Above Volx

The village of Volx is known throughout Europe for its climbing guide, which has recently been redesigned and made safer.
At the start of the hike, you will see the climbing walls on your right.
At the end of the Capellane climb (it's steep), you will be rewarded with a beautiful view overlooking the village.
Then you will have a superb view of the Durance valley on your left.

Details

94337
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 4.28 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 00 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 270 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 270 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 696 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 417 m
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐
    Area: Luberon
  • ⚐ District: Volx (04130)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 43.881418° / E 5.839535°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 3342OT
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Photos

Description of the walk

To park, drive through the old town of Volx via Rue du Greffe, then Rue Pierre et Marie Curie. When you start going downhill after a 90° bend, turn left immediately at the bottom of the small descent to reach the car park.

On foot, walk up, cross the road and take Montée Capellane. It's a beautiful climb. At the end of this street, take the path straight ahead (called Chemin d'Interprétation).
Continue straight ahead; the paths on the right lead to the climbing sites.

(1) Take a path downhill to the left and continue straight ahead.
You will descend to the left via a hairpin bend; a yellow sign will indicate the Fontamauri ravine.
You will pass two paths on the left and one on the right as you continue straight ahead.

You will come to a fork (2). Take Chemin des Fontaines on the left. Follow this path to the end.

Take the Montée des Heaths (3) on the right and immediately left onto Boulevard Jean Jaurès.
(4) When you reach the first intersection, go up the stairs on your left.

Turn right, and 50 metres further on, on your left, at the end of the car park, climb the stairs to reach your car.

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 426 m
  2. 1 : km 1.73 - alt. 692 m - Path descending to the left
  3. 2 : km 3.15 - alt. 490 m - Chemin des Fontaines
  4. 3 : km 3.88 - alt. 439 m - Towards the Montée des Heaths
  5. 4 : km 4.18 - alt. 417 m - Stairs to access your vehicle
  6. S/E : km 4.28 - alt. 426 m

Notes

Always wear good shoes, bring water and plasters for minor injuries.
Avoid hiking during the three summer months due to the heat.

Worth a visit

If you are not familiar with rock climbing, take a break from your route and go and watch these athletes climbing the walls.
Manosque, the birthplace of Jean Giono, is 4 km after Volx.

Reviews and comments

4.4 / 5
Based on 17 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.4 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.2 / 5
User 27989889

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 01, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful walk above the village of Volx in autumn. Perfect weather with magnificent colours. Well-marked trail overall. Passages between mountain slopes and wooded areas, magnificent views throughout the route, a complete change of scenery when passing through the Fontamauri ravine, ending up in the heart of the olive groves. Be careful, however, of the continuous uphill climb at the start of the route; the view of the Durance valley is well worth the effort.

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Amelie83
Amelie83

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 10, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful walk, with magnificent views throughout the first part and woodland paths in the second. Just be careful of the gradient – I didn't pay attention to the initial 1.5 km climb, and then it was all downhill. You need to take it slowly, but it's worth it!

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yanqinSU
yanqinSU

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 31, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very quiet trail with beautiful autumn views and a view of the entire village of VOLX

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clubderandonnées
clubderandonnées

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 02, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A pleasant, easy hike with excellent signage.
Thank you for the route

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martman
martman

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 10, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Be aware that there are many horseflies on this route in summer. We continued beyond point 1 to the yellow earth and descended via the same route. The descent is superb but slippery (stones).

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loran05
loran05

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 08, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Correction, I did it in that sense

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loran05
loran05

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 08, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

I did this hike yesterday in the opposite direction in just two hours, with a detour via La Garde, which I think is well worth it. The path is not difficult, but it is rocky, so be careful on the descent. The advantage of doing it in the opposite direction is that the descent is gentler. Thank you for the route in any case

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SitMoutSteph
SitMoutSteph

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 14, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very pretty walk, which we did in the opposite direction to the directions given. Up to the La Garde crossroads, it's quite a steep climb, so you need to take your time. Then the return via the charcoal kilns, the yellow earth and the olive groves is very peaceful.
We did it with our daughters (aged 11), who are used to nature. I was the last one
I highly recommend it!

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Nature04180
Nature04180

A very beautiful hike
At the top of the high-altitude trail (750 m), there is a magnificent view of Volx, the Durance valley, the Forcalquier region and its Lure mountain, and finally the Alps
Be careful, though, as the trail is very slippery (pebbles)
Be sure to wear sturdy footwear
Highly recommended

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reilmi
reilmi

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 23, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A very pleasant hike between rocks and scrubland, with a beautiful view of Volx and the Durance valley. The climb is not difficult but long for those who are thinking of going for a stroll.

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reilmi
reilmi

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 23, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A very pleasant hike between rocks and scrubland, with a beautiful view of Volx and the Durance valley. The climb is not difficult but long for those who are thinking of going for a stroll.

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Santaromania
Santaromania

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 31, 2012
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A very beautiful walk.
We were blessed with superb weather and extraordinary views (thanks to the good signposting, we did an extra little circular at the summit (La Garde); the multitude of routes makes it very easy to modify the hike).
It's true, it's a fairly steep and rocky route, but it's a hike, not a walk.
A very good memory with lots of beautiful photos and, above all, images in our minds.

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gazok54
gazok54 ★

Thank you, rossemario
We're in the same age group .... There are dangers everywhere, but personally I find crossing a road more dangerous than stones on the path.
Enjoy your future hikes.

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rossemario
rossemario

yes, it's mostly the problem of the stones!!! Well, we're approaching sixty, so we're much less confident, but still!!! I find the descent towards the end difficult

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gazok54
gazok54 ★

Thank you, rossemario
You are the first person to write to us saying that this hike is "very disappointing". Is it because of the rocks along the route? Is that also why you say it is difficult and dangerous?

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