A local classic and a perfect ride for tackling your first alpine col. The route climbs over Col St Jean offering fantastic views of Pic de Bure and the Alps to the North before descending to the village of Orpierre and its’ stunning rock faces which are popular with climbers from all over the world. It is well worth passing through the narrow streets of the village and stopping for a well earned coffee or lunch. From Orpierre you continue descending past the many apple orchards to reach the main Buech Valley. Your route now takes you through the dramatic Gorges de la Méouge, where the river weaves its way under, around and even through the steep cliffs. A geologists paradise.
If you have energy left in the legs there is an option to climb Montagne de Chabre, our local test piece! The top of this hill is very popular with parapenters and affords a fantastic 360 degree view of most of the days ride.
Distance 67km, Climbing 850m (Excluding the climb of Chabre)
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Back roads to Ribiers and Upaix
This is one of our favourite local loops, which explores some of the quieter roads in the Buech valley.You will start the day with a descent of the Gorges de La Méouge before passing through the village of Ribiers where you can watch the world (well this small corner of France) go by with a coffee on the terrace. From Ribiers you will cross the Buech and then explore some of the smaller quieter roads before climbing up to the viewpoint in the village of Upaix. From there it is downhill to a lunch stop in Laragne. From Laragne head back up the Gorges and perhaps stop off for a dip in one of the many bathing pools
Distance 59km, Climbing 800m (Via Upaix)
Check out this route on our RideWithGPS club page.
Col de Perty
This is a great route into the Drome over Col Perty with stunning views of the Alps to the North and Mont Ventoux to the south. The route described takes you over Col St Jean via the main route but any of the other climbs can be used. After descending to Laborel there is an 8km climb to Col Perty which was used by the Tour in 2006. The views from the Col are spectacular and even more impressive during the descent. There is a lovely café after the descent in St Auban sur l'Ouveze which is well worth stopping at before a gentle climb towards Col Mevouillon and returning to Serre Des Ormes.
Distance 82 km Climbing 13600 m
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The local cols of the Méouge Valley
This is a perfect route for a shorter day exploring the local Cols around Serre Des Ormes. The climb to Col Araud is relatively short but offers superb views of the mountains around Eourres. You will then descend back to the main valley through the pretty village of Lachau. The climb through Izon-la-Bruisse is one of our favourites on quite roads and a chance to bag two cols (Muse and St-Jean) in one climb and offers stunning views of the Meouge valley and then northwards to the Alps. Also look out for the memorials to the 42 members of the resistance who were executed by the Nazis in the second world war.
Distance 43km Climbing 730m
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Tour of the Jabron
Warm up the legs on the valley road to the village of Sederon before the relatively gentle climb to Col Pigiere and into the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence region. From here enjoy a long gradual descent down through the Jabron valley, offering stunning views of Montagne du Lure. The route then takes you into the Citadel town of Sisteron which is well worth exploring before returning through the stunning Gorges de La Méouge.
Distance 83km Climbing 950m
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Mont Ventoux - Le géant de Provence - From Serre Des Ormes
Mont Ventoux is often the highlight of the week and this route takes in the famous summit of Mont Ventoux, starting from Serre Des Ormes. The ride begins with a gentle spin along the valley road to Sederon before climbing to Col de l’homme Mort and then descending through Ferrassières to the village of Sault. Enjoy a coffee and croissant before the big climb of the day.
From Sault, you will climb the “easiest” but longest of the three ascents up Mont Ventoux. The route begins by gradually climbing through the trees to reach Le Chalet Reynard. The view then opens up and you leave the shelter of the trees for the final 6.5km past the Tom Simpson memorial to the summit of this famous climb at 1910m. After posing for the obligatory summit photo and perhaps stocking up on supplies at the numerous stalls or even an ice cream at the cafe we retrace our steps back to Sault, perhaps stopping for lunch at Chalet Reynard.
From Sault descend to the thermal Spa town of Montbrun-Les-Bains before the final climb of the day. A cracking climb, with views back to Mont Ventoux, your legs will be grateful that the gradient never gets too steep. One you reach Col de Macuegene at 1068m you can relax in the knowledge that it’s all downhill from here back home.
Distance 137km Climbing 2500m
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Mont Ventoux - For all!!!!
We can also arrange a day trip to Sault from where Mont Ventoux can be climbed as an out and back on the longest but gentlest of the 3 sides. We love this route and so many of our guests who thought they would never be able to climb this iconic mountain have surprised themselves by getting to the top.
Distance 53km, Climbing 1300m
Check out this route on our RideWithGPS club page.
Mont Ventoux & the Gorges de La Nesque
Bustling market towns, stunning lavender fields, breathtaking Gorges, and an iconic mountain climb, what more could you want from a ride? Starting from the market town of Sault, a short drive from Serre Des Ormes, cross the plateau before the gentle climb to the head of the Gorges de La Nesque. The spectacular viewpoint offers a perfect excuse for a break before descending down through the Gorges. After leaving the Gorges all roads lead to Mont Ventoux! Join the climb up this infamous mountain in the small village of Sainte Colombe, it is one of the toughest road climbs out there, over 20km in length with an ascent of 1639m. After climbing through the forest to Chalet Reynard you reach the famous lunar landscape and will pass the memorial to Tom Simpson on your way to the summit. All that is left is to enjoy the 27km descent back down to the village of Sault!
This has been described by many as one of their best days on a bike so please contact us today to start planning this fantastic day trip.
Distance 84km Climbing 1800m