Hiking in Luberon 28 Nov 2025
6 easy family hikes to enjoy this autumn in the Luberon

Destination Luberon

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Autumn enhances the beauty of the Luberon. Its landscapes take on golden hues and the light becomes softer.
It's the perfect season for a family walk or a stroll through the heart of the Luberon Regional Nature Park.

From Cabrières-d'Avignon to Lauris, passing through Cavaillon, Gordes, Mérindol and Les Beaumettes, set off to discover 6 easy hikes. These marked trails through unspoilt nature are designed for walkers of all ages, leading you across cedar forests and fragrant garrigue, while offering breathtaking views and memorable encounters with the local fauna and flora.

1. Cabrières d'Avignon - From the cedar forest to the Plague Wall

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  • Distance: 6.1 km (loop)
  • Duration: about 2 hours
  • Elevation gain: +200 m
  • Level: easy, with some rocky sections
  • Family highlight: An easy hike combining nature, history and dry-stone heritage, along a well-marked trail that children will enjoy.

Starting from Cabrières-d'Avignon, this 6 km loop takes you between historical heritage and forest landscapes. The trail begins in the majestic cedar forest, planted in the 19th century, where Atlas cedars provide gentle shade and a peaceful atmosphere. In autumn, the golden light filtering through the branches gives the forest a magical charm.

The route continues towards the Plague Wall, an impressive dry-stone structure built in 1721 to protect the Comtat Venaissin from the epidemic that came from Marseille. Walking along it, you'll discover watch posts, shelters and enclosures recalling a significant agricultural and sanitary past. Between fragrant garrigue, dense forests and dry-stone heritage, this easy hike combines nature and history for an immersive experience in the soul of the Luberon.

 
2. Cavaillon - From the train station to Saint-Jacques Hill

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  • Distance: 4.9 km (loop)
  • Duration: about 1 hr 45 min
  • Elevation gain: +143 meters
  • Level: easy, with a few stairs and uphill sections
  • Family highlight: An original hike combining urban heritage and natural viewpoints.

This nearly 5 km loop offers a journey between town and nature, starting from the SNCF train station and the historic center of Cavaillon, leading up to Saint-Jacques Hill, listed as a UNESCO Geosite. The route alternates between Belle Époque façades, a Roman arch, a chapel and narrow streets, before giving way to limestone trails lined with Mediterranean garrigue.

The ascent leads to the Saint-Jacques Chapel and its emblematic large cross. At the top, a magnificent panorama of the Alpilles, the Petit Luberon and the Durance Valley rewards the effort.

 
3. Les Beaumettes - Botanical Trail

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  • Distance: 2.7 km (loop)
  • Duration: about 1 hour
  • Elevation gain: +70 meters
  • Level: very easy, family-friendly loop with gentle elevation
  • Family highlight: A fun and educational walk with informative signs along the way.

Short and easy, this loop of nearly 3 km starting from the town hall square of Les Beaumettes offers a bucolic immersion in the heart of the garrigue and the pine forest. The trail, dotted with educational markers, gradually reveals the richness of the local natural and geological heritage.

Between dry-stone walls, surprising Miocene rock formations and Mediterranean vegetation, every step brings a new discovery. Children will enjoy spotting butterflies, including the rare Spanish Festoon, or searching for giant orchids in spring. In autumn, the walk takes on a special atmosphere: the pine trees release their resinous scent while the golden light filters through the branches. An ideal setting for an outdoor family outing.

 
4. Mérindol - Between Garrigue and the Durance

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  • Distance: 4.2 km
  • Duration: about 1 hr 30 min
  • Elevation gain: +44 meters
  • Level: Easy / Accessible to everyone
  • Accessibility: Part of the loop is certified Tourism & Disability (suitable for strollers or wheelchairs).
  • Family highlight: A varied, safe trail featuring a bird observatory, perfect for a fun and educational outing.

An easy 4 km loop starting from the Garrigue car park in Mérindol, with the first section adapted and accessible for people with disabilities. The trail crosses fragrant garrigue, panoramic ridges and cultivated valleys before reaching a belvedere overlooking the Durance, a true ecological corridor and hunting ground for many birds of prey.

The route then leads to a bird observatory overlooking the Mallemort lake, where in autumn you can observe wintering birds alongside local species. The Durance, acting as the common thread of the itinerary, adds to the charm of this hike accessible to all.

 
5. Gordes - The Jean-de-Marre Mill

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  • Distance: 3.9 km (round trip)
  • Duration: about 1 hour
  • Elevation gain: +156 meters
  • Level: Easy (note: rocky and steep sections - good footwear recommended)
  • Family highlight: A short and varied trail combining the history of the old mill with the impressive natural scenery of the gorges.

Starting from the rest area on the road to Murs in Gordes, this easy 4 km hike takes you into the wild world of the Véroncle Gorges. The trail begins along a balcony path with spectacular views of the limestone cliffs, before descending into the canyon. Here, unspoilt nature blends with rural heritage: dry-stone walls, terraces, former crops and cliffside flora clinging to the rock faces.

The highlight of the walk is the Jean-de-Marre Mill, built in the 16th century, which tells the story of the ingenuity of millers who harnessed the power of water. Its remains, together with a nearby tufa waterfall, give the site a timeless atmosphere. In autumn, the golden light enhances the cliffs and ruins, further reinforcing the unique charm of this short escape in the Luberon.

 
6. Lauris - From the Recaute Valley to the Sautadou Combe

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  • Distance: 5.8 km
  • Duration: about 2 hours
  • Elevation gain: +199 meters
  • Level: Easy (note: some steep and rocky sections)
  • Family highlight: A varied loop combining flora, fauna (birdwatching) and the discovery of rural heritage (borie, caves).

This easy loop of nearly 6 km offers a sensory immersion in the heart of the Petit Luberon starting from Lauris. From the Recaute Valley, the trail winds through garrigue and pine forests, dotted with thyme, rosemary and rockrose, before reaching the Sautadou Combe. Along the way, you'll come across a small dry-stone borie as well as caves and shelters carved by erosion.

Throughout the hike, the panoramas unfold: views over the Durance Valley, sheer cliffs and ridges home to remarkable wildlife. With a bit of luck, you may spot birds of prey, ravens or even the emblematic Bonelli's eagle. In autumn, the warm colors of the garrigue and the golden light on the cliffs make the experience even more striking.

 

With these 6 easy walks, you have a great selection to discover the richness of the Luberon: villages, heritage, garrigue, rivers and panoramic views intertwine to create a gentle and inspiring experience, ideal in autumn or any other season.

Want to extend your outings? Explore all the hikes offered by Destination Luberon or download the GPX tracks for your trips. And if you have tried one of these walks, feel free to share your photos, route adjustments and feedback!

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Lesser-known villages of the Luberon to discover

Step off the beaten path and explore 5 lesser-known villages of the Luberon Regional Nature Park: discreet charm, secret alleys and authentic views.

Between ancient stone, tranquility and soft light, these villages reveal an intimate and sensitive side of the Luberon, far from the crowds.

See the 5 villages

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All Saints' holidays: family activity ideas

Make the most of the holidays to enjoy fun moments with your children: walks, nature workshops, visits and events all across the Luberon.

Nature, discoveries and entertainment await you, away from the crowds, to fully embrace the spirit of the season.

See all activities

Article written on October 24, 2025 • Destination Luberon

About the author

Vérane Mandrou - Web writer for destinationluberon.com

Based in the heart of the Luberon, Vérane writes inspiring content for destinationluberon.com, deeply rooted in the region, showcasing its landscapes, know-how and people.