Grande Randonnée 4: Mondragon to Simiane-la-Rotonde (East Segment)

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Unknown

Mountain biking on the summit of Mont Ventoux is tightly regulated to protect the mountain's unique flora and fauna (a remarkable 1,250 species of plants, and 120 species of birds). Due to bad behavior by downhillers, it is illegal to ride on the GR4 above treeline; watch for signs to be sure you are on an open section, but the signs are regularly vandalized so don't continue into the reserve in any case. Hiking is the shortest--and probably fastest--way to tag the peak from this route.

Or skip the summit: some say the name Ventoux comes from "venteux," the French for "windy," and reflects the mountain's exposure to the fierce (and cold) north-west Mistral wind. This wind blows 130 days a year on average and can reach speeds of over 90 km/hr (56 miles/hr). The record at the mountain top, in 1967, was 313 km/hr (194 miles/hour)! Check the wind forecast here, or current conditions here.

The Grande Randonnée (GR) is a network of long-distance footpaths in Europe, mostly in France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Spain. The trails in France alone cover approximately 60,000 kilometres (37,000 mi). Trails are blazed with characteristic marks consisting of a white stripe above a red stripe. These appear regularly along the route, especially at places like forks or crossroads.

As much as is reasonable, GRs avoid pavement while taking in interesting villages, historic sites, and natural areas. For instance, this GR4 trail segment traverses the summit of Mont Ventoux, the tallest peak in Provence and an iconic Tour de France stage. But you'll have to walk that section: due to bad behavior by downhillers, the peak is closed to MTB through the Biosphere Reserve.

If you do walk or ride the paved road to visit the moon-like summit, you'll find a small chapel, a simple restaurant for a pasta carbo-load lunch, a gift shop, and a punch clock for roadies to validate their cycling time to the top.

Other sections of this long-distance trail segment run through undeveloped hills, scrub, and forests and can be used to link together other tracks and trails into good rides. Between the wilder areas, many of the dirt and gravel sections of this GR4 segment are useful for accessing MTB trails and terrain without having to ride on busy main roads with cars.