In the shade and at the foot of Sainte-Baume

A walk at the foot of Sainte-Baume, with little elevation gain and through the forest.

Details

55709749
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.86 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 443 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 423 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,516 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 2,192 ft

Description of the walk

Start from the Hôtellerie car parks, located on the D80.

(S/E) From the Hôtellerie Ouest car park, take the track (south) towards the Sainte-Baume massif and head for the edge of the woods.

(1) Turn right and follow the track to a three-way junction. Take the right-hand fork and continue to the next junction.

(2) Continue straight on until you reach another fork.

(3) Turn sharply left, ignore a path branching off to the right and rejoin the route taken on the way there.

(2) Walk a few metres to the right and take the path on the right. Then continue along a track and rejoin the route you took earlier.

(1) Turn right, then quickly onto the path on the left and head towards an obelisk-shaped monument with inscriptions.

(4) Turn right to climb about 200 m along a wide path and reach a fork.

(5) Continue left along an unmarked path. At the track, rejoin the PR® and head down to the left for about a hundred metres, then find an unmarked path on the right.
(6) Take the unmarked path on the right and follow it to the next fork.

(7) Head down to the left, leaving the Sentier Merveilleux on your right (you’ll take this later), and you’ll soon reach a track.

(8) Follow this track to the right for about 350 m.

(9) Leave the track and take a grassy path on the left leading to a spring. Continue to the right for about 50 metres until you reach a fork.

(10) Head left, walk for about 500 m to reach the junction with the Sentier Merveilleux.

(11) Turn right onto this path, heading in the opposite direction, above the track you took earlier. Return to the path you took earlier and follow it to the right until you reach the track.

(8) Ignore the track and take the path on the left. You’ll reach a four-way junction.

(12) Turn left and head straight on to the Hôtellerie de la Sainte-Baume and its car parks (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 2,195 ft - West Car Park - Hotellerie de la Sainte Baume
  2. 1 : mi 0.36 - alt. 2,224 ft - Edge of the woods
  3. 2 : mi 0.73 - alt. 2,215 ft - Junction A/R
  4. 3 : mi 1 - alt. 2,205 ft - Turn left
  5. 4 : mi 1.94 - alt. 2,201 ft - Monument
  6. 5 : mi 2.1 - alt. 2,310 ft - Start of unmarked path
  7. 6 : mi 2.54 - alt. 2,313 ft - Path on the right
  8. 7 : mi 2.83 - alt. 2,362 ft - Junction
  9. 8 : mi 2.9 - alt. 2,306 ft - Junction A/R
  10. 9 : mi 3.12 - alt. 2,379 ft - Grassy path to the left
  11. 10 : mi 3.61 - alt. 2,467 ft - Junction
  12. 11 : mi 3.92 - alt. 2,493 ft - Sentier Merveilleux
  13. 12 : mi 5.15 - alt. 2,247 ft - Four-way junction
  14. S/E : mi 5.86 - alt. 2,195 ft - West Car Park - Hotellerie de la Sainte Baume

Notes

Some circular loops can be omitted to shorten the route.

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.3 / 5
Based on 5 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.4 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.4 / 5
Route interest
4.2 / 5
User 14792937

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 09, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The appeal of this route lies in the lovely woodland, which is particularly pleasant in summer. The vegetation is somewhat different from that typically found in the region. There are picnic areas.

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Remora
Remora

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 08, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk with very little elevation gain. Most of the route is through woodland, which is very pleasant when it’s over 30°C.

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Claudine Wattrelot
Claudine Wattrelot

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 17, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk through the Sainte-Baume forest, under the trees and with very little elevation gain – something that isn’t always easy to find in the region … The route consists of several circular loops that can be adapted or altered as you wish. Following heavy rain in the days leading up to the walk, some of the paths were thoroughly soaked and we had no choice but to get our feet wet … But very pleasant overall

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phildaix
phildaix

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 17, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Varied undergrowth and, above all, a wealth of flora and deciduous trees. The first part of the hike is truly magnificent.

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randobelix
randobelix

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : May 01, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Shaded circuit - easy - pleasant - muddy after rain....

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