Ermitage de Saint-Ser and botanical trail

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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.

Details

n°20933748
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 3.83 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 252 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 252 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 637 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 403 m
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Description of the walk

Park in the Saint-Ser car park.

(S/E) Walk towards the Relais Saint-Ser building and cross the access road.

(1) Turn right onto the botanical trail (wooden sign). Complete the short circular loop to discover the region's flora: a gentle warm-up for what lies ahead.

(1) At the end of the circular, climb towards the Relais building and reach the car park.

(2) Take the path that starts at the end of the car park.

(3) Leave the path on your right and keep left towards the chapel. Further up, turn right to reach the building, leaving the flat path on your left.

(4) Take the time to admire the landscape. To motivate little legs, you can tell them that at the top they will be able to ring the bell and maybe see some goats.

The return journey is via the same route back to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 403 m - Saint-Ser car park - Ermitage Saint-Ser
  2. 1 : km 0.11 - alt. 409 m - Start of the botanical trail - Ermitage Saint-Ser
  3. 2 : km 0.94 - alt. 427 m - Relais Saint-Ser, trail
  4. 3 : km 1.22 - alt. 464 m - Junction, on the left
  5. 4 : km 2.24 - alt. 637 m - Hermitage of Saint-Ser
  6. S/E : km 3.83 - alt. 403 m - Saint-Ser car park - Ermitage Saint-Ser

Notes

Good trainers or hiking boots and water.

Worth a visit

Visit to the Maison de la Sainte-Victoire.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 15 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
User 6409421

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 19, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very pleasant hike

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Sandra Brun
Sandra Brun

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 12, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful hike for those who enjoy climbing (45/50 min climb at a brisk pace), offering the chance to walk at the foot of the beautiful white-grey rocks of Sainte Victoire, and enjoy views of the valley (vineyards, scrubland, pine trees) and the mountains in the distance. Beware of strong sunlight! Ideal in autumn/winter/spring

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CFUE
CFUE

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 28, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

The hike was exactly as described! Early in the morning, we only encountered a few people on their way back. The chapel is magnificent and the view from the top makes the short climb well worth it.
The goats weren't there this time, so I'll happily come back with my family.

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Nicole C2.
Nicole C2.

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

Very nice hike to La Chapelle de St Ser. Beautiful view, clear skies... it's a bit of a climb but still easy, we did it with two 5-year-olds. Walking sticks are very useful

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marmotte33
marmotte33
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 24, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The botanical section isn't particularly interesting because the signs are poorly made (it's difficult to match the plant to the name displayed; a drawing of the plant would have been helpful). Let's call it a short warm-up walk. But the route to the hermitage is really nice. It's extremely easy to follow. There is welcome shade from the summer heat. It does climb a little, though, so you earn your arrival at the hermitage. A good dozen goats were on the hermitage's small square, enjoying the shade and taking over the place. A nice little morning walk.

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Chalopin
Chalopin

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 12, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very nice hike. Beautiful views.

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scoppin
scoppin

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 24, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We loved this route, which wasn't too long or too difficult, but I was glad I had my walking sticks for the descent because there were lots of small, slippery stones. You need to have strong knees because there are steps to climb.

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Gilles Vernier
Gilles Vernier

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

A short hike following the botanical discovery trail at night under the last quarter moon, which allowed us to walk without torches and gaze at the stars from the observation point before the Saint-Ser Chapel.
Return with headlamps for added safety.

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jfrancoisc
jfrancoisc

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 06, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful spot nestled at the foot of a rocky cliff on Sainte-Victoire.

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Le Pap
Le Pap
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

A lovely little walk to do in the evening or early morning in summer (check that it is not in a red zone before setting off).
Wild goats present.

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slr.isarte@free.fr
slr.isarte@free.fr

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 27, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Perfect for giving an idea of the sacred mountain of victory

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Ricci13
Ricci13

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 17, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Please note that the route is marked in red

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Neinoe
Neinoe

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 05, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : Yes

Mixed reviews. We weren't expecting such a challenging hike, but it's still accessible.

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mounine
mounine

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 27, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

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grandin
grandin ★

The distance has been calculated correctly for the round trip

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