The GLR 4 Motorcycle Adventure route - Going Limbo

	Barjac - Sault		201km
	48.4km off-road		April / October

Quick GLR 4 overview

The GLR 4 Motorcycle Adventure Route will lead you for over 201 kilometers through the Ardèche, Drôme, and Vaucluse regions of Southern-France. 48 of those kilometers will traverse over off-road sections. If the going gets tough, The Back-up Tracks will support you with 7 different sections. With a total of 5 connecting GLRs to this GLR 4, you’re able to continue to Adventurise the region. Let’s get going!

GLR 4 Route info

Ready for the lower Alps? Here we go! You’ll start your GLR 4 adventure in Barjac. From there you almost instantaneously hit the off-road up north. After passing the connection point with the GLR 27, you’re east-bound. Via an on-road section, you make a loop around Mont Ventoux. With the Giant of Provence to your left, you continue your way east. The GLR 4 will guide you for over 201 kilometers. The 48 kilometers of off-road sections are rocky, so be prepared! The GLR 4 is best taken to avoid the lower GLR 3, or if you want to gain some experience in the lower Alps, before heading for the real Alps. You’ll end your GLR 4 adventure in Sault, where you can continue your motorcycle Journey in many directions. Check the “connections section” for all your options.

see connections

GLR 4 Region

You’ll Adventurise with the GLR 4 three departments of south-east France. This route starts near the border with Ardèche in the department of Gard. From there on you Adventurise the departments of Drôme and Vaucluse sequentially. You end your adventure near the border with the department of Alpes-de-Haute-Provence.

Ardèche

The Vivarais, as the Ardèche is locally called, is named after the Ardèche river. The department is part of the larger Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. The area has been inhabited at least since the Upper Paleolithic and is famous for its cave paintings. The Ardèche department didn’t develop major cities due to the lack of industrialization in the 19th century. The industry moved further upstream to bigger cities such as Lyon. Nowadays this is still a cause of the inaccessibility of the region.

The region doesn’t know any high-speed transportation methods. Ardèche at its widest does not exceed a width of 75 kilometers. Therefore, because of its elongated shape, it knows many natural regions. From the mountains in the west to the plateau of the Coirons in the south-east. One remarkable feature is the Valley of the Rhône, a straight corridor running from the south, up to the north. Creating a funnel-like effect, exaggerating the effects of the cold wind from the north. Also known as the Mistral.

The region is also known for its other weather phenomena such as la Burle, which are very violent winds during autumn and winter. September and October are known for its rainfall.

Drôme

Like many other departments, Drôme is named after the river which flows through the region. Drôme is also known as the northern gate to the Provence. You notice this by the many medieval castles, natural features, and the climate which gradually transitions. Drôme surrounds an exclave in the south, which belongs to the Vaucluse department.

The department can be split in two regarding its weather features. The north knows a more continental oriented climate. If you progress to the south, the Mediterranean climate gets overhand. Funny is that for us as Adventurisers, that the summers see more precipitation than the winters. This is caused again by the transition between the humid Mediterranean air and the somewhat colder northern winds. But don’t be fooled, the winters aren’t easier to ride! With an average temperature of 3°C in January, the winters are cold!

Vaucluse

This region is named after its famous spring which bears its identical name. In Latin, it loosely translates into “closed valley”, as the valley ends in a cliff face from which emanates a spring whose origin is so deep that it remains to be defined. This sense of mystery surrounds the entire region. From its prefecture Avignon to its enclave in the Drôme region.

This enclave called “canton of Valréas” or also known as “enclaves des Papes”, was the home of several popes in the 14th century. Nowadays it’s an enclave, surrounded by the neighboring department of Drôme.

A significant part of the east of the region is mountainous. It’s here where you find the Giant of Provence, the Mont Ventoux. In the more southern part of the region, you find fertile grounds with fruits and lavender fields as far as the eye can see.

Adventurising isn’t only about getting as fast from A to B! A Region has so much more to offer! That’s why I give you some suggestions about things to do while Adventurising the GLR 4.

Pont d’Arc

The Pont d’Arc is a large natural bridge, located 5 km from the town of Vallon-Pont-d’Arc. The arch is 59 meters wide and 34 m high at the top of the opening. The perfect spot to have a little rest during the day!
more info

Dentelles de Montmirail

This chain of mountains is located just south of the village of Vaison-la-Romaine. The jagged shape of their peaks is something to behold. I would recommend visiting these peaks in the late afternoon to enjoy them at sunset.
more info

Les Gorges Du Toulourenc

Time to cool off during a hot summer day! Just relax a little near the water, or explore the ankle-deep gorges on foot! I would recommend bringing some shoes as the rocks can be quite sharp!
more info

Mont Ventoux

TThis is the highest mountain in the region. At a height of 1909 meters it stands out in the surroundings. Also known as the Beast of Provence, record-holding wind speeds are measured at 320 km/h at its peak. Just spend a day discovering this mighty mountain on foot.
more info

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Continue your GLR 4 Adventure by connecting different GLRs. To make your life even simpler, I’ve put together all the options down below!

Connections in Barjac

In Barjac your adventure has the option to continue in 3 directions! Take the GLR 1 west. This 226-kilometer long route leads you over a total of 61 kilometers of off-road sections. Follow this route if you want to explore the rolling hills of the French Ardèche and the Cévenne.

To GLR 1

Head down south with the GLR 2. This GLR functions as a connection between the Camargue region of GLR 3. This GLR 2 stretches over 140 kilometers. Be prepared to spend a day on this one! With around 40 km of off-road sections, it’s an adventurous one.

To GLR 2

At last, you have the option to head up north with the GLR 27. This highway to the Higher Alps functions as a connection GLR to the GLR 28, which leads almost straight to the famous Mont Blanc. The GLR 27 sports 195 km of road- and off-road sections.

To GLR 27

Connections in Sault

You’ve enjoyed the GLR 4 and you’re ready for more? Take the GLR 5 down south. The GLR 5 has some amazing sandy sections which make you feel like a real Adventuriser! This 104-kilometer long route has a total of almost 40 km of off-road sections.

To GLR 5

Heading for the Higher Alps? Take the GLR 7 to get in the mood. This 416-kilometer long GLR 7 leads you east towards Saint-Sauveur. With 107 km of off-road sections is an Adventure worthy route!

To GLR 7

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As an Adventuriser you get access to our special Back-up Tracks for the GLR-network. These routes function as a back-up when the going gets tough. In the event you need to circumnavigate a piece of the original GLR, the Back-Up Track will lead you via paved road to the next section.

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