Cucuron–Vaugines circular route, around the Rocher de Curet

This circular loop offers beautiful views of Mont Sainte-Victoire and the Durance valley along well-marked and varied paths.

Details

42389106
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.51 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 232 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 238 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 582 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 380 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Access by car is possible via the road from Cucuron to Vaugines, then the second small road on the right. There is space to park two cars.

(S/E) Take the path heading due north along a field of olive trees on the right.

(1) Turn left at the hairpin bend onto a small path that is poorly marked at the very start. This path climbs up a small valley and then passes some ruined houses. At the 582m mark, there is a beautiful view over the Durance valley and Sainte-Victoire. At the crossroads, take a good path heading due north for about a hundred metres.

(2) Turn left onto a small, very steep path for a few metres. Be careful, as the path is not very well marked for about a hundred metres. It runs along the mountainside and is then very well marked until you reach a spot offering a very clear view of the Rocher de Curet and Roque Rousse.

(3) Continue along the path, heading generally south, until you reach a junction.

(4) Turn left onto the tarmac road called Chemin de Roque Rousse. In the bend, keep to the right to follow a path heading north-east. You’ll reach a Y-shaped junction.

(5) Turn right to follow the forest track that runs alongside a large estate. Continue to the next junction.

(6) Take the small road on the left (Chemin de l'Héritage) to return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 404 m - Car park
  2. 1 : km 1.05 - alt. 469 m - Path on the left
  3. 2 : km 2.04 - alt. 581 m - Turn left
  4. 3 : km 3.24 - alt. 506 m - Viewpoint
  5. 4 : km 4.16 - alt. 392 m - Chemin de Roque Rousse - Église Saint-Barthélémy de Vaugines
  6. 5 : km 4.75 - alt. 429 m - Forest track on the right
  7. 6 : km 5.89 - alt. 382 m - Chemin de l'Héritage - Donjon Saint-Michel de Cucuron
  8. S/E : km 6.51 - alt. 402 m - Car park - Chapelle de l'Ermitage

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 4 reviews

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

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

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

I agree with the two messages that have just been deleted. It is impossible to find marker 2 without the app. However, a GPS is not essential. Point 5, as described, has disappeared following the felling of trees. You have to continue 100 metres further, to a Y-junction, and then take the path again.
There are beautiful views between markers 2 and 3.
Beware of the Mistral wind during winter. Ideal hike in the spring and autumn.

Machine-translated

LACeuro
LACeuro

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

A superb little walk in nature with a slight incline.
Hike shared with hunters.

Machine-translated

philippe le berre
philippe le berre

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 25, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Nice walk, just one unclear point on the route

Machine-translated

Serjus
Serjus

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

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

A short walk, but not necessarily an easy one.
The route and description are clearly written, no problem.
Thank you!

Machine-translated

amilhatb
amilhatb

The moderator is indeed correct about assigning the message to the right hike.
It’s a valid point. The section at point (5) that you need to find is on the left, just above the cliff; there’s a step to take—not difficult if you can spot two small steps, or rather fairly wide ledges. You have to look for them.
I think one of them must have been carved out by hunters
The first time I went that way, I was on my own, and hunters must have been passing through; the tracks were probably more visible then.
To the moderator: should I be more specific about the difficulties encountered?
Should I publish the hikes I do? After all, whilst my aim is simply to get from A to B, I don’t choose the easiest routes. I really enjoy going ‘off-piste’. That’s why I leave the paths, as in the other hike I posted where I looked for a ‘shortcut’ through some rather unpleasant heath.

Machine-translated

Voyageur nature
Voyageur nature
• Edited:

The information I have just provided relates to the walk: From the cistern to Vaugines via the Rocher de Curet (6.19 km), not the Cucuron-Vaugines circular route around the Rocher de Curet (6.51 km).

Machine-translated

Voyageur nature
Voyageur nature
• Edited:

A challenging hike to find your way around; a GPS is essential, as the paths are barely visible. It took us ages to find point 5, then we turned back – the narrow passage along the cliff edge was too dangerous for us.

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.