The Portalas trail
« I love the contrast between the cedars which by their size and beauty, releasea sense of calm and peace, and the herbaceous vegetation in open areas of the summit’s plateau so dry and windy. The view from Portalas allows you to see the south side of the Petit Luberon and its valley bottoms of holm oaks. Lastly, the nearby rocky areas are home to several species of raptors. Let's just say lots of excitement! ». Laurent Michel, botanist at the RNP of Luberon.
14 points of interest
FloraThe Cedar forest
In 1862, cedar seeds from the Algerian Atlas are sown by some convicted foresters, to try to reforest the summit of the Petit Luberon. This first generation of cedars are now 150 years old and have an imposing figure and are great-grandparents.Their descendants surround them and form the forest we know today.
Savoir-faireYoung people will inform you
Between July 1 and August 31, you will meet on this trail one of the 36 assistants trained for the prevention and monitoring of forest fires (APSIF). These young people are recruited and trained by the Luberon Regional Nature Park to raise awareness about the risks of fires but also to inform on the regulations and access to the forest. It is essential to ensure the good behaviour of the users and to reduce the risk of fires.
Patrimony and history1952, the big fire
On July 18, 1952, the Luberon mountain range experienced the biggest and most catastrophic fire in its history. It destroyed 2030ha of forest, particularly affecting the towns of Lacoste, Bonnieux and Ménerbes and sparing only the heart of the cedar forest. The fire lasted seven days because of the Mistral (wind). Some old cedars bear the scars of this devastating fire, and others, seeming spared on the outside are charred inside.
Elevage et pastoralismeGuardians of the rich natural heritage
The action of the sheep herd in the winter and spring, combined with bush clearing, contains the expansion of shrubs and ensures the preservation of this exceptional heritage that represents the lawns of the Luberon ridges. Pastoralism is also essential to the defence of forests against fire.
- Flora
Boxwood: Yesterday's fertiliser
Recognizable by its foliage, evergreen and glossy, it is rich in nitrogen. Used until the beginning of the last century as animal litter, it was then common in the fields as nitrogen fertilizer. Inedible for the flock, the abandonment of this practice and the decline of pastoralism favoured the invasion of open areas by boxwood. It has an exceptional durability because it can live 5 to 6 centuries and reach several metres high.
- Flora
Fraxinella or "Burning bush"
In May, you can discover here the beautiful fraxinella (Dictamnus albus), with leaves ressembling those of the Ash (Fraxinus = Ash in Latin). The entire plant is covered with glands smelling like cinnamon and lemon. It is said that these glands release a volatile oil naturally flammable in hot and muggy weather, hence the other nickname of the plant: "burning bush". Warning, : picking is prohibited because the plant is rare and protected in our region!
- Flora
Flower of tales
The Rampion bellflower (campanula rapunculus) is recognizable by its bell-shaped and dangling blue flowers placed along the stem to form a long bunch. Before blossoming, it has a great taste and can be eaten in salads. It is in fact the famous plant that treats the queen in the tale of the Brothers Grimm adapted by Disneywho then gives the name to her daughter and princess, Rapunzel.
- Flora
Ophrys of Sarato
The Ophrys are orchids of particularly aesthetic and complex forms, the lower petal called the "labellum", mimics the hairy body of wild bees. Attracted by these forms and the scent copying the pheromones of female bees, the male bees after being tricked, go from flower to flower transferring pollen. The Ophrys of Sarato (Ophrys saratoi), is present on these lawns during spring, a protected species, endemic to Provence and Dauphiné (Picking is prohibited!).
FaunaThe iconic Egyptian vulture
The Luberon is one of the safe havens in France for this rare and protected vulture. A true natural knacker, it is threatened by the decline of herds and the depletion of food resources. To ensure the survival of this species, the Luberon Park ensures the supply of several feeding stations and has set up a specific device for monitoring, observation and conservation management.
GeologyMourre Nègre
The Aiguebrun river, which originates from the Claparèdes plateau, has carved the Luberon mountain range, from north to south, digging the Lourmarin valley. It separates the Grand Luberon, with its rounded shapes culminating in Mourre Negro, from the Petit Luberon of which limestone summit plateau bears the Cedar Forest.
