Trail Name: Not named officially

Trail Type: Short distance circuit; paved in the village, loose stone, and uneven, rocky and earthen surfaces otherwise. (These are mostly dry, and can be slippery in places). The trail is somewhat maintained, but the route itself is neither named nor consistently marked.

Length: Total: (Approximately) 6.5 kilometers/ 4 miles

Convenient to: Orange, or Avignon, France

Marking: Initially red and yellow rectangular lines, then blue dots and/or yellow rectangular lines.

Trail Description: A short, but not terribly easy, hiking circuit through or past Gigondas’ vineyards to the heights at the base of the Dentelles, a series of dramatically stark ridgelines born of geological fault lines. While the climbs can be steep, they are relatively brief, and the wide-ranging views of this section of Provence reward the effort.

Trailhead: Gigondas – Chemin des Dentelles de Montmirail x Place Gabrielle Andeol

Parking:

Gigondas (center): large lot at the end of Rue Raymond V des Baux (by the Post Office (Poste))

Gigondas (outskirts): large, unimproved lot at the upper end of Route des Florets (right on the trail)

Public Transportation Options:

Bus: Transcove, Line J, from Carpentras to Gigondas, is the only possibility.

Suggested Stages: Not applicable             

Trail Itinerary-Reference Points:

Gigondas: Chemin des Dentelles de Montmirail; upward through vineyards and trees; left toward Col de Cayron at the t-intersection at the top of the climb; Rocher du Midi (a look-out point/picnic/rest area on the left); Col de Cayron (with large explanation boards); downhill toward Gigondas; by the unimproved parking lot, follow the trail through the trees to Fontaine de Tonin, then take Montee des Hospices into the village center. (Alternatively, from Col de Cayron, keep on the unimproved road, pass  Domaine des Florets and Hotel Les Florets, then from Route des Florets, left onto Rue de la Liberation, to Rue Eugene Raspail into the village center.)

Representative Trail Photos:

 

 

Restrooms: None observed

Attractions on or near Trail:

Explore Gigondas at a leisurely pace. It is beautifully situated and quite picturesque.

Tasting along the Trail:

Clos Derriere Vieille

Domaine des Florets

Alternative Options:

Hiking:  A wine-themed circuit hike called Domaine de Cassan, approximately 11 kilometers, is advertised by the Tourist Office in Gigondas, where you may buy a map with instructions. But see the comment below!

Car: Autour des Dentelles de Montmirail, over 100 kilometers covering Gigondas, south to Beaumes de Venise, and north to Vaison-la-Romaine.

Additional Information:

Regional: http://www.provenceweb.fr/e/vaucluse.htm

Trail (segment) specific: https://www.visorando.com/randonnee-les-dentelles-de-montmirail-a-partir-de-/

Comments:

No official name, but online routes following the same itinerary are identified as named in the link above, and as Au Dessus de Gigondas; and as number 7, “Lunch Special”, in the tourist office map book.

Marking and trail quality varied widely from place to place. Red and yellow lines mark the start of the trail out of the village center; here and there blue painted dots appear. (According to some sources, these mark the circuit, albeit intermittently.) Hence, I provide the alternative route for the shorter trail above. Following the signs to Col de Cayron, then down to Gigondas, you will not lose a trail/turn or markings, and will return successfully to the village.

I began on the Tourism Office’s suggested Domaine de Cassan (a winery) trail, which coincided with the first ascent of the trail described above. But once at the north-west side of Le Clapis, right where the (12 euro) map and navigator indicated a turn, for the life of me, I just couldn’t see a trail, or markings, or any sign of human (or animal) passage in the direction of the domaine, leading down. Very frustrating.

This trail went past, or provided great views of several well-known Gigondas named/“lieu dit” vineyards, such as La Pause, Teste Ville, Les Florets, La Marone et Beau Regard. Be sure to get the brochure at the tourism office, otherwise you will pass by them unaware.