Around Marinas, the Chinese Camp from Meyrargues

Easy walk on little-used tracks and paths.

Details

8258549
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 11.69 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 20 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 355 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 350 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 452 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 226 m
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ City: Meyrargues (13650)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 43.633769° / E 5.532532°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 3243OT, 3244ET
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Photos

Description of the walk

Park south of the Meyrargues cemetery.

(S/E) Go around it through the meadow, with a view of the remains of the Roman aqueduct, to reach the road leading up to the Liquette housing estate. At the housing estate, join the end of the tarmac road.

(1) Take the track on the left. At the next crossroads, turn onto the track on the right and climb up to a small pass. Enjoy the view of the Durance valley from here.

(2) Follow the hairpin bends down to the canal, or take the shortcuts.
When you reach the bridge over the canal, continue for a few metres until you come to another trail junction.

(3) Turn right to climb up the valley. You will reach a place called Pissolier.

(4) Continue along the track on the right, climbing a long but gentle slope to reach a Y-junction at the Recuelles plateau.

(5) Take the left track, pass a small pass, and at the crossroads of tracks, turn left to reach Camp Chinois.

(6) Go around the old field, taking the steep path uphill. Join a wider track.

(7) Take it to the right, then left at the next junction. Leave this track and take the path opposite, crossing the track towards a clearly marked cairn to reach the Camino del Damos sign.

(8) Follow this very pleasant, shaded path down into the Vallon du Petit. Join the track on the right bank of the Torrent du Pas de l'Étroit. Take it to the right, then reach the Pas de l'Étroit site via the tarmac road.

(9) Continue northwards. It is possible to avoid the tarmac by following the bottom of the valley (not compulsory).
Pass in front of the Roman Aqueduct before returning to the Meyrargues cemetery car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 251 m - Meyrargues cemetery car park - Aqueduc romain de Meyrargues
  2. 1 : km 0.67 - alt. 278 m - La Liquette
  3. 2 : km 1.41 - alt. 310 m - Unnamed pass
  4. 3 : km 2.88 - alt. 226 m - EDF Canal
  5. 4 : km 3.78 - alt. 275 m - Place known as Pissolier
  6. 5 : km 5.47 - alt. 400 m - Recuelles Plateau
  7. 6 : km 6.58 - alt. 336 m - The Chinese Camp. Near the - Canal du Verdon
  8. 7 : km 7.58 - alt. 447 m - Elevation 448
  9. 8 : km 8.29 - alt. 449 m - Camino del Damos
  10. 9 : km 10.91 - alt. 284 m - Pas de l'Étroit
  11. S/E : km 11.69 - alt. 251 m - Meyrargues cemetery car park

Worth a visit

(S/E) The Roman aqueduct of Meyrargues.
(2) View of the middle Durance valley.
(6) The Chinese Camp was actually home to Vietnamese people, recruited to work for France between October 1939 and May 1940. It is located in an isolated cirque and has remained inhabited.
(9) View of the Meyrargues calanques and passage through the Pas de l'Étroit gorge.

Reviews and comments

4.2 / 5
Based on 13 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.4 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.2 / 5
Route interest
3.9 / 5
natduv84
natduv84

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 30, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

A pleasant but unspectacular route, followed using the app
At the start and finish, Meyrargues Castle and the ruins of the aqueduct are well worth a look
I’d give it an average rating as there’s quite a bit of climbing for very few views, which is a shame

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Biquette13
Biquette13

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 02, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful route.
An interesting variation is to do it in reverse: at point 9, climb up the path (blue markings) that starts at the foot of the last pillar of the aqueduct and leads to the lookout point. From there, you have a 360° view. The access track to the lookout point takes you back to point 8.

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nefertilou13
nefertilou13

For trainhub: I did not say that I did not see the Chinese camp, I only said that I did not see a sign indicating it.

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trainhub
trainhub

Sorry, but the markings are there, and sometimes you need to check them against a map or GPS.
Reading the terrain is important for this route, which is complex (lots of tracks around) and requires a good eye, but in my opinion it's not difficult.
Can't see the Chinese camp?
I don't know how to answer that.

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nefertilou13
nefertilou13

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 16, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A little-used route; mainly track; no signposting; the Chinese camp is not marked.

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trainhub
trainhub

Route mapped out by the club, varied and easy for experienced walkers, beautiful scenery and a 360° view of the Durance valley (Luberon, Mirabeau bridge, Etoile, etc.).
At the end of the route, there is a track used by downhill cyclists who can reach very high speeds.
Be careful of what is behind you
At the very end, a protected area for a species of birds (nesting areas) is now closed all year round, forcing you to detour towards the castle
which does not detract from the charm of this hike

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nicky51
nicky51

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 06, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Very pleasant hike – two good climbs along the route
Completed in 2 hours 20 minutes instead of the advertised 4 hours 20 minutes

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trainhub
trainhub

Hello
Yesterday's hike with the club was a reconnaissance mission
Very beautiful, the view from the lookout point is magnificent
Note that the descent into the vallon du petit has been modified by mountain bikers and has become a speed track. Be careful if you encounter mountain bikers coming downhill
Beyond that, the surroundings and the bends are a hazard in these hills.
Hubert

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1950bba
1950bba

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 12, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

There are few views, except at point 2 (beautiful panorama of the Durance valley, which is often only known for its motorway), but this walk is still very pleasant, at least at this time of year and during the week: tracks (but without green motorbikes, quads or hunters) or well-marked paths, moderate slopes, lush greenery despite the drought. Ideal for an old man like me.

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FlorianD.
FlorianD.

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 01, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Very pleasant hike with clean, shaded trails at times, lovely views
A wonderful discovery
I recommend combining it with the "Boucle autour du vallon du Pas de l'étroit" hike to make a complete circular loop that returns to the same starting point. This allows you to avoid the Pas de l'Etroit, which is largely paved.

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Cri/Lau
Cri/Lau

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 13, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Hello, enjoy your walk, no complaints.
Have a nice day.

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POULIN Gérard
POULIN Gérard ★

Hello MimiRoro,
Thank you for reporting this error. The change has been made.

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MimiRoro
MimiRoro

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 27, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

At point 7, when you reach the track, you must turn right, not left.

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phildaix
phildaix

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 01, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant hike, especially on the descent from the Pas de l'Etroit and on arrival at the aqueduct. No particular difficulties: the new route description no longer takes you through private property. Just one clarification: at WP7, you obviously need to turn right and not left, contrary to what is indicated on the map. Then you go straight ahead and end up crossing a track at the cairn.

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crabourdin
crabourdin

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 11, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The dogs at the Chinese camp forced us to turn back... We avoided them by taking a detour along the track.

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