In and around Auriol

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This walk allows you to explore the varied landscapes of the village of Auriol, with its narrow streets, along the Huveaune and in the surrounding area, and to enjoy panoramic views, particularly from the Chapel of Sainte-Croix.

Details

n°4938005
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.10 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,027 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,037 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,240 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 617 ft
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Photos

Huveaune
Mural
Lovely view of the surrounding mountains
Panoramic view from the chapel

Description of the walk

Park in the Auriol Co-operative Winery car park.

(S/E) Turn left onto Rue de la Cave, walk round the church, then take the steps up to Rue du Jas.

(1) Turn left onto this street; further on, you’ll reach Rue Sainte-Croix and the junction with Rue Cluée.

(2) Turn right onto this street, then onto Chemin Saint-Barthélémy. Continue to the junction with Chemin de la Source de Vincennes.

(3) Turn right onto it, then continue right again onto Chemin de la Chapelle, which is signposted in red and yellow. You’ll reach the Chapel of Sainte-Croix.

(4) Follow the same route as on the way there to return to the junction you passed earlier.

(3) Turn right, then immediately left at the next bend onto the Chemin du Vallon de Nice. You’ll reach a three-way junction.

(5) Leave the Chemin du Vallon and turn right onto the hiking trail; at the next junction, turn right onto the path leading to a small peak.

(6) Return to the previous junction via the same path, then turn right and continue the climb. Reach the highest point at a bend, then begin a short descent to reach a junction marked by a barrier.

(7) Turn left and continue downhill along Chemin de Sauveclare Ouest. You’ll reach the Saint-Barthélémy neighbourhood, then the junction with Chemin de la Source de Vincennes, which you passed on the way out.

(3) Follow the same route as on the way there until you reach the junction with Rue de la Cluée.

(2) Stay on this street, taking two hairpin bends – first turn right then left. Continue on to reach Rue Grande.

(8) Turn left onto it and follow it for about a hundred metres, then turn right into Rue Capu to reach the Quai du 8 Mai along the banks of the Huveaune. Turn right onto it to reach the bridge.

(9) Cross the Huveaune and continue along Rue du Martinet. Leave this street almost immediately on the left to take the left-bank path and walk alongside the Huveaune. You’ll come to a flight of steps before the bridge.

(10) Take the steps and cross the Huveaune again, turn right into Rue du Clos, then left again into the next street to reach the car park of the Auriol Co-operative Winery (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 646 ft - Car park at the Auriol Co-operative Winery
  2. 1 : mi 0.17 - alt. 692 ft - Rue du Jas
  3. 2 : mi 0.37 - alt. 709 ft - Rue Cluée junction
  4. 3 : mi 0.79 - alt. 850 ft - Chemin de la Source de Vincennes junction
  5. 4 : mi 1.44 - alt. 1,204 ft - Chapel of Sainte-Croix
  6. 5 : mi 2.62 - alt. 932 ft - Four-way junction
  7. 6 : mi 2.96 - alt. 1,106 ft - Summit
  8. 7 : mi 3.99 - alt. 1,165 ft - Crossroads with barrier
  9. 8 : mi 5.59 - alt. 623 ft - Rue Grande
  10. 9 : mi 5.73 - alt. 620 ft - First bridge - Huveaune (fleuve)
  11. 10 : mi 5.98 - alt. 630 ft - Second bridge - Huveaune (fleuve)
  12. S/E : mi 6.1 - alt. 646 ft - Car park at the Auriol Co-operative Winery

Reviews and comments

3.5 / 5
Based on 5 reviews
Reliability of the description
3 / 5
Ease of following the route
3.8 / 5
Route interest
3.8 / 5
Voyageur nature
Voyageur nature

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 31, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

We made the most of being in Auriol to go and see the fairy (one of the five fairies of the Huveaune), Ubelka, on the D560 between Pont de Joux and Auriol, parking at the car park of the St Claude Cultural Centre, which is open on weekdays. On public holidays, the gate is certainly closed. Two lovely discoveries: the village and the statue dressed in a beautiful red gown – well worth a visit.

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Janine13
Janine13

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 12, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent view from the chapel. There’s a lot of tarmac, but this walk gives you the chance to explore Auriol and its quaint little streets, as well as a lovely, quiet and secluded valley.

