La Nible

After passing the clue de Plaisians, a veritable natural corridor some 30 m long, 50 m high and 4 m wide at its narrowest point, with enough space for the road and stream to pass through, you reach the village of Plaisians, on a mountainside with a permanent view of Mont Ventoux. This rocky lock was once guarded by a fort dominating the gorge.

The Nible provides a pedestrian link between Buis-les-Baronnies and Plaisians. The descent of this hike offers breathtaking views of the Saint-Julien rock ridge and Mont Ventoux.

Departure point: Leave the village of Plaisians on the D526, the road twists and turns. Park on the right-hand side of the road, before a junction between the D526 and the Chemin des Girards, below the hamlet.

1. At the crossroads, turn left onto Chemin des Girards towards the hamlet of Girards. A hairpin bend takes you past a chapel. At the first houses, stay on the main road, which turns left.

2. You arrive at the Girards crossroads (700m). Turn left towards La Nible. After 30m, leave the road and turn right onto a track which passes close to the houses (yellow markers and GR9).

3. At the fork, stay on the main track, which turns left. The track climbs steadily through the forest, then out in the open.

4. You reach the Col de Font Combran (1036m). Turn left towards La Nible for 2.4km.

5. After 1.2km, leave the track and turn right onto a grassy path. The path soon enters undergrowth.

6. After 250 m, the path leaves the undergrowth, rejoins the track left earlier, and takes it to the right. The track then becomes a path and after 100m, at the fork in the road, keep straight on. The path is flat and open.

7. You arrive at the Nible crossroads (1100m). Continue straight on towards the Nible path, following the yellow markers and those of the GR9. The path climbs slightly into the undergrowth. There's a fine view of La Roche-sur-le-Buis on the right. The path then descends again, offering a view of the Saint-Julien and Mont Ventoux.

8. At the crossroads, turn left. Leave the GR9 markers and follow only the yellow markers downhill, facing Mont Ventoux.

9. Join a track which you take to the left. We pass a ruin called Cours du Dégoutail on our left.

10. At the crossroads, turn right down the track. You'll pass the Fontaine des Marins. The track descends towards houses, then becomes a road.

11. Join a second road, which you take on the left.

12. Return to the Girards crossroads. Follow the same route to the parking lot.

Spoken languages

• French

Labels and ranking

• Open air