Around Saint-Zacharie

A walk through the forest for most of the route, which is particularly enjoyable on these summer days, taking in the Source des Nayes and the Ruisseau de Peyruis – which is unfortunately dry at the moment – with the return route along the banks of the Huveaune.

Details

n°35471877

Creation:
23 Jun 2023

Last update:
27 Jun 2023

Last review:
11 Aug 2025

Activity: Walking
Distance: 5.98 mi
Average duration: 3h 40
Difficulty: Moderate
Back to start: Yes
Ascent: + 1,020 ft
Descent: - 1,040 ft
Highest point: 1,663 ft
Lowest point: 846 ft

Country: France
Area: Sainte-Baume (Massif)
City: Saint-Zacharie (83640)
Start/End: N 43.383971° / E 5.709431°
IGN map(s): Ref. 3344OT, 3345OT
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Description of the walk

The route starts from the car park on Boulevard des Fours, accessible via Rue des Mallonniers, at the eastern exit of Saint-Zacharie.

(S/E) Turn right, reach Boulevard Hoche, then follow the right bank of the Huveaune. You’ll come to a road.

(1) Turn left, follow the road for 150 m, then turn right at the junction onto Chemin des Nayes. Further on, stay on this track by turning left and following the signs for ‘Source des Nayes’. Continue straight on to reach a car park before the Ruisseau de Peyruis.

(2) Turn right, cross a small bridge over the stream and take the uphill track opposite. Follow this track until you reach the Route du Plan d’Aups. Cross it and climb, directly opposite, up a path that winds along the Ruisseau de Peyruis, which is almost dry at the moment (June 2023). The path, which does not always follow the IGN route, eventually reaches a junction; the path leading uphill from here goes to the Chapelle d’Orgnon, which is unfortunately on private land.

(3) Head straight down to the stream and continue straight ahead for 400 m past the stream, until you find a path leading uphill on the left.

(4) Follow this to reach a track. Cross it and head straight ahead, slightly to the right, along a well-marked path until you reach a Y-junction.

(5) Take a path on the left, which leads onto a cross-country track; follow this down to the left.

(6) Just before a bend to the left, take a path on the right, which does not follow the IGN route.
Continue for 400 m until you reach a small crossroads, then turn left. Join a track and turn right onto it, following it for 200 m until you reach a right-hand bend, after passing a meadow on your left.

(7) Turn left and you’ll soon reach a junction.

(8) Turn right, then, almost immediately afterwards, left. Continue straight on until you reach a track. Continue to the right along this track. After about 200 m, turn left onto a path. Continue along this path until you reach the^GR® and follow it, turning right.

(9) Look out for the inconspicuous path on the right and head down into a wooded valley. Reach the Huveaune valley and follow the^GR® to the left. Arrive at Avenue Jean Moulin and follow it to the left.

(10) Turn right towards the Huveaune, cross the footbridge and follow the right bank to reach the car park on Boulevard des Fours (S/E).

Waypoints

S/E : mi 0 - alt. 883 ft - Boulevard des Fours car park
1 : mi 0.17 - alt. 869 ft - Chemin du Plan d’Aups
2 : mi 0.92 - alt. 866 ft - Car park
3 : mi 2.15 - alt. 1,112 ft - Chapel crossroads
4 : mi 2.47 - alt. 1,207 ft - Junction, path on the left
5 : mi 2.83 - alt. 1,512 ft - Junction, path on the left
6 : mi 3.31 - alt. 1,545 ft - Junction, path on the right
7 : mi 3.81 - alt. 1,266 ft - Path on the left
8 : mi 3.9 - alt. 1,234 ft - Crossroads, path on the right
9 : mi 5.19 - alt. 1,201 ft - Junction: GR to the right
10 : mi 5.74 - alt. 886 ft - Turn right towards the - Huveaune (fleuve)
S/E : mi 5.98 - alt. 883 ft - Boulevard des Fours car park

Notes

(2) You can visit the Source des Nayes, located at the far end of the park on the left, before continuing along the track.

Reviews and comments

3.9 / 5

Based on 4 reviews

Reliability of the description
4 / 5

Ease of following the route
3.5 / 5

Route interest
4.3 / 5

Valerie Urbain

11 Aug 2025 at 08:43 7200

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 11, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

This route is more of a trail than a hike. A significant portion is marked as a trail. Be cautious of mountain bikes on the descent, as they do not always signal their presence. Otherwise, it is an ideal route on warm days as it is well shaded.

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francois stéphane

27 Jan 2025 at 12:33 3600

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 27, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very lovely, very shaded walk, but with quite a few junctions where a moment’s inattention can lead to a longer route (which happened to us, but wasn’t a problem). The descent on the way back, on very damp ground, remains very slippery with a steep drop. Worth doing again, perhaps making it a bit longer.

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Claudine Wattrelot

01 Apr 2024 at 10:24 7200

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 01, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

A pleasant walk after some rainy spells, but no problems with muddy paths, especially as a long climb takes place on a stony track… nothing too difficult, but the elevation gain shown at the end was 348m – quite a difference from what was expected…
The site at the Source des Nayes is a lovely spot for a picnic, but as it’s at the start of the walk… it’s then very difficult to find a place to stop…

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Voyageur nature

24 Jul 2023 at 15:29 7200

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 06, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

In summer, it’s hard to find walks that are completely shaded; this one is only partially shaded. It was too hot, so we shortened the route, did a round trip and were therefore able to enjoy the Source des Nayes twice, as there’s water there and it’s a very relaxing spot. At the end of the walk, there’s no shade.

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