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The Saint-Gabriel Chapel is located on the D33 between Fontvieille and Saint-Étienne-du-Grès. Park in the car park on the side of the road in front of the chapel.
(S/E) From the car park, climb the stairs leading to the chapel and follow theGR®®6-GR®®653D(red and white) markings.
The route, through olive groves, goes around the chapel and then climbs to the ruins of the tower that protected the chapel and the village (now gone) and then arrives at a good path.
(1) Turn left onto this path, following the yellow markings. After 350 metres, at a fork, take the path that climbs to the right (marker AL101). A good kilometre higher up, the path leads to a large crossroads on a track.
(2) Take this track on the left towards Saint-Étienne-du-Grès, following theGR®®6-GR®®653Dmarkings. Ignore all the paths leading off to the right and left and stay on the marked track. Pass water tank no. 142 and continue for 300 metres to a crossroads.
Again, ignore the two paths that branch off to the right and continue straight ahead on theGR®® for about 400 metres.
(3) When the track makes a sharp turn (hut below), leave the track and the markings and take the path that branches off to the right. This path, which is flat at first and then descends, runs along a small cliff equipped with small climbing routes. When you reach the remains of a troglodytic dwelling in a bend, leave the path that branches off to the left and continue straight ahead until you find a yellow marker.
This path goes around the cliff and then climbs up to a platform offering beautiful views of the eastern Alpilles with Les Baux de Provence in the distance. Continue along the main path to reach a crossroads.
(4) Turn left and enjoy the views of the Crau valley. As you approach cistern no. 144, the markings will leave the path and take another path that descends to the left. Leave the trailheads and continue on the yellow markings until you reach a T-junction.
(5) Turn right to go uphill. 100m further up at a fork, stay on the left path and continue. 200m further on, leave the path that branches off to the right and continue on the marked path. After walking 600m and climbing well, leave the path on the left and then the one on the right to immediately come out onto a beautiful track.
(6) Turn left onto the track (for a few hundred metres, the ageing yellow markings become less visible), ignore the two paths branching off to the right, then 300 metres further on, leave the track and take the path on the right marked with a cairn.
This path descends into a small valley, climbs up the opposite side and arrives at a flat area at a crossroads.
(7) Continue straight ahead, following the markings on a beautiful straight line that alternates between descents and ascents, ignoring the numerous paths branching off to the right and left.
(8) When you reach a path, ignore the yellow markings going up to the right and go down to the left on the path that leads to cistern no. 275. Take the path on the right, 200 metres further on at the fork, keep to the right and at the next fork go left to quickly rejoin the track.
(9) Turn left onto the track and follow theGR®®6-GR®®653Dmarkings, which will take you to another cistern. Take the path on the right, which 400 metres further on joins the crossroads you passed on the way out.
(1) Turn left to return to the chapel and the car park (S/E).
Visorando Member
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