FAQ - Special Walking in Ventoux-Provence

Trail running is a running sport with variable paces and distances, in a rural environment. In France coaching this discipline is reserved to state qualified mountain guides.

The same risks exist as for other mountain sports. For this reason it’s better to avoid running alone. It is important to inform someone of your planned route and return time. There are apps and geolocation tags that enable localising you if necessary. Don’t leave the tracks and stay on the planned route. It’s important to be equiped with first aid equipment. To run safely it‘s better to be accompanied by a professional in mountain sports who will be able to advise and guide you.

Don’t run alone.
Choose your route well depending on your physical condition, experience and the the weather forecast. Depending on the season leave early. Make sure your phone is on and fully charged. Take a back pack with enough water for the length of the run and the season. Take some warm clothing if heading for a summit, whatever the season. First aid kit and emergency blanket.

The decree of the 6th of December 2016 with regards the definition of the mountain environment defines this sport as a mountain activity. Accordingly, only mountain professionals such as ‘Accompagnateurs en Montagne’ or ‘Guides de Haute Montagne’ can supervise this sport. In addition, these professionals recieve specific training and often practice trail running themselves.

Ideally start with a marked trail so as to know the distance, gradient and technical aspects of the route. You will also have the reassurance of the waymarks. On the Ventoux new trails are being marked and you will soon be able to get the maps and GPS tracks at the Tourist Office in Bedoin.

Before attempting the harder routes it’s important to learn more about yourself step by step. How you cope with the different gradients (uphill, downhill, flat..) , the different weather conditions and seasons and also nourishment (liquid, solid) and to be familiar with your equipment. There are other aspects - psychological, motivational, individual,collective…You will gain experience by practising and sharing, it’s a long process but it’s essentiel not to skip steps. You can also get help in the form of training sessions.

A route should be planned, if possible in the following manner ; a fairly easy (flat) section to start with, followed by ascents, to finish with primarily descents. This way in case of problems on the way you can return to the start point with less effort.

Walking is a popular and free activity in France however there are a few lesser known regulations. Particularly the restrictions to forests during the summer months due to fire risks. It’s important to check details first via this link for example. The prefecture updates daily the forest restrictions.

There can also be restrictions on private property, even in woodland areas due to certain dangers (landslides), to boar hunting or logging. In the winter it could be for avalanche risks. You may be asked to keep animals on leads due to the wild fauna or flocks of sheep.

It’s not always easy to be up to date, ask a professional mountain guide, at the Town Hall or the l’ACCA (Association Communale de Chasse Agrée) of the village. You could also ask a local guide to organise everything for you.
Pierre

Wild camping and bivouac are highly regulated nowadays and it’s rare to find an area without restrictions. Most of the time you will be on unfenced private land and should ask for permission from the owner.

In the Luberon Regional Park wild camping is forbidden in all the forested areas. Bivouac ( tent for one night only, from sunset to sunrise) is tolerated outside of the summer months and with the owners consent.

For the Ventoux, bivouacs are regulated as they are mostly within forested areas. Since 2015 wild camping and bivouacs are forbidden between the 1st of July and the 15th of September. Opt for local accomodation and camp sites or keep at least 200 meters from wooded areas.

Enquire at the Town Hall for the common land. Barbecues, grills and guitar evenings around a fire are also highly regulated, especially in woodland and forests, understandably. You risk high fines and also putting others in danger.

Pierre

Wild animals are very sensitive to human presence and in most cases choose to flee. There’s no danger for your family and pets, the wolves prefer to keep their distance. If you do have the luck to see one, stay discreet and observe.

Pierre

Stumbling accross a roe deer or a fox on a footpath is always a magical moment. Wild animals share their territory with us and adapt to our habits where possible, living at a distance and coming out when we are not around.

To see them you’ll have to adapt yours, getting up very early in the morning or coming out late at night. Some animals are nocturnal ! Be discreet, silent and an early riser ! Take a pair of binoculars with you and be patient. Don’t lose your bearings in the forests or on the cliffs whilst trying to follow an eagle. Sit down against a tree, scrute the ridges with your binoculars, listen in silence, animals will become quiet as you approach but resume their activities once silence has returned.

There are many publications to help identify animals in a fun and easy way. If you find a dead animal don’t touch it. If you find an injured animal call the ‘centre de sauvegarde de la faune sauvage dans le Luberon’ on 04 90 74 52 44 , they’ll tell you what to do. If you like you could record your observations and in doing so help with the tracking and protection of wild animals. Information at faune-paca.org or observation.org

Pierre

You can walk along the Carpentras Canal with the dog off it’s lead. Just be careful that it doesn’t bother the other walkers and that it doesn’t fall into the canal, the sides are concrete and it may not be able to climb back out.

In the Ventoux forests (Bédoin) you may also walk with dogs off the lead. However, within proximity of a flock of sheep you should put it back on a lead. On the northern slopes of the Ventoux, in the Biosphere Reserve (exceptional ecological interest : flora, fauna…) dogs should be kept on a lead or you may be fined.

Daniel

Indeed, there are flocks of sheep up on the Ventoux in the summer months with ‘patous’ – Pyrenean Mountain Dogs (white longhaired) and other breeds also, there to protect the flock from wolves. If you find yourself face to face with a flock and it’s dogs : stay calm, no sudden movements (raising sticks, shouting…).
The dogs wil probably approach you to check that you are not a danger to the sheep, you can then walk around the flock at a reasonable distance and continue your route.

Daniel

This is an interesting question as there is no radio network available on the Ventoux Massif and the surrounding massifs. In case of emergencies the only means is via mobile phone, calling 112. I advise having a GPS to be able to communicate the coordinates. There isn’t a mobile signal everywhere, if you’re a large group I would suggest hiring a satellite phone to be able to call for help. Note that you will need the 10 digit phone number of the ‘Pompiers’ (fire brigade) in Avignon. To obtain this please contact the SDIS 84 (Service Départemental d’Incendies et de Secours d’Avignon) who will ask for your 10 digit number and give you theirs. It’s not a difficult procedure but just requires being organised in advance.

Daniel

The orchid flowering season around the Ventoux starts gradually from mid April to mid May. First on the hills of the Comtat Venaissain followed by the Albion Plateau. There are at least 42 varieties in the area ranging from the emblematic Yellow Lady’s Slipper to the more classic ones including also the Ophrys group of orchids, with their unusual reproductive system that mimics perfectly insects. The local naturalist guides can inform you and take you to see these magnificent plants locally. Find more information in our Tourist Offices.

Daniel