The Sainte-Victoire ridge from Puyloubier to the Anchois car park

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Route along the ridges of Montagne Sainte-Victoire from Puyloubier to the Anchois car park (leave a car there). A fairly long hike, with a few tricky sections (chains) and slippery patches depending on the season. Magnificent 360° views.

11/09/2024: The Imoucha trail will be closed for 3 months, from 1 October to 31 December (2024 and 2025). The hike cannot be undertaken during these periods. See practical information.

Details

n°19287093
Creation:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 12.75 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 6h 00 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: No
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 811 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 880 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,010 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 300 m
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Photos

On the Sainte-Victoire Ridge, January 2024
Sainte Victoire, Pic de Mouches, Sunset
Cézanne Refuge
Return via the blue route

Description of the walk

The best option is to leave one car at the Anchois car park after Roques Hautes and drive thesecond car to Puyloubier (top of the village). Two parking options: start at the top of the village:GR® 9 marked in red and white (small car park, choice of route), or park opposite the wine cooperative, walk up into the village passing above the town hall. When you reach the small square under the plane trees, turn left onto the steepest street (Félicien Richaud) and reach the top of the village at the start of the GR®9.

(S) Return to the junction and turn left (north). Go straight on to climb steeply up the well-marked path. You’ll reach the edge of the forest where you’ll find a crossroads of paths.

(1) Continue left on theGR®9to reach the Malivert Oratory

(2) Turn left towards the Pic des Mouches on a well-signposted path. Continue due west to reach the Garagaï de Cagoloup junction, marked by a cairn.

(3) Follow theGR®9straight ahead to reach Pic des Mouches and the orientation table.

(4) Continue along the ridge, carefully following the red and white markings ofthe GR® and the cairns. The markings are generally clearly visible but are sometimes missing. Reach the Brèche de Genty.

(5) Cross from the left side to the right side of the mountain, then use a chain to climb a small rocky slope. This can be slippery depending on the time of day or season as it is a north-facing section. Cross a plateau, marked by tall cairns amongst the box trees.

(6) Pass the Col de Vauvenargues.

(7) Head towards the Col de Suberoque, the Signal and then the Garagaï. A little further on, leave the path and climb the rock on your left to reach the Croix de Provence.

(8) Head back down towards the Priory, then follow the blue-marked trail along the ridge. Pass the Pas du Moine.

(9) Continue to the large cairn marking the Pas de l'Escalette.

(10) Head down to the left, following the red markings (slippery rock) to the Refuge Cézanne

(11) Leave the refuge on your left and follow the red markings to the Anchois car park (E).

Waypoints

  1. S : km 0 - alt. 370 m - Puyloubier
  2. 1 : km 0.99 - alt. 663 m - Ridge
  3. 2 : km 1.76 - alt. 780 m - Oratoire de Malivert (Puyloubier)
  4. 3 : km 3.36 - alt. 969 m - Garagaï de Cagoloup. Near the source of the - Cause (rivière)
  5. 4 : km 3.88 - alt. 993 m - Pic des Mouches - Ermitage Saint-Ser
  6. 5 : km 4.82 - alt. 919 m - Brèche de Genty, after the - Col de Saint-Ser (624m)
  7. 6 : km 5.35 - alt. 918 m - Col de Vauvenargues (920m)
  8. 7 : km 5.76 - alt. 942 m - Col de Suberoque (941m)
  9. 8 : km 9.68 - alt. 939 m - Croix de Provence
  10. 9 : km 10.32 - alt. 772 m - Pas du Moine (767m)
  11. 10 : km 10.71 - alt. 686 m - Pas de l'Escalette (686m)
  12. 11 : km 11.83 - alt. 441 m - Refuge Cézanne
  13. E : km 12.75 - alt. 300 m - Anchois car park. Near the - Bayon (torrent) Affluent de l'Arc

Notes

Closure of the Imoucha trail, more info here.

The route presents some challenges and is best suited to experienced walkers. Wear high-top shoes as there are many stony sections. And of course, bring a hat, water and sun cream
Please note: the Priory of Sainte-Victoire has reopened but access is restricted; please check their website for further information

Worth a visit

Between the Anchois car park and Puyloubier, you can visit the Maison Sainte-Victoire in Saint-Antonin-sur-Bayon.

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.

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Reviews and comments

5 / 5
Based on 3 reviews
Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
5 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
Sharkz
Sharkz

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 15, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

On Saturday 15 February 2025, we went on a wonderful hike with friends, setting off from Puyloubier. The climb is gradual, offering lovely views of the plain right from the start. Higher up, we were lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the Alps in the distance – a truly magnificent sight.

The section along the ridge is undoubtedly one of the highlights of the hike, with a breathtaking panorama. Behind the Bau de l’Aigle, we had to cross a section equipped with chains. It was a bit tricky, especially for a friend who suffers from vertigo, but she managed to get through it all the same!

I particularly enjoyed the section between the Bau de Vespres and the cross, a varied and pleasant route. From the cross down to the car park at the end, we came across quite a few people, a sign that this trail is very popular.

Finally, be careful on the descent; some parts of the rock are quite slippery, so it’s best to be cautious.

