From Saint-Pons to Mont Cruvelier

This circular route takes you up to the Mont Cruvelier lookout point. From this summit, you can enjoy a beautiful view of the Sainte-Baume Massif, the Cuges Plain and the Var mountains. The route starts from the car park at the Saint-Pons Departmental Park

Details

41309262
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.39 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 395 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 396 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 574 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 178 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park near the Maison du Parc in Saint-Pons.

(S/E) Head south-east along the Chemin du Vallon de Saint-Pons until you reach the junction with the Route Départementale (D2).

(1) Cross the road carefully and turn right immediately afterwards to join a path leading off to the left from the roadside.

(2) Follow this path, which runs alongside a field, until you reach a junction.

(3) Turn right onto a path that climbs steeply up the hill and continues to a forest track.

(4) Turn left and follow it to the three-way junction.

(5) Turn left and continue along a track until you reach a water reservoir.

(6) Take the path that climbs up the hillside between the two forest tracks. The climb is steep. Continue climbing until you reach the Mont Cruvelier lookout.

(7) Take the track that descends and joins another track.

(8) Follow it to the right, pass a few hairpin bends and arrive beneath a power line.

(9) Take the path that branches off to the left below. The descent is quite steep despite the numerous hairpin bends, leading to the Moulin de Saint Pons.

(10) Turn left and walk gently downhill alongside the Torrent du Foulon until you reach the D2.

(1) Follow the route back in the opposite direction to reach the car park near the Maison du Parc (DA).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 179 m - Car park near the Maison du Parc
  2. 1 : km 0.42 - alt. 206 m - Crossing the D2
  3. 2 : km 0.48 - alt. 205 m - Junction on the path
  4. 3 : km 0.61 - alt. 212 m - Path junction
  5. 4 : km 1.39 - alt. 264 m - Forest track
  6. 5 : km 2.56 - alt. 378 m - Three-Way Junction
  7. 6 : km 3.42 - alt. 445 m - Water supply
  8. 7 : km 4.1 - alt. 574 m - Mont Cruvelier
  9. 8 : km 4.86 - alt. 505 m - Track junction
  10. 9 : km 5.75 - alt. 471 m - Path under power lines
  11. 10 : km 7.78 - alt. 238 m - Path along the - Fauge (cours d'eau) - Affluent de la Huveaune
  12. S/E : km 9.39 - alt. 178 m - Car park near the Maison du Parc

Notes

There are no water points along the route. Remember to bring enough with you. In summer, it can get very hot, even though part of the route runs through a pine forest.

Alternative route: at point (6), you can reach point (8) via the track leading off to the left. However, this makes the walk less interesting.

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 4 reviews

Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
BCC
BCC

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 05, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Even during the week, we came across or followed hikers and cyclists. It’s true that there are plenty of paths, which are well-known and clearly marked. The hike presents no difficulty; the paths are well-maintained, the gradients are gentle, and the descent to Saint-Pons isn’t difficult; you just need to be careful at the start as small pebbles may roll underfoot on the first section. The views are unobstructed and very beautiful.
Thank you for this route.

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Aquariel
Aquariel

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 02, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely, pleasant walk that’s easy to follow. I’ve marked it as ‘very busy’ because of the large number of mountain bikers; otherwise, there aren’t many hikers.
After point 7, we took a short detour down towards Le Brigou to see a geological feature known as the ‘Fenêtre du Brigou’, which we’d spotted earlier. We then reached point 9 with ease.
The walk ended at Saint Pons Park, with water I hadn’t seen in this spot for a long time!

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Christophe13008
Christophe13008

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 15, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk.
Stunning views of the region. Three hours is enough if you don’t stop for a picnic.
Too many firebreaks for my liking (over 60% of the time) with lots of mountain bikes.
Thank you for this walk.

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Janine13
Janine13

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 16, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely hike with a magnificent 360° view from the lookout point. A pleasant, alternative route up Mont Cruvelier, starting and finishing in the St Pons valley. The initial climb is a bit steep but easily manageable. A lovely hike that we’ll definitely be doing again.

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