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Gilbert13009
Gilbert13009

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 13, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

It’s true, there’s quite a bit of tarmac, but fortunately the minor roads are very quiet. The stunning view of the village from the chapel is well worth the effort of the rather long climb. On the way to the chapel, you need to pass the first path on the right, then at the next junction, turn right onto the path that heads uphill. At point 7, turn right (the map is correct, although the description says ‘left’). At this same point, there is, sadly, a view of the damage caused by the recent fire on the hills opposite. It is not the wind – which was blowing that day – that is to blame for this, but, no doubt, the carelessness – or irresponsibility – of some people.

Thank you for this unpretentious walk, which allows you to explore the village and its surroundings.

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toietmoi88
toietmoi88

Overall rating : 1.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 22, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : No

The only thing of interest is the chapel; otherwise, there’s far, far, far too much tarmac……

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modakana
modakana

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 13, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely little walk combining a stroll through the narrow streets of Auriol with a short climb up to the Sainte-Croix Chapel
The 360° view from there is magnificent at this time of year
It’s a shame the route takes you along so much tarmac

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Other walks in the area

Walking Sainte-Croix Chapel in Auriol

Visorando Member
Chapelle Sainte-Croix à Auriol
↔0.79 mi ↗+217 ft ↘-217 ft ◔0h 35 ▲Easy
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This short walk on the heights of Auriol was discovered by chance while trying to get as close as possible to the chapel, which stands out immaculately against the blue sky. It's a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon with the family, climbing just 37 metres. From the top, there is a remarkable view of the village and the entire surrounding area, from the northern slopes of the Sainte-Baume mountain range to the east to the Étoile mountain range to the west.

Walking Grotte des Infernets and Glacière des Encanaux

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This hike takes you through the forest and vineyards. Along the way, you will discover the care and attention that winegrowers devote to their vines in order to produce the best wine possible. The icing on the cake is that you can visit the Auriol wine cellars and taste the wines produced from the vines you have just walked through.

Walking The Tête de Chien at Les Encanaux

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Hike near Auriol, in the Encanaux and Infernets ravines, with an ascent of two rarely visited peaks, discovery of caves and a visit to the Encanaux ice house.

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↔8.11 mi ↗+1,877 ft ↘-1,886 ft ◔5h 20 ▲Moderate
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↔6.55 mi ↗+1,621 ft ↘-1,627 ft ◔4h 25 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Auriol (Bouches-du-Rhône)
The Encanaux and Infernets ravines are two remarkable valleys near Auriol. This route will take you up the entire length of the wild Encanaux ravine, which is very quiet and shaded in hot weather. The return journey will take you through the more classic Coutronne and Infernets ravines with their beautiful landscapes.

Walking Grotte des Infernets and walk through the Bois de la Lare

Association / Club / Walk leader
Grotte des Infernets et traversée du Bois de la Lare
↔8.30 mi ↗+2,073 ft ↘-2,083 ft ◔5h 35 ▲Difficult
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As soon as you enter the park, you immediately tackle a steep climb. You’ll encounter much narrower paths, as well as unmarked paths and paths that are barely there: it’s a bit like a treasure hunt. So this is for experienced hikers. There will also be DFCI tracks. The off-track sections are no longer than 300 metres, so nothing to worry about. However, you will needto use the GPX track on your GPS. It is a physically demanding but lovely hike. It follows the ridges. It’s a great experience with magnificent scenery. For much of the way, there are also areas of undergrowth to cross, such as the Bois de la Lare, which the route passes through on the descent. The route also takes in the Grottes des Infernets, with views of the spring bubbling up, depending on the time of year.

Walking The Ravin des Infernets

Visorando Member
Le Ravin des Infernets
↔2.58 mi ↗+659 ft ↘-659 ft ◔1h 45 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Auriol (Bouches-du-Rhône)
A short, easy and pleasant hike, alternating between springs, gorges and small caves, with picnic areas along the stream. Moderator's warning on 25/01/2021: Please note! Reviews of this hike indicate that it is preferable to have a GPS device to follow the route correctly and that some paths have been overgrown.

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