Gardanne walks

A short family hike on wide, passable paths. Walk on the plateau and in the valley. Beautiful unobstructed views of Sainte-Victoire Mountain, the city of Aix-en-Provence, the Roquefavour Aqueduct and the TGV viaduct.

This short hike takes you through the Valabre Forest with beautiful views of the Étoile massif (Pilon du Roi) and the Luynes valley between Gardanne and Luynes. The nearby cliffs add to the picturesque nature of this route.

pLEASE NOTE: work is being carried out on the Gardanne-Luynes railway line. The hiking trails are closed to the public. A Sunday family walk through landscapes of small rivers and hills, without going into the department's large parks.

This hike takes you through different environments in a very short time 

This moderately difficult walk takes you on a discovery of the Bouc-Bel-Air communal wood. You will see typical houses. You will overlook the town of Gardanne, its slag heaps and factories, and catch a glimpse of Sainte-Victoire. You will have the pleasure of getting some exercise while enjoying the forest and its scents.

This variation of the Bouc Bel Air communal wood hike is a little longer but has the advantage of being marked with small wooden signs and coloured markings. It takes you on a journey of discovery through the communal woods of Bouc-Bel-Air.

A very short hike between Meyreuil and the Pont de Bayeux, through vineyards, pine and oak woods on a hill with very pleasant views of the Sainte-Victoire mountain.

This short but fairly challenging hike takes you along numerous small paths and immerses you in a fairly wild area. It also allows you to reach the famous Pilon, visible from all over the Aix region.

A loop around the Bau Trauqua mountain, part of the Chaîne de l'Etoile between Marseille and Aix-En-Provence. Hike along the ridge and enjoy the many magnificent views over the well-known massifs of Sainte Victoire, Garlaban and Sainte-Baume. In spring, the scents are magnificent, not to mention the flora and fauna that awaken. This hike starts off moderately difficult, then becomes a medium hike with some very fine views.

This hike involves climbing to the summit of the Étoile from the north. The start and finish are in a wooded valley, but the rest of the route is very open: you are on a summit ridge and the landscape is magnificent, provided the visibility is good (Marseille, Côte Bleue, Étang de Berre, Alpilles, Mont Ventoux, Aix, Sainte-Victoire, Pilon du Roi).

Hike in the Étoile massif with views of Sainte-Victoire Mountain, Ventoux, the Alps, and at the same time, Marseille and the Mediterranean.

A superb hike, best enjoyed in spring: the Zola and Bimont dams and the old Roman dam are magnificent.

A lovely walk which includes a chance to see Cézanne’s Windmill, to discover the ancient ruins of the Roman aqueduct and its waterfall and the Zola dam. In the distance you can see Mont Sainte-Victoire.

A beautiful hike starting from Le Tholonet, mostly off the beaten track. You walk along the small Cause stream in the Petite Mer, then continue on to the Zola Dam and the Bimont Dam. Return to Le Tholonet, passing close to Cézanne's mill.

An easy walk starting from Le Tholonet, allowing you to see the two dams and walk through the woods with a view of Sainte-Victoire and the entire surrounding valley. Easy to follow as the route is on main paths

Whether you want a leisurely family outing or a brisk run, this circular allows you to escape Le Tholonet on tracks and paths with little traffic, offering views of Montagne Sainte-Victoire.

This short hike offers a circuit that alternates between cliff tops and narrow valleys. After thefirst part, which offers a panoramic view of the entire hike and a passage over the Zola Dam, thesecond part immerses you in the Petite Mer valley (along the La Cause stream) and its dam.

This hike offers breathtaking, legendary views of Lake Zola, with the Montagne Sainte-Victoire painted by Cézanne in the background. Marked paths alternate with wild trails.

A family outing, a cultural outing, an architectural outing... and a culinary outing if you like! Fountains, cathedrals, churches, museums, theatres, hotels, squares and other attractions... The main things to discover when you come to Aix-en-Provence, a city of water, art, history and well-being!

A challenging hike to the peaks of Bau Trauqua mountain via the valley of the Grotte des Ermites, then back via the Col Sainte Anne and the Grotte du Facteur. Along the way, you will find caves, grottos, springs and a well. A wild landscape with strangely shaped rocks.

This hike, which runs through the north-western part of the Étoile massif, offers exceptional 360° panoramic views from Aix to Marseille, passing by the Étang de Berre and the Marseille harbour. The route alternates between valleys and paths with spectacular views.

An original circular in the Étoile massif to discover numerous wells and old lime kilns.

Hike through a landscape of rocks and vegetation dotted with ochre and red earth. The first part of the route follows a very wide path in the footsteps of Cézanne, offering extraordinary views of the Sainte-Victoire mountain (south-west side, the most painted by the artist), the Refuge Cézanne and the ruins of the hamlet of Le Trou. The second part is shaded, on a small path, shorter and wilder.

A beautiful hike in the Étoile massif on tracks or paths with magnificent views of Marseille, the Étoile and Mediterranean vegetation: fig trees, arbutus trees, heather, rosemary, etc.

The circuit allows you to discover pretty secret valleys in the Grand Puech massif and magnificent panoramic views of Marseille, Cadolive and Sainte-Victoire.

A short hike in the Étoile massif between tracks and trails. You will often come across a herd of goats roaming free on or near the boules court. Please do not feed them (there is a sign reminding you that this is prohibited). However, if you have any water left over after your hike, especially in summer, please feel free to fill their water tanks.