In short, a magnificent hike with superb scenery and a few technical sections, but nothing insurmountable.
A lovely experience worth repeating!

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Ousonmestongs
Ousonmestongs

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 21, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A breathtaking 360-degree view – quite a workout.
I recommend it – it’s magnificent

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Miaze
Miaze

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 30, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

I did this hike from the Anchois car park, via Pic des Mouches and Puyloubier.
A wonderful hike – tougher at the start because of the climb, but easier after that.
There weren’t many people on the route from Croix de Provence to Puyloubier.

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Other walks in the area

Walking Sainte-Victoire circuit: Puyloubier - Pic des Mouches - Saint-Ser

Visorando Member
Circuit Sainte-Victoire : Puyloubier - Pic des Mouches - Saint-Ser
↔9.29 km ↗+710 m ↘-709 m ◔4h 40 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Puyloubier (Bouches-du-Rhône)
Circuit to the Pic des Mouches combining a steady, gentle climb above Puyloubier via the Malivert oratory and a challenging descent in a magnificent, very wild setting to the Saint-Ser inn via the Green trail. Please note: (4) The descent via the green trail is impossible: there is a signprohibiting access between 1 February and 15 July each year (to protect birds, butterflies, reptiles, etc. during the breeding season). See practical information.

Walking Circular through the Puyloubier vineyards.

Visorando Member
Boucle à travers le vignoble de Puyloubier
↔7.65 km ↗+84 m ↘-90 m ◔2h 25 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Puyloubier (Bouches-du-Rhône)
Nestled at the foot of Montagne Sainte-Victoire, the Puyloubier vineyard occupies a large part of the commune's territory. This hike, proposed by the local cooperative winery, allows you to explore this vineyard on paths dotted with oratories, with superb views of the mountain.

Walking Col des Portes loop

Visorando Member
Boucle du Col des Portes
↔11.59 km ↗+279 m ↘-273 m ◔4h 05 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Vauvenargues (Bouches-du-Rhône)
A beautiful panoramic view of the north face of Sainte-Victoire. In the distance, the Luberon, Lure, the peak of Mont Ventoux, a beautiful view of the Alps on a clear day, crossing isolated meadows at the foot of the Ubacs mountain. Part of the route crosses a private hunting ground, so it is unthinkable to do this section during the hunting season, but it can easily be avoided.

Walking Ermitage de Saint-Ser and botanical trail

Visorando Member
↔3.83 km ↗+252 m ↘-252 m ◔1h 50 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Puyloubier (Bouches-du-Rhône)
Short family hike. Start on the botanical trail (optional) then climb up to the chapel. Pass by a cave and you may see some goats.

Walking From the Grand Couloir to the Vallon de l'Aigle

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Du Grand Couloir au Vallon de l'Aigle
↔16.81 km ↗+1,768 m ↘-1,764 m ◔5 hrs ▲Extremely difficult
⚑Departure from Puyloubier (Bouches-du-Rhône)
A physically demanding route, sometimes straddling the line between hiking and climbing. The route involves a west-to-east traverse across the easternmost part of Sainte-Victoire, taking in a few off-trail sections. The route is dotted with numerous caves and cavities, including the Grotte aux Champignons. The Saint Ser black trail is closed by municipal order from 1 February to 15 July each year. The green trail is closed by municipal order between 1 February and 15 July each year (to protect the breeding of birds, butterflies, reptiles, etc.). See practical information.

Walking Sainte-Victoire: the Pic des Mouches with a return via the Pas du Clapier

Visorando Member
La Sainte-Victoire : le Pic des Mouches avec retour par le Pas du Clapier
↔11.50 km ↗+910 m ↘-906 m ◔5 hrs ▲Very difficult
⚑Departure from Puyloubier (Bouches-du-Rhône)
An energetic loop in Sainte-Victoire leaving from the Saint-Ser car park. The climb up goes via the east of the Bau de l'Aigle and the descent back down is via the 'Pas du Clapier'.

Walking The Sainte-Victoire circular via the Cols de Saint-Ser and Vauvenargues

Visorando Member
La Sainte-Victoire en boucle par les Cols de Saint-Ser et de Vauvenargues
↔5.48 km ↗+585 m ↘-580 m ◔3 hrs ▲Very difficult
⚑Departure from Puyloubier (Bouches-du-Rhône)
A challenging circular in Sainte-Victoire starting from the Saint-Ser car park. The ascent is via the Col de Saint-Ser and the descent via the Col de Vauvenargues. The Saint-Ser black trail is closed from 1 February to 15 July 2023 (between 4 and 6). See practical information.

Walking The Pic des Mouches via the Sentier des Plaideurs and the Col des Portes

Visorando Member
Le Pic des Mouches par le Sentier des Plaideurs et le Col des Portes
↔13.70 km ↗+689 m ↘-686 m ◔5h 55 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Vauvenargues (Bouches-du-Rhône)
A circular starting from the northern slope of Montagne de la Sainte-Victoire to reach Col de Suberoque via the Sentier des Plaideurs trail, then following the GR®9 along the ridges towards Pic des Mouches. A few technical sections without any major difficulties and, above all, a 360° panorama.

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