La montagne de l’Arsuc

Following on from the Clavelière mountain, between arid (Adret) and humid (Ubac) slopes, with one foot in the sun of Provence and the other in the Alps, the Arsuc mountain ridge closes off the Ouvèze valley on the northeast side, with the Col de Perty as the crossing point between the communes of Montauban-sur-l'Ouvèze and Laborel.

Departure point: Montauban-sur-l'Ouvèze, "Ruissas, alt.844 m".
Access by car: take the Col de Perty road from Saint Auban sur l'Ouvèze. Last hamlet before the pass.

1. Go up into the hamlet and turn right at the first intersection, then left 120 m further on. Turn right 100 m after the chapel. Follow the wide path to the "Col de Nayranne alt. 939m".

2. Turn left; follow the track for 1.5 km; as you approach the Col de Pain Day (alt.985 m), go straight on, the track climbs and reaches a junction with the GRP (yellow and red markings) coming from the Col de Perty. Keep to the left and follow the main track as it rises (large switchbacks) towards the crests.

3. At the last hairpin, Sous le Col de Chauvac, turn right onto a grassy plateau which you cross in an easterly direction.

4. At the end of the track, take the path that climbs to the left to reach the summit of La Gardette (alt.1381 m). Continuing eastwards, the path follows the ridge (follow the markings and cairns) between open and wooded areas.

5. From the Arsuc summit (marked by an imposing cairn and a geodesic marker), admire the breathtaking view. Begin the descent to Col de Perty (take care to negotiate a few tricky sections).

6. At the pass, follow the road towards Montauban for 700m. Leave the road for a path on the right. Turn right after 20 m and follow the main track to the "La Traverse, alt 1150 m" junction.

7. Turn left downhill to the "Bousse, alt. 950m" crossroads.

8. Fork left on the track, watch out for a small path on the right after the houses, which takes you back to the track leading to the Col de Nayranne. Turn left and follow the original route in the opposite direction back down to the hamlet of Ruissas.

Spoken languages

• French

Labels and ranking

• Open air