Lauris to Robion

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Unknown

V3 difficulty.

Cedar trees are not indigenous to France and this forest was man-made. In the 19th century, the high plateau of the Petit Luberon was degraded by intensive sheep grazing. In 1861 this area was sown with cedar seeds collected in the Algerian Middle Atlas. The Atlas cedar is a drought and fire resistant species and has a long life span, sometimes several centuries. In 1952, during the great fire in the Petit Luberon, only the cedar forest was spared. Cedars like it here: the forest expanded from the 1920s to now cover an area of 250 hectares. The original cedars are now venerable centenarians, providing beneficial shade in summer.

You start the ascent of the south face of the Petit Luberon at great speed via a wide track. However, the last few meters on rugged and technical trails to reach Le Portalas (690 m.), are not easy.

On top, a magnificent panorama of the Durance Valley, the Crau de Camargue and Les Alpilles. You then travel through an atypical passage of this Provençal route: the cedar forest and its majestic hundred-year-old trees. Descend and cross over through a wild valley bottom to the foot of the Luberon. Again, the vegetation offers striking contrasts. Through a succession of paths along the foothills of the Petite Luberon, you reach Oppède-le-Vieux, a village steeped in history, and then Maubec, one of the Luberon's famous "village perchés". From Maubec, you quickly reach the medieval villages of Robion via singletrack.