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You have been in the Luberon region for a week, but today for the first time you climb into and over the Luberon hills themselves. Although impressive in appearance, and surprisingly wild in places, this is the lower end of the chain, and with a maximum elevation of 704m today's hike isn't exactly a huge challenge.

However, you will have some excellent views all the way back to Viens, as well as forward to the rocky hills of the Alpilles across the Durance River... the last two barriers between you and the end of the H2H. On the way down, you'll go through the narrow Gorges du Régalon before spending the night in the village of Mérindol.

Tomorrow, with anticipation building ahead of your arrival in St.-Rémy, I suspect that you will be excited, but tonight you may well be subdued and pensive. The end of an epic journey draws nigh, and thus also the end of a fellowship forged by a thousand remarkable experiences, both good and bad....

Route
Today's hike is identical with the GR6/GR97, until you branch off to go down the Gorges du Régalon. From Robion head east along the edge of the Luberon hills to Oppède-le-Vieux. Turn right here and climb up over the Luberon, leaving the GR6/GR97 to go down the Gorges du Régalon. At the end of the Gorges turn east once more for a last hour of hiking into Mérindol.

Alternatives: if the weather is or has been wet, the Gorges du Régalon may be impassible. In this case, continue along the GR6 as it takes a different set of trails to Mérindol.
Map: IGN-3142OT Cavaillon.

Journal
The House to House blog... stage 90.

Photos
<A couple of representative photos from this stage will be added here after the hike>
In the meantime, click here to go to all of the H2H photos on Flickr.

GPS Track
<To be added during or after hike>

Room and Board Options
Lunch: picnic.
Dinner and overnight: there are a number of places to stay in Mérindol. For a partial list, focussing on B&Bs, see here. Other unlisted alternatives include: the Hotel Auberge Bellevue (+33-(0)4.90.72.94.54. 9 rooms), La Bougainvillee (+33-(0)4.90.72.82.72, 2 rooms, B&B), the Bastide Dou Pastre (+33(0)4.90.72.92.99, 6 rooms, B&B), and the Appel du Sud / Mas de petite Garrigue (+33-(0)4.90.72.92.13, 6 places, B&B).

Getting There and Back
Robion: from Cavaillon, where there is a railway station, you can take a taxi the 6km to Robion (for taxi information, see here, and for train schedule information, see the SNCF).
Mérindol: take a taxi the 20km to Cavaillon.
ViaMichelin Road Map and Driving Directions: centered on Robion, centered on Mérindol.

Background Information and Links
Many and various...

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