PanoramaThe Portalas viewpoint
This viewpoint offers a wonderful view of the south side of the Petit Luberon and its maze of valleys and then on the vast plain of the Durance. 200 000 years ago, this river was a stream that ran through the Lamanon threshold to go into the sea, building its delta at the current location of the Crau plain.
- Flora
From Matorral (shrubland) to Phoenician juniper
The Phoenician juniper (Juniperus phoenicea) is a small conifer tree somewhat resembling the cypress because of its scaled leaves. Specialist of exposed rocky areas: walls, ledges, viewpoints... its inaccessibility sometimes allows it to live many centuries away from the hand of man and plant competition! In Portalas, it forms a beautiful "matorral", a term used in ecology referring to an open formation of trees and evergreen shrubs.
- Geology
Arch of Portalas
Nature and especially the work of water have shaped this magnificent arch! The Portalas Arch corresponds to an ancient underground network that erosion uncovered. This paleo-network was also dug by rainwater, which has slowly dissolved the limestone by seeping in the subsoil.
- Flora
The forest exploited by man
Strong and fragrant, naturally weather-resistant, cedar wood is valued since ancient times. Here, the communal cedar forests of Ménerbes, Lacoste and Bonnieux are managed by the National Forestry Office (300ha). They are exploited regularly by thinnings which produces lumber, while ensuring the renewal of the forest. Cedar is used locally for carpentry and construction.
Description
Go to the far end of the car park, cross the barrier by the dedicated pedestrian crossing and reach the welcome sign. Continue a few metres to reach to the starting area of the Portalas trail.
1 - Go to the left on the Portalas trail, yellow arrow. Continue about thirty metres on the itinerary accessible to people with disabilities and take a right at the labyrinth and its maze of decking. Come a little further back on the main route and regain the area of interpretation on pastoralism. Exit the "Chemin des Cèdres" trail to take the path on the left. 20m further, turn right and go down slowly to the shaded valley. After the well-marked left hand turn, continue descending for 600m. Upon arriving at a coal production site (point 623), leave the valley and take a right on a winding path.
2 - At the crossroads "Le Portalas", turn right. Continue on the path between boxwoods and oaks. Just after a rocky ledge, turn left and climb a steep path to reach the edge of the plateau and its panoramic view.
3 - Continue straight on the plateau and 70m further, turn right. Follow the path that goes into the woods. Continue straight until the paved forest path.
4 - At the crossroads "Bois Roustan” turn right and follow the forest track to return to the car park.
Alternative route for the return: from the crossroads "Bois Roustan" (point 4), return to the car park following in the opposite direction the "Chemin des Cèdres" trail that winds through the woods behind the interpretation area "Forest exploited by man".
- Departure : Parking area of the cedar forest of the Petit Luberon
- Arrival : Parking area of the cedar forest of the Petit Luberon
- Towns crossed : Bonnieux, Lacoste, and Puget
Forecast
Altimetric profile
Recommandations
Caution with your ankles and some of the rocky passages.
Information desks
House of the Luberon Regional Nature Park
60, place Jean Jaurès, 84400 Apt
In the heart the old town centre of Apt, the House of the Luberon Regional Nature Park welcomes you in a town house of the 18th century. The permanent exhibition of the geology museum has a rich collection of fossils evidencing the geological history of the Luberon.
On sale at the shop: books, maps, guidebooks, games, posters...
Open Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 12:00 pm and from 1:30 pm to 6 pm (and on Saturday, depending on the program). Free admission.
Luberon UNESCO Global Geopark
60, place Jean Jaurès, 84400 Apt
OTI Pays d’Apt Luberon
788 avenue Victor Hugo, 84400 Apt
Du 1er avril au 30 septembre
Ouvert du lundi au samedi de 9h30 à 12h30 et de 14h à 18h.
Juillet et août : Ouvert dimanche et jours fériés de 9h30 à 12h30
Du 1er octobre au 31 mars
Ouvert du lundi au mardi et du jeudi au samedi de 9h30 à 12h30 et de 14h à 18h.
Fermé le mercredi, dimanche et jours fériés.
Access and parking
At 8km from Bonnieux taking the D36 and 15km from Lourmarin taking the D945, the D36 and the route des crêtes of the forest of Cedars of the Petit Luberon.
Parking :
Source
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