VTT N°11 - Loubière Foothills
The route starts with a physical challenge, climbing up from Saint-Félix-de-Sorgues before continuing through forests and buissières along the foothills of the Loubière Plateau. From farms to hamlets, junipers to fir trees, make your way through a magnificent landscape. And for those who love the thrill of downhill riding, the route offers a moment of pure mountain biking bliss !
2 points of interest
Pont Vieux de Saint-Félix-de-Sorgues - Xavier Waerzeggers 
History and heritageOld Bridge of Saint-Félix-de-Sorgues
The Old Bridge, a true masterpiece of medieval architecture, is one of the symbols of Saint-Félix-de-Sorgues. Stretching about 70 meters, this humpback bridge features three semicircular arches, including a main arch supported by sturdy piers with triangular cutwaters upstream and widened downstream buttresses that create small pedestrian refuges.
Its carefully crafted masonry and precisely assembled vaults likely date from the late 13th or early 14th century. Listed in the national heritage inventory but not formally protected as a historic monument, the bridge now requires maintenance work to preserve both its beauty and structural integrity.
Hameau médiéval de Saint-Caprazy - Xavier Waerzeggers History and heritageSaint-Caprasy Estate
Recorded as early as 1026, Saint-Caprazy is an important historic site in Saint-Félix-de-Sorgues. Around 1150, Gaubert de Saint-Caprazy became the first commander of the Knights Hospitaller of Saint John in Saint-Félix, who maintained their authority there for more than six centuries.
This medieval hamlet still includes several buildings: a dwelling house, a barn, a sheepfold, a chapel, and other agricultural structures, all bearing witness to its rural and religious past.
Description
From the car park opposite the primary school, head straight down to the right towards the Pont Vieux.
- After crossing the Pont Vieux over the Sorgues, turn right onto the road towards Saint-Caprazy and follow it for 900 m. At the bend before the hamlet, take the track on the left for 800 m, then turn right and tackle a steep climb towards the Mas de Souquet farm.
- Instead of following the paved road, take the trail along the contour line, leading to Mas de Gély, which you go around on the right.
- After the cross perched on a wall, continue straight towards the hamlet of La Batisse.
- Once you have gone around the sheepfold, head due west and climb the 1,500 m to the highest point at 730 m.
- At the col, take the trail hidden among the boxwood (buissière), which leads towards Vareilles.
- At the foot of two large fir trees, climb slightly to the right.
- Turn left; about 100 m further on, the trail descends towards Saint-Félix, passing through the medieval hamlet of Saint-Caprazy.
- Departure : Car park in front of the primary school, Saint-Félix-de-Sorgues
- Arrival : Car park in front of the primary school, Saint-Félix-de-Sorgues
- Towns crossed : Saint-Félix-de-Sorgues
Forecast
Altimetric profile
Recommandations
At the start of the descent towards Vareilles, two trees on either side of the buissière (a singletrack bordered by boxwood and oak trees) make the passage particularly narrow. Take care if you have wide handlebars.
The box tree moth is active from May to October. Its caterpillars feed on boxwood leaves, leaving the plants bare. They descend from the trees and move around on threads (which can be annoying when hiking, but are harmless).
Bring a supply of water and suitable clothing.
Information desks
Saint-Affrique Tourist Office
Boulevard Aristide Briand, 12400 Saint-Affrique
OPENING TIMES:
The Tourism Office is open all year round, the opening hours are:
·July and august:
From Monday to Saturday: 9h – 13h & 15h – 19h
Sunday: 9h – 13h
·From September to June:
From Tuesday to Saturday: 9h – 13h & 14h – 17h
Closed: Sundays, Mondays and bank holidays
From November to April, the office is also closed on Saturday afternoon.
Transport
All the information is available on the Tourist Office website.
Access and parking
From St-Affrique drive towards the Sorgues valley via the D7 road up to St-Félix-de-Sorgues (15 km).
Parking :
More information
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