At the foot of Sainte-Victoire towards the Barthélémy Baudino Refuge

A short, challenging hike, starting from Saint-Antonin-sur-Bayon towards the Barthélémy Baudino Refuge, passing through La Marbrière and then the Pas du Clapier. There is a cave along the way. The return route goes round La Torque hill, then follows beautiful DFCI tracks at the foot of Sainte-Victoire. Magnificent scenery throughout the route.

Details

65077394
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.95 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 25 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 563 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 563 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 794 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 439 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the Deux Aiguilles car park on the D17, about 300 m east of the Maison de Sainte-Victoire in Saint-Antonin-sur-Bayon.

(S/E) Cross the road carefully and turn right onto the Noir path, heading towards the Refuge de Baudino. Pass the picnic tables, then arrive at a Y-junction.

(1) Turn left, heading north-north-east. You will come to a fork in the path and a cairn.

(2) Turn right and follow the Brown Trail.

(3) Turn right for a detour to a beautiful cave, then continue on to an X-shaped junction at elevation 555.

(4) Turn left onto the path that climbs towards the former site of La Marbrière, where remains of the quarry can still be seen. Explore the site and rejoin the Brown trail for a steeper climb, with a few rocky sections to cross, which are not difficult. You will reach a junction.

(5) Leave the Green trail on your left and continue on the Brown trail, heading east, which passes beneath the Pas du Clapier. Admire the scenery. After a flat section along the cliffs, begin a descent through the woodland. Then, cross some scree before arriving at the Barthélémy Baudino Refuge.

(6) Head east on the Red trail. After a steep and challenging start to the descent over rocky ground, the trail levels out, descending steadily as it winds around La Torque hill. You’ll reach a junction with a track.

(7) Turn right and follow this track, which alternates between ascents and descents. You’ll reach a Y-junction.

(8) Turn right and head northwards, before turning westwards, then south-westwards. You’ll reach a car park and the D17 road, at an elevation of 465 metres.

(9) Then follow the small path that runs alongside the road on the right. Return to the original junction.

(1) Continue straight ahead and return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 439 m - Deux Aiguilles car park
  2. 1 : km 0.12 - alt. 441 m - Junction of the circular loop
  3. 2 : km 0.57 - alt. 491 m - Fork
  4. 3 : km 0.87 - alt. 497 m - Towards the cave
  5. 4 : km 1.45 - alt. 556 m - Elevation 555m - X-shaped junction
  6. 5 : km 2.54 - alt. 758 m - Trail junction, after the - Pas du Clapier (735m)
  7. 6 : km 4.29 - alt. 791 m - Refuge Barthélémy Baudino
  8. 7 : km 5.46 - alt. 513 m - Track
  9. 8 : km 6.56 - alt. 517 m - Crossroads
  10. 9 : km 9.24 - alt. 465 m - D17. Elevation 465m - Short trail
  11. S/E : km 9.95 - alt. 439 m - Deux Aiguilles car park

Notes

For reference: the author’s time for this route was 3½ hours (excluding breaks).

A very accessible hike. A few stony sections but no particular difficulties.
However, avoid during wet weather.

Worth a visit

Detour to the Pas du Clapier: Green trail.

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 4 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.3 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
Lolivedep2
Lolivedep2

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 08, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk in early April with beautiful views and no particular difficulties.

Machine-translated

laruchewarré
laruchewarré

Overall rating : 4 / 5

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

The first part of the walk to the refuge is challenging and interesting, offering beautiful views of Mont Sainte-Victoire and the Cengle plateau. The return journey to the car park via the DFCI tracks is far less so.

Machine-translated

anneG
anneG

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 25, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We made the most of a lovely day. The route wasn’t too difficult – just take care on the scree
Highly recommended

Machine-translated

Valou13
Valou13

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 03, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A walk enjoyed in beautiful autumn sunshine
A lovely view

Machine-translated

Other walks in the area

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.