Gorges d'Oppedette

Enjoy some delightful walking in this fine, deep and narrow little gorge north-east of Apt and west of Sisteron.

Everything you might expect of a limestone gorge: sheer cliffs, pinnacles and peculiar formations, cave and plunging holes into which ladders can get you to the gorge floor.

Typical Provencale vegetation of holm oak and mixed forest on the rim, interspersed with meadows and lavender fields further back and with a microclimate down inside the cool and sometimes mysterious depths gorge. Distant views to the Luberon Oriental hills. Bird song is in the air morning and evening, raptors are to be seen.

You can walk both sides of the gorge or parts of its floor, taking in an inspection of the timeless but slightly sad-feeling clifftop village of Oppedette at the western end. Good circuits can be made from Oppedette or the bridge at the eastern end, or indeed the viewpoint carpark half way along the southern side, in 2.5hrs or so.

This is sweaty in Summer and sometimes rough walking.

Thank you to Edward and Gabriella Watson for taking Walkopedia on this delightful walk!