Chaîne des Côtes from Lambesc

A 2½-hour circular walk above Lambesc. A steady climb through the woods, then along the ridge of the Côtes mountain range, with superb 360° views of the Étang de Berre, the Alpilles, Mont Ventoux, the Luberon, the Alpes du Verdon and Sainte Victoire. Return via the plateau of the hamlet of Janet through vineyards along farm tracks.

Details

n°4503051
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.69 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 10 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 636 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 656 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,578 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,010 ft
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ City: Lambesc (13410)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 43.678043° / E 5.275817°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 3143ET, 3243OT
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Photos

Description of the walk

From Lambesc, on the D67a, you can park 100 m after the hamlet of La Bastide Blanche, on the right.

(S/E) Cross the road and take the path through the oak trees towards the west, alongside a small vineyard. You will come to a stone path that climbs north-west, running alongside a vineyard. Follow the hollow of a recently cleared valley, continuing north-west and ignoring all the paths that branch off to the left and right. Start climbing a slightly steeper slope and wind your way up to a paved road. Follow the road to the right up to a pass below a lookout tower.

(1) At the Col de la Vigie, take the path that climbs to the right and passes under a pylon. The path descends steeply, so take care of rolling stones, until you reach a crossroads. Cross the crossroads and take the track opposite heading north-west, signposted CC208. You will arrive near a first cistern.

(2) Continue along the track that stays on the ridge, ignoring all the tracks that branch off to the left and right.
Stay on this track until you reach a second cistern. Leave the track here and climb up the path on the right to reach the relay antenna.

(3) Continue along the path that descends towards the track. You will come to a double three-way junction; keep right, following the old signpost: Domaine Départemental de Caire Val. Turn right again towards the valley. Descend in regular zigzags and ignore the stony shortcuts and the left turn indicated by the Sylvacane signpost. You will arrive at a T-junction with another track. Take the blue sign on the right. You will then walk through a forest dotted with cypress trees. Go through a DFCI barrier and you will arrive at a crossroads: Hunting car park no. 2.

(4) Go straight ahead towards a double junction with two almost parallel paths. Take the left-hand path and ignore the two paths on the right. At the start of the left-hand bend, continue straight ahead along a path through the undergrowth for a few metres. Walk alongside a vineyard on the left and go around it, following the signs for Lambesc via Janet. Ignore the two paths on the right. Continue south-west along Chemin du Petit Janet until you reach a large red agricultural irrigation valve.

(5) Leave the track and turn right, heading west, onto the farm track. Go around a property with a large vegetable garden on your right. You will come to a small road which you take heading west. Pass to the right of a large white building, which is an oil mill. Continue along the road, which is the Chemin de Lambesc à la Tour de Janet, until you reach the hamlet of Janet, which you can see opposite.

(6) Cross the hamlet, following a large wall and then hedges. At the end of the hamlet, turn right at the sign for Chemin de la Bastide Blanche à Janet and continue west on the paved road, then the track, then the paved road again. Further on, take a road on the right, level with a property with a large rusty metal gate decorated with a mechanic's wrench. Follow the old signs for Chapelle Sainte-Anne, La Roque d'Anthéron. This road leads back to Bastide Blanche and the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 1,053 ft - Bastide Blanche car park
  2. 1 : mi 1.02 - alt. 1,519 ft - Pass under the lookout
  3. 2 : mi 1.32 - alt. 1,414 ft - DFCI water tank - Col Saint-Anne (425m)
  4. 3 : mi 2.24 - alt. 1,578 ft - Relay antenna
  5. 4 : mi 3.59 - alt. 1,073 ft - DFCI barrier
  6. 5 : mi 4.14 - alt. 1,050 ft - Agricultural irrigation valve
  7. 6 : mi 4.87 - alt. 1,050 ft - Hamlet of Janet
  8. S/E : mi 5.69 - alt. 1,053 ft - Bastide Blanche car park

Notes

Avoid this hike in summer, as the ridge path is not shaded.
Best done in clear weather to enjoy the stunning views that change throughout the route
(S/E) Alternative: use the picnic area at the Domaine Départemental, near the Caire Val retirement home. The route then connects between (4) and (5).

Worth a visit

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 29 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
User 21182908

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 12, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Stunning panoramic views. A fairly easy walk with no particular obstacles. The final stretch is on tarmac.

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fredchopin
fredchopin

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 11, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk, despite a slight mistral breeze on the ridge, with beautiful panoramic views and varied scenery including vineyards, olive groves and forests
An easy, quiet walk

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ghnassia
ghnassia

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 21, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very pleasant route that takes you along the ridgeline and allows you to explore the area around Lambesc. Please take note of any announcements from the prefecture during the summer, as access to certain areas may be restricted due to the risk of fire.

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User 24509294

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 23, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Due to the strong winds of recent days, pine trees are lying across the trailhead.

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gs
gs

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 13, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant, fairly easy hike.
The paths are wide on the balcony section at the top of the ridges, and the views are magnificent.

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RIVI
RIVI

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 26, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very nice hike.
A little difficult to find the right path at the start.
Did it in spring; in summer it must be very hot on the ridge.
Very pretty views.

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phildaix
phildaix

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 30, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Beautiful views, but also magnificent countryside that is very different from what you see elsewhere in the region.
Thank you for this lovely walk.

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magnetto
magnetto

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 23, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

easy walk with beautiful 360° views

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sengafont
sengafont

Still in the planning stages. Coming soon.

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soagirl
soagirl

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 04, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Nice hike, not difficult.
Magnificent view of Mont Ventoux and the Écrins mountains on a clear day

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cornille b
cornille b

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 14, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent walk with superb views from the ridges, but also bucolic scenery on the way down.
One downside: the start isn't obvious, it's not easy to get to No. 1, there are several paths; we went to the Col de la Vigie by road (500 m) to be sure we didn't get lost! But after that, no problems!

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YabGe
YabGe

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 15, 2024
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant walk with a slight incline at the start but no great difficulty. Magnificent views in good weather.
Easy to follow with GPS.

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LIONEL13118
LIONEL13118

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 02, 2024
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Thank you very much for sharing. Thanks to you, we had a wonderful day and a beautiful hike!

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Manny26
Manny26

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 13, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very good winter walk, with a few climbs but just enough to warm you up.
Pretty scenery and superb views of the ridges.

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Manu d'Aix
Manu d'Aix

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 28, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

An original loop in a peaceful setting with beautiful views. Bring binoculars (and water).
Thank you for this route and the explanations.
Emmanuel

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