Circular route via La Petite Mer, the Zola Dam and Bibémus, starting from Le Tholonet

A walk that allows you to explore the Petite Mer with its hydraulic structures – the Roman dam, the old dam and the Zola Dam – to enjoy beautiful views of Sainte-Victoire and to get a closer look at the Bibémus Quarries.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.32 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,611 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,591 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,161 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 587 ft

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the car park in the centre of the village of Le Tholonet.

(S/E) Take the road towards Aix for 450 m and turn right onto Chemin de la Paroisse. After the left-hand bend, you’ll reach a crossroads with several directions.

(1) Take the path on the left which climbs up the hill. About a hundred metres further on, keep to the right onto a more clearly marked path. You’ll reach a multi-way junction at a viewpoint overlooking the Vallon de la Cause.

(2) Continue along the path on the right, which descends into the valley and leads to a dam. Do not cross the dam; instead, continue along the path which initially runs along the right bank of the Cause, then crosses from one side to the other. Just as the stream bends to the right towards the Zola Dam, head up to the left, either to the track or by following a path that curves towards the dam towards a hydraulic structure. Climb up towards the dam and cross it to reach the opposite side.

(3) Leave the track to the left and take the path that runs out over the lake, then rejoins the track, which you should follow for about 150 m. Then take the path on the left which descends towards the valley and then climbs again. Ignore the path branching off to the right and follow the one running along the eastern side of the lake. After about 300 m, turn right, heading east, following the left bank of the Vallon de la Cause. Cross a small tributary.

(4) Descend and cross the Cause stream, then climb the hill opposite to reach theGR® 653A.

(5) Take this path to the left and follow it along an almost flat route to reach a fire hydrant; continue for a further hundred metres to reach a crossroads of paths.

(6) Leave theGR® here and take the path on the right; further on, you’ll reach a junction with a wider track.

(7) Take this track to the left until you reach the Carrières de Bibémus car park, where you’ll rejoin theGR®653A.

(8) Enter the site and make your way through the various boulders to reach a wide track suitable for vehicles. Follow it down to a junction with another track at a pass.

(9) Leave the track and take the path heading due south, which climbs slightly before descending rapidly to reach the crossroads at the viewpoint over the Cause Valley, which you passed on the way out.

(2) Continue straight ahead, following the reverse route of the outward journey, to return to the original crossroads.

(1) Take the path on the left to reach the Roman dam quickly.

(10) Turn left to follow the course of the Cause upstream along a small canal for about 300 m until you reach a weir and the start of the gorges.

(11) Return to the previous junction.

(10) Turn left onto the path to join theGRP®2013Marseille Provence Métropole.

(12) Follow it to the right until you reach a fork.

(13) Turn right onto a barely visible and very steep path leading to the Toscan car park. Head up to the right, passing alongside an olive grove, and reach the Canal de Provence aqueduct; you can pass between the end of the aqueduct and the start of the tunnel.

(14) Continue straight on to reach the Tholonet cemetery, then head down towards the Moulin Cézanne and on to the Tholonet car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 594 ft - Car park in the centre of Le Tholonet
  2. 1 : mi 0.44 - alt. 659 ft - Junction of the circular loop
  3. 2 : mi 0.7 - alt. 942 ft - View over the valley. A/R junction
  4. 3 : mi 1.57 - alt. 837 ft - Zola Dam
  5. 4 : mi 2.7 - alt. 797 ft - Cause (rivière)
  6. 5 : mi 3 - alt. 1,142 ft - GR653A
  7. 6 : mi 4.33 - alt. 1,112 ft - Crossroads after the cistern
  8. 7 : mi 4.83 - alt. 1,142 ft - Bibémus track junction
  9. 8 : mi 5.41 - alt. 1,122 ft - Bibémus
  10. 9 : mi 6.01 - alt. 945 ft - Pass
  11. 10 : mi 6.69 - alt. 617 ft - Barrage romain
  12. 11 : mi 6.85 - alt. 623 ft - Start of the gorges
  13. 12 : mi 7.52 - alt. 965 ft - GRP2013
  14. 13 : mi 7.98 - alt. 840 ft - Le Toscan car park
  15. 14 : mi 8.47 - alt. 928 ft - SCP Aqueduct
  16. S/E : mi 9.32 - alt. 594 ft - Car park in the centre of Le Tholonet

Notes

As the route follows unmarked paths and given the number of small paths in the area, a GPS is recommended.
There is no drinking water along the route.

Worth a visit

Places of interest: a small, disused dam downstream of the Zola dam; the Zola dam and its lake; the Bibémus quarries; and the Roman dam.
(4) The Cause is the river that feeds the Bimont and Zola dams.
(8) Bibémus quarries: it is possible to access the entrance to the fenced-off site. However, shortly after this entrance, you can take a path on the right which allows you to see the remains of the quarrying site. (Private site, but the owner allows visitors).
(8) Visits to the site are by appointment only; please contact the Aix Tourist Office to book.

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

3.7 / 5
Based on 5 reviews

Reliability of the description
3.4 / 5
Ease of following the route
3.5 / 5
Route interest
4.2 / 5
User 22330684

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 29, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We had an unsuccessful attempt today, as the water level in the dam was too high; the path was submerged at point 4, making it impossible to find a passable route beyond that point or to cross the stream at that level. Despite having a GPX file, we got lost in the heath whilst looking for alternative routes and had to make a difficult retreat. It’s a shame, as the start looked promising. Emmanuelle

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anninha
anninha

Hike completed in late April 2026. A very pleasant hike, offering plenty of variety in terms of both the scenery and the terrain—which is sometimes challenging and sometimes easy. It is advisable to follow the GPS closely as there are many paths. Indeed, there is a temporary ban on access when you reach the final section of the hike. There is currently no information available on when this ban will end.

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corail1313
corail1313

Overall rating : 2.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 21, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : No

Very dangerous section after point 2 going down to the dam, slippery ground with small rolling stones even though I am equipped with good crampons, serious fall and significant injury.
A rope needs to be installed to hold on to at this point.
I was unable to complete the route, I injured myself, turned back and went to A&E.

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moliere8
moliere8

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 21, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hello,
Hike I did yesterday: please note that the path between 10 and 12 is on private land. There’s a barrier and access is prohibited.

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pbrion
pbrion

Hello,
The practical information clearly states that there are many unmarked trails and that a GPS is recommended.

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Audrey83
Audrey83
• Edited:

Overall rating : 3.5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 22, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Hello,
We found it extremely difficult to follow this trail. It was a lovely day and we certainly made the most of it, but there are far too few signs, the trail isn’t marked out and the directions weren’t clear enough for us. The good news is that, as everyone else was in the same boat as us, there was a real sense of camaraderie on the trail!

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Randonneur du dimanche
Randonneur du dimanche

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 11, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely little walk with beautiful views of Sainte-Victoire,
no particular difficulties if you follow the GPS track carefully; some paths aren’t signposted, but they’re clearly there and perfectly passable.
Due to the recent heavy rain, the bed of the Cause was a real quagmire
(That’s so rare in this area!)
Only the ‘GR’ sections are busy; there were few walkers on the smaller paths
A very pleasant walk,

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donpepe66
donpepe66

Hello, I’ve done the Pic des Mouches route from the Col des Portes. A lovely walk, very well described. Thank you

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