This very easy hike takes you in the footsteps of the viewpoints painted by Cézanne. The route takes you around the Sainte-Victoire National Nature Reserve. Along the way, you will see the Bimont dam, the Doudon aqueduct and an old marble quarry.

A magnificent hike following the closure of the Bimont dam for over a year during the week. Superb views, to be enjoyed clockwise as you climb towards the Bimont dam. 11/09/2024: Closure of the Imoucha trail for 3 months, from 1 October to 31 December (2024 and 2025). Hike not possible during these periods. See practical information.

A beautiful hike in the Massif de l'Etoile, with superb views of Marseille, its surroundings and the Frioul Islands. The colours and scents of the heath accompany walkers throughout the circuit.

Another idea for a route to reach the magnificent site of La Parloire is to take beautiful trails with views of Marseille, the Chaîne de l'Étoile and the Montagne de Sainte-Victoire.

An easy hike, mostly on fairly wide tracks, then a path leading to the Aire de la Moure from the Vallon de Mordeau. Beautiful views of Marseille and all the surrounding hills with beautiful colours to discover. You may even see black pigs raised organically along the way.

A circular walk on fairly wide tracks in the Plan de Cuques Communal Forest with beautiful views of the surrounding mountains and the city of Marseille, starting from La Montade. The first part of the walk is quite strenuous as it climbs steadily. The second part is downhill. Can be done on foot or by bike.

Une magnifique promenade sur l'un des plus hauts massifs de Provence qui convient pour une sortie du club de randonnée en autocar (le départ du parking du barrage de Bimont et l'arrivée à Vauvenargues). La montée au Prieuré et à la Croix de Provence se fait par le sentier Imoucha et la descente par le sentier des Venturiers. De sublimes paysages de Paul Cézanne en 3D au sommet : la basse Provence jusqu'à la mer et l'étang de Berre, le sommet du mont Ventoux, les contours des Alpes au Nord.Attention. Un randonneur signale le 17 septembre 2024 :- Fermeture du Sentier Imoucha pour travaux du 01/10/2024 au 31/12/2024 et du 01/10/2025 au 31/10/2025.- Fermeture du Prieuré pour travaux jusqu'au 31/12/2024.

A hike that takes you up to the Sainte-Victoire priory and the Croix de Provence from the Plan d'En Chois car park.

A physical loop hike along Sainte-Victoire, a climb to Prieuré Sainte-Victoire / Croix de Provence through Bau Cézanne and going back through "le Gouffre de Garagaï" and "les deux Aiguilles".

A beautiful hike up one of the highest mountains in the Provence: the magnificent Sainte-Victoire. Enjoy 360° views as far as the Alps and the Ventoux. The Priory alone is well worth the effort.

This short loop from the Bimont dam allows you to visit Roques Hautes. It is very accessible, even for families. You will see a marble quarry, numerous busy meadows and, of course, a beautiful view of the Sainte-Victoire mountain. There are a few changes to the route in the reserve, see the notices

A hike through the pines and scrubland of the Massif du Garlaban, so dear to Marcel Pagnol. Starting from the Pichauris car park, the circuit first leads you to the Puits de l'Aroumi (the wells of Aroumi) then the Mont du Marseillais along beautiful, well marked paths, often along ridges, offering magnificent views over Marseille, Sainte-Victoire, Mont Ventoux and, in good weather, the Préaples de Provence. The intense luminosity of the rocks under the brilliance of the sun will leave no-one indifferent.

This hike starts from Pichauris and takes you through spectacular scenery: La Parloire, a large, steep cirque reminiscent of an ancient theatre, and Barre Coupée, a long rock formation that looks as if it has been carved with an axe and has only one point of passage.

A walk in a regional park with beautiful trails, varied routes and trees, trees and more trees. Departure from the park’s car park at the Pichauris Hostel.

The tour of the Cengle plateau is an easy circular hike around the Cengle plateau, a veritable balcony offering splendid and unusual views of the Sainte-Victoire Mountain. You can also start from Beaurecueil (car park at the start of the path) or from the Bouquet car park on the CD 17 before Saint Antonin. It should also be noted that this area is much less frequented than the rest of the Sainte Victoire massif.

This short hike runs along the steepest slopes of the mountain, where you will be dazzled by the mineral colours of the rock. You will discover the ruins of a medieval Celtic-Ligurian fortified settlement abandoned around the 10th century on the Untinos oppidum, and the return route offers magnificent views of the ochre ridges in the foreground of Sainte-Victoire.

La meilleure manière d'apprécier la Montagne Sainte-Victoire n'est pas nécessairement de monter au sommet mais peut être bien de rester à son pied. La boucle décrite ici, à l'aplomb de la Croix de Provence, vous fera découvrir la Face Sud sous tous les angles, de près et avec du recul. L'itinéraire est varié, vallonné avec de superbes vues.

This hike around Peypin will allow you to discover the village, its history and its hills. You will walk along a stream, which is remarkable when in full flow with its small waterfall and pools, and follow paths through shady valleys. The hike ends with a tour of the village's narrow streets and a visit to the castle. If you wish, you can skip this last part (see (8) for things to do nearby).

A loop hike on the south side of Sainte-Victoire Montagne allowing access to the ridge via the Marbrière and the Brèche du Clapier (gap). The walk along the ridge towards the Croix de Provence offers splendid views. Descent via the Priory, the Pas du Berger and the Cézanne Shelter.

Sainte-Victoire is a highlight of Provence for hikers and climbers. Before you start, make sure access to the massif is allowed because a regulation is applicable from 1 June to 30 September which and can limit access hours.