resort. As you’ll climb, you’ll notice that the Mediterranean forests gradually give way to traditional alpine vegetation and the famous scree, lunar landscapes of the Ventoux region. This is a protected area and a designated UNESCO biosphere reserve.
It’s then time for a downhill stretch culminating in a rather physical climb up to the highest point (1,445 m) on the trail. Once you’ve left Chalet Reynart, you’ll plunge downhill into the heart of the forest on the southern face following fast twisting paths. You’ll pass through the majestic Black Pine forest at Perrache and the refreshing “Font d’Angiou,” followed by a long climb to the Col de la Frache pass (alt. 1,327 m) towards the northern slope of Mont Ventoux. The long, steep, over-hanging path is a great Ventoux classic; it’s a fun yet challenging ride, bordered by a protected forest of one-hundred-year-old trees. The trail then changes directions, heading towards the Eastern face, with a long descent along a single track path to Aurel and the Sault Plateau.
It’s then time for a downhill stretch culminating in a rather physical climb up to the highest point (1,445 m) on the trail. Once you’ve left Chalet Reynart, you’ll plunge downhill into the heart of the forest on the southern face following fast twisting paths. You’ll pass through the majestic Black Pine forest at Perrache and the refreshing “Font d’Angiou,” followed by a long climb to the Col de la Frache pass (alt. 1,327 m) towards the northern slope of Mont Ventoux. The long, steep, over-hanging path is a great Ventoux classic; it’s a fun yet challenging ride, bordered by a protected forest of one-hundred-year-old trees. The trail then changes directions, heading towards the Eastern face, with a long descent along a single track path to Aurel and the Sault Plateau.
Accéder à l'itinéraire
public transport
recommended
parking(s)
In front of the holiday villages in Bedoin.
To be noted
Before departure, make sure to consult the Prevention of fire risks in Vaucluse website, to respect the massif closures. (T. +33 (0)4.28.31.77.11)
This itinerary is best suited to autumn and spring
If you notice a problem on one of the Provence cycling routes report it with the Suricate app!: sentinelles.sportsdenature.fr
Access to the massifs
Respect the regulations preserving protected natural areas – find out about restrictions to accessing the massifs during fire risk periods, from 15 June to 15 September.
Before heading out, check the website
Respect the regulations preserving protected natural areas – find out about restrictions to accessing the massifs during fire risk periods, from 15 June to 15 September.
Before heading out, check the website
In short
- 15 km distance and more than 1000m E+
- Breath-taking panoramic views of the lunar landscape at the heart of the Mont Ventoux Regional Natural Park
- Steep trail on a balcony road, fun and technical
- Single-track descent to Aurel and Sault.
Contact
Parc Naturel Régional du Mont-VentouxE-Mail : contact@parcduventoux.fr
Website : https://www.ventouxprovence.fr