Rocks of Baude

Description

A short but singular stroll between cliffs, balms and ledges of the west end of the Petit Luberon. « The Petit Luberon always seduces us. You can never get too much of this diversity of spectacular and intimate landscapes imbued in history, the rich nature so rare and diverse. Cliffs, balms, peaks, forests and mixed lawns, the former presence of man, the herds on steep slopes... It is fascinating and discovering it is always with a strand of adventure. Sophie Bourlon, Research Analyst from Natura 2000 at the RNP of Luberon. With your back turned to the town hall, take the CHemin de Robion on the left and pass the cemetery. 1 - At the next intersection, continue straight on the road. Pass the Saint-Gens chapel, then 400m further, turn right on the Chemin de Boulon. Turn left on the edge of the woods. When reaching the big clearing of Boulon, go up the paved road for 200m and turn right. 2, At the pole'Boulon', go down the gravel path and at the mouth of the field and the source of Boulon, turn left and, 50m higher, climb to the right on the path (steep at the beginning). Stay on the right until you reach the foot of the cliffs. Weave through the large balms while enjoying passages of cliff ledges. After the circus of Boulon, pass below the large face of the rocks of Baude. Cross the rock shelter and climb to the breach of Castellas avoiding the steps that descend towards the foot of the massif (the marking is tricky). Cross the breach and switch to the gorges of Badarel. Careful, the trail is quite steep and stony. 3 - At the bottom of the ravine (pole:'The Castellas'), turn right and start the descent of the gorges of Badarel. Caution, it is narrow, steep, rocky and it includes a short passage with a ladder. Continue through the bottom of the valley and reach a track. Head across, then at the first houses, cross a barrier and continue until the Chemin de Robion. 4 - Turn left to return to the starting point.

Difficulty

Official rating: difficult, by Parcs naturels régionaux de Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur.

Before you go

• Careful! Even though the ride is classified as average thanks to its short distance, some of its passages are difficult. Vigilance on the ledges of the circus of Boulon and extreme caution in the gorges of Badarel; very rocky gravel ledge on the right-of-way of the trail, passage with a ladder. Caution with your ankles and some of the gravel descents.

Getting there

Start: Place de la mairie, Les Taillades, Taillades (84).

Sources

• Track: Parcs naturels régionaux de Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (Chemins des Parcs), Licence Ouverte 2.0, Licence Ouverte 2.0 (Etalab) (www.cheminsdesparcs.fr/trek/26130-LES-TAILLADES---Rochers-de-Baude). Time estimated by GPX Path with the Mac app rule, breaks not included.
• Official elevation gain: 338 m, Parcs naturels régionaux de Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur