Vallon de Lèque in Fontvieille

Date of walk : Mar 25, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Busy trail : No

The route mainly follows small paved roads, forest tracks and dirt paths. The trail along the edge of the olive groves is pleasant; the view from the watchtower is impressive, and the descent via the "pink" route offers a remarkable view of the forest and the Alpilles, as well as the Vallon de la Lèque. Once at the bottom of the valley, rather than walking along the paved road to the St Jean chapel, we preferred to follow the small canal almost to the starting point; we found the area more bucolic. Finally, we stopped at the Domaine de Fonscolombe, just next door, a magnificent place with a restaurant, shops, a chapel, a château, a wine cellar, and more.

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Date of walk : Mar 16, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

A pleasant and easy hike. Like Nerfertilou13, we chose to follow the pink trail after the watchtower. This gave us some nice views of the gorge from above.

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Date of walk : Nov 21, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A beautiful and varied hike. Vegetation, views. Pleasant walking.
The GPX track was useful for finding some of the trailheads.

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Date of walk : Mar 23, 2024
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Clarity of route map : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

Thank you very much for sharing. The first part was great (Mont Paon), but the second part was more mixed, with no real view from the watchtower... Over time, the trees have grown quite a bit, which blocks the view!

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Date of walk : Feb 20, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

We made a slight change at the watchtower. Instead of returning along the same path (i.e. to point 10), we turned right immediately (leaving the watchtower area) and went down the path marked in pink on the IGN map, which took us past the climbing walls and even a cave (a large rock shelter). Just after the cave, we rejoined the path that descended from point 10.
it's a shame not to be able to visit the St Peire chapel (probably for safety reasons)

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Date of walk : Jul 20, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

A beautiful hike with a lovely mix of limestone cliffs and maritime pines. Avoid in very hot weather and respect the restrictions to preserve the massif

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Date of walk : Feb 13, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Clarity of route map : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Hello, the start of the hike is very poorly signposted. There is little parking available. Everything is blocked off and private property. There are no signposts. It is impossible to find your way around. There is a lot of road.
Otherwise, there is a very beautiful castrum at Mont Paon, which is worth a look.
The Vallon de la Lèque is also nice

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Date of walk : Jan 17, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

Mont Paon is a wonderful discovery. However, between the car park and the start of the path leading up to the fortress, the small tarmac road is tedious to follow for 1.2 km. The climb is short and the site is magnificent, with a beautiful 365° view of the region and information panels describing the dwellings of the time.After descending the mountain, the path back to the Lèque valley is also very long and monotonous. You do have to step over some pallets stacked on a section of the path on private property, but this is no problem. We finally arrived at the start of the valley but once again found ourselves on a tarmac road that we apparently had to follow for a while. We therefore turned back at this point, as we didn't have enough time to finish the hike. It's a shame, as the valley must be interesting to see.

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Date of walk : Oct 03, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

As mentioned in previous comments, the route became impossible between points 7 and 8. At point 7, I descended along the olive grove and, as soon as I could, I took the track that climbs up to the right. I followed this track, keeping to the left (Cabrières valley) until I rejoined the route at the top of the Lèque valley. The Castrum du Mont Paon is magnificent. This allows you to complete the entire hike and see the Saint Peire chapel and the watchtower. If you don't want to make a return trip to the watchtower, a path takes you back down to the route, but you'll miss some beautiful rocky cliffs.
The only difficulties are the climb up and down Mont Paon. I highly recommend walking poles for this short section.

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Thank you for trying out this route and for your comments. Thank you also to everyone who helped improve it.
i haven't been able to do it again since, but with a little effort it should be possible if the fence is still there
i will keep you posted very soon.

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Date of walk : Feb 09, 2022
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Clarity of route map : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Route interest : Not used / Not applicable
Busy trail : No

Hike to be deleted because the route is incorrect and fences have been placed on the trails

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Date of walk : Feb 07, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

The GPS on the Visorando app is very helpful.
As for the difficult passage at point 7 to reach point 8: there are indeed a few steps to the left of a large pine tree. You need to climb onto the platform and head to the right, where some fallen rocks hide the passage. You will then find yourself on the small path that leads to point 8. Be careful during hunting season, however, as the bushes are waist-high, so don't hesitate to make some noise.
This search adds a little spice to this very pleasant hike.

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Date of walk : Feb 05, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Today's route: The first part was very interesting, with the discovery of the ancient Castrum du Mont Paon. Even though it's uphill, the reward at the top is well worth the effort. The site is secure, marked and information panels have been put up.
Be careful on the way down as it is a little steep in places.
However, we had a problem at point 7 as we were unable to reach point 8. We were using GPS, so finding the path wasn't a problem, but the owner of the olive grove had barricaded everything and put pallets across the path. As already mentioned by patrick.bormann (on 26 October 2020): we climbed up onto the small plateau above the meadow (accessed via a few wooden steps) and there, on the left, there was no path, or only a path through the brambles. There was an old plastic table and chairs in the middle of the path (probably to block it).in short, we turned back to return to point 14 and shorten our hike for the day (7 km).
The solution is probably to go to point 9 from point 7, which avoids the problem (already mentioned in some comments) of the connection between 7 and 8.
However, we don't regret doing the first part

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Date of walk : Oct 24, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Busy trail : No

The hike consists of two parts. The climb up Mount Paon at the beginning is very interesting, with beautiful views and the ruins of a castle. The Lèque Valley is also quite pleasant. Between points 7 and 8, you have to cross some thick undergrowth, so don't wear shorts! However, the entire section between points 8 and 1 is disappointing, with a lot of gorse.

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Date of walk : Aug 15, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

A pleasant route, especially the first 8 km.
There's not much point in climbing the watchtower as there's no view of the surrounding area.
We came down from the tower via a different route to avoid retracing our steps.
It is essential to use GPS as there are very few signposts.
Best regards

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