Caume Circular Route

Circular route in the heart of the Alpilles that takes you along the ridges of the Caume. It offers unobstructed views stretching from the Crau plain to Mont Ventoux.
You will no doubt be flown over by gliders taking off from the small Romanin airport at the foot of the Caume

Details

21708342
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 16.48 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 6h 00 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 465 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 460 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 389 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 116 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Start from the Pont Romain car park in Eygalières on the D24.

(S/E) From the Pont Romain car park, simply follow theGR® 6 route north-westwards, which winds its way through vineyards and woodland.

(1) Keep an eye out so as not to miss the point where thisGR® leaves the track to head south under the trees and climb steeply towards the Col de Vallongue. This climb is very rocky but well marked.

(2) Stay on theGR® which heads west and follows the ridge (a very rocky path with a series of ascents and descents, some of which are quite steep) before reaching the Plateau de la Caume where it widens. You are then treated to a very open landscape.

(3) When you reach the road coming from the antennas, you can avoid a long bend by taking the shortcut that starts straight ahead. Return to the road.

(4) Continue left along the road until you reach a junction with several tracks and paths.

(5) Take the first track that descends to the right along the valley.

(6) Just before the gate, leave theGR®6and take the track that climbs to the right (generally speaking, you should follow this direction eastwards at the foot of the rocky ridge. Several tracks and paths lead in the right direction.

(7) At the edge of a wood, in a clearing, head down to the left and across the meadow to join the track you can see.

(8) Continue to the right.

(9) At a left-hand bend, take the track that branches off to the right (if you take the wrong one, you’ll end up in an olive grove; simply head back up to find the right path) and carry on.

(10) At a three-way junction, continue to take the track heading to the right and follow this main track until you rejoin theGR® coming from the left.

(11) All you have to do is follow the red and white markings straight ahead to return to the junction you passed on the way out.

(1) Retrace your steps along the route you took on the way there to reach the Roman bridge (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 120 m - Roman Bridge car park - Gaudre de Romanin (rivière)
  2. 1 : km 2.68 - alt. 136 m - GR to the left
  3. 2 : km 3.24 - alt. 253 m - Col de Vallongue
  4. 3 : km 7.15 - alt. 379 m - Shortcut
  5. 4 : km 7.33 - alt. 331 m - Turn left
  6. 5 : km 7.79 - alt. 291 m - Crossroads
  7. 6 : km 9.35 - alt. 144 m - Uphill track
  8. 7 : km 10.06 - alt. 142 m - Descend into the meadow
  9. 8 : km 10.16 - alt. 134 m - Find a track
  10. 9 : km 10.67 - alt. 129 m - Turn right
  11. 10 : km 11.01 - alt. 143 m - Three-way junction
  12. 11 : km 13.11 - alt. 139 m - GR straight ahead
  13. S/E : km 16.47 - alt. 120 m - Roman Bridge car park - Gaudre de Romanin (rivière)

Notes

It is essential to wear suitable footwear for this route.
Part of the hike takes place on the Caume plateau, where shade is scarce and there is no water.
The route follows theGR® 6 on the way out. This path is very well marked but features rocky sections and alternates between steep ascents and descents, some of which are quite steep.
Although the return route is not signposted, the direction is clear and the tracks are like a rollercoaster.

Access to the mountain ranges is restricted during the summer months and it is essential to check before setting off on any hike.

This route passes through multiple protected areas, which may be subject to special regulations:

Worth a visit

- Les Baux-de-Provence, its castle and quarries.
- Saint-Rémy-de-Provence and the site of Glanum.
- All the sites in the Alpilles: Château de Roquamartine, Caisses de Jean Jean.

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

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
sandyliger
sandyliger

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

A lovely walk in the Alpilles mountains, which are so beautiful.
However, this hike is quite demanding and longer than initially stated in the description: 18 km with an elevation gain of almost 700 metres.
You’ll need a good pair of walking boots as there are some tricky sections.
But it’s a lovely route with splendid views.

Machine-translated

PIERRE MONNIER
PIERRE MONNIER

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

A lovely hike in the Alpilles. Quite a challenge for my wife and me (we’re 153 years old between us). The climb up to the Col de Vollonge is steep, but the setting is lovely, even in the drizzle. After that, along the cliff face, the path is steep and rocky, and we had to use our hands to get up, but the beauty of the place makes it well worth the effort. The route along the ridges is also quite challenging. Stunning views. The final few kilometres are like a rollercoaster: repeated ascents and descents, quite gruelling. It’s best to do this lovely hike in dry weather.
We recommend this hike, which poses no problems for young people; however, older walkers need to be physically fit.
PP and MM

Machine-translated

Randonneur du dimanche
Randonneur du dimanche

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 15, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely walk, with no real difficulties, but with repeated ascents and descents that do indeed bring to mind a rollercoaster – fortunately not too long –
Between the start and point 1, don’t hesitate: a few metres after the bridge, take the path on the left instead of following the “official GR6” route. Heading straight on, you walk alongside the Calans (imposing rocks on the left) and arrive at point 1, where you can cross the vineyard in the middle (there is a permitted passage) and rejoin the GR6 and the route.
It’s more enjoyable than taking the long, flat GR6 track.
I was a bit surprised to see so many people (not a crowd, but still) all along the route at this time of year.

Machine-translated

lovéro
lovéro

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 21, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Beautiful scenery, though on a slight downside, we had trouble finding the way up to the Col de Vallongue

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.