Col de l'Espigoulier walks

La Sainte-Baume as you've never seen it before: a ledge at the foot of imposing rocky peaks, a short climb to reach an isolated plateau offering panoramic views of the Alps as far as Cap Sicié. The entire walk is on small, wild trails, just the way I like them. A challenging walk with an 8-metre rock climb, rated 2 at most (easy scrambling).

Climb to the highest point of the Bouches-du-Rhône, located at the eastern end of the Sainte-Baume Massif.

This hike will take you above the beautiful Falaise de la Galère cliff with its breathtaking views to the fascinating Grande Baume cave, which you will cross from end to end. Don't be put off by the elevation gain, as it wasn't too difficult for our old legs.

A very beautiful and challenging hike starting from Saint-Pons Park in Gémenos, where you will begin by climbing the Col de l'Espigoulier, then the Dents de Roque Forcade and the Pic de Bertagne. You will begin your return to Saint-Pons Park via the Col du Fauge and the Pas de Cugens. Some sections are tricky, but the views are magnificent throughout.

This is a fairly challenging hike that begins with an elevation gain of around 700 metres. This is covered over the first six kilometres. The hike climbs steeply with some technical sections. The descent features sections along the mountainside, so you mustn’t be afraid of heights. Otherwise, give it a miss. It’s a very beautiful hike with sections through woodland, lovely single tracks and sections over steep rocks. It offers a fine variety of paths with some very pretty views.

This is a fairly challenging hike, though much less so than the Croix de Provence via La Marbrière and the return via the Pas du Berger, which has 200 metres less elevation gain but is much more technical. This hike remains relatively easy in terms of difficulty, which is essentially just the elevation gain. Easily accessible, the hike starts on the left, about fifteen metres past the park office, leading first to the old ice house, then to the Pic and the Col de Bertagne. It then continues towards the Col de l’Espigoulier and, finally, passes through the Col de Brest. The path is marked almost entirely in yellow (freshly painted). There is a beautiful, deep cave to explore. The views are each as stunning as the next.