From Valfère to the Bassin de Saint-Christophe

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An easy walk along a wide DFCI track.

Details

n°61249409
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.19 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 159 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 160 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 359 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 183 m
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ City: Rognes (13840)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 43.674713° / E 5.364752°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 3143ET, 3243OT
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Photos

View from the ridge.
the return route
The Basin
Picnic

Description of the walk

Park near the D66. There is a large area where you can park, although it is not a proper car park.

(S/E) Set off with your back to the main road and head towards a three-way junction.

(1) Turn left.

(2) Keep to the right, ignoring the access roads to houses, and continue to the next junction.

(3) Stay on the path on the left. Keep going in the same direction, ignoring the paths on either side. You will come out onto the D54.

(4) Cross the road carefully by stepping over the guardrail and head towards the banks of the Bassin de Saint-Christophe. Follow the banks to the right, rejoin the D54 and cross with the same care to reach a wide, carriageable track.

(5) Turn right, go through the gate and continue straight on. You will reach a crossroads.

(6) Turn slightly left onto the Chemin de Ponserot and follow it back to the three-way junction you passed at the start.

(1) Continue straight ahead to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 342 m - Parking
  2. 1 : km 0.25 - alt. 342 m - Crossroads on the circular loop
  3. 2 : km 0.88 - alt. 359 m - Junction, on the right
  4. 3 : km 1.59 - alt. 346 m - Three-way junction, on the left
  5. 4 : km 4.17 - alt. 188 m - D54
  6. 5 : km 4.51 - alt. 185 m - Vehicle-accessible track - Canal de Marseille
  7. 6 : km 5.61 - alt. 243 m - Multiple junctions
  8. S/E : km 8.19 - alt. 342 m - Parking

Notes

Done with a three-year-old child and a dachshund.

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 4 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4 / 5
gs
gs

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

Easy hike, wide paths, beautiful views on the first part.

Machine-translated

denisnicoli
denisnicoli

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 16, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk. You could actually park at the St Christophe reservoir car park and start with the climb. There was a hunt going on, but it didn’t bother us.

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Crapet
Crapet

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 11, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely, well-described walk that follows a ridge offering fine views of the Durance valley, then of the St Christophe reservoir.

Machine-translated

ag13
ag13

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 20, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

It’s a gentle walk, but why not do the same circular route starting from the Saint Christophe reservoir? That way, you can park easily and start with the climb.

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