Large circular on the south side and ridges of Sainte-Victoire

Date of your route : Nov 09, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike completed this Sunday in ideal weather conditions, with sunshine and no wind. Perfect for exploring the southern side of the massif at this time of year.
So, on Sunday, there were people all along the route, climbers on the first third, and lots of walkers from the Croix de Provence onwards on the last third.
It should be noted that between 7 and 9, both trails are theoretically closed due to construction, but everyone uses them anyway.
I climbed up to the Croix and also took a wrong turn two or three times along the route before checking the GPS track. The hike took 8½ hours, including breaks and brief visits.
It was physically demanding due to the 1,100 m elevation gain. For me, the most difficult part was the descent on the slabs after the Pas de l'Escalette because my knee was playing up and made the last few kilometres more difficult (joints are of course put under strain on this type of hike).
Nevertheless, it was a very interesting route, with beautiful views and interesting sites along the way. It was a wonderful day. Many thanks to the author for this suggestion.

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

The description is good, the points of interest are worthwhile, and the brown markings up to the ridges have recently been redone. The chain passages are well secured, but overall the route is quite difficult (for experienced hikers). Even on the ridges, you have to constantly concentrate on your steps to avoid falling or straying too far from the route.
No hikers up to the Cross..
The end – after the Priory and the descent to the Pas de l'Escalette on the slabs – is exhausting, with fatigue setting in after 6 or 7 hours, and finally, the passage through the Oppidum seems endless to reach the starting point.
We took our time along the way, but we finished just at sunset..
my GPS indicated 20 km rather than 16. Tip: Leave very early or don't stop too much along the way. It took us about 11 hours with breaks, in ideal weather conditions.

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Date of your route : Jul 31, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike done in July 2025
The brown trails between 2-3-4, which were marked as difficult to see, have been redone and are now perfectly visible.
The section between 5 and 6 is more difficult to follow because once you reach the ridge, the landscape opens up considerably and there are several routes. The GR route is a little unclear at this point, but it is easy to find thanks to the cairn, which is visible from a distance.
After Sainte Croix, I took the "Variante" path from point 7, which was very technical and much harder than the 4-5 section. The yellow route is clearly visible, but several chains would be welcome. I recommend this route only to experienced hikers.
Overall, a beautiful hike!
Remember to take 3 litres of water - with 2 litres I ran out somewhere between 7 and 9.

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Date of your route : May 01, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant trail up to km 4. When you arrive at the chapel, there are lots of people because it is accessible via another route with a car park nearby, making it easily accessible for families. From the chapel and the red trail, the path turns into a via ferrata with a drop on one side and a rope on the other to climb over the rocks. This trail is therefore not recommended for people who are afraid of heights or who are walking with animals off the leash.

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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 : No

Very beautiful hike.
It's really steep between the St Ser hermitage and the ridge, but not too difficult. (between points 4 and 5)
The descent from the Pas de l'Escalette (just after point 8) is marked as prohibited due to the risk of falling rocks. I went through anyway and the passage didn't seem that risky to me. There were a few rocks that had fallen, but nothing serious.
As for the comments about the difference between the length and the elevation gain stated, the recording of the hike on Visorando gave me exactly the data stated.

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Date of your route : Jan 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike with magnificent views. Very few people on the eastern section. The passage between 4 and 5 is a bit challenging and could do with another chain. The markings have recently been redone above Saint Ser. Distance according to GPS: 18.80 km. Elevation gain: 1,339 m. Travel time: 5 hours 20 minutes.

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Date of your route : Sep 26, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

This route is long but does not present any technical difficulties. On the ridge, you simply need to move from one rock to another.
Magnificent views in all seasons, but avoid in summer (heat) and when the mistral wind is strong.
I have done this route at least 10 times, including in the snow. You just need to be careful below the cross.
It is better to do it in the opposite direction to avoid ending up with the uninteresting descent of the GR.

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Date of your route : Oct 15, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

just a question about the distance. My GPS showed closer to 20 km than the 16 km indicated in the description, so allow for a margin.
The section just after the St SER hermitage, going up towards the pass with the chain, can be very difficult and even dangerous with a dog. We managed it with our 30 kg dog because he let himself be carried without moving while I held on to the chain with one hand

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Date of your route : Sep 13, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Great hike, but...
- climb after the St Sert hermitage: although I had no problem with the section secured by chains, the climb to the pass is over scree, which I found quite difficult.
- I found the path along the ridge difficult with its constant vertical rocks, but the view more than made up for it.
- From the Croix de Provence, I confirm the previous reviews regarding the slippery sections.
- Having taken the first red-marked trail after the priory (an alternative mentioned in the guidebook), I found the Pas du Berger dangerous. The 3/4 m descent is slippery and requires some down-climbing with few handholds.
But the views are magnificent and make up for the difficulties.

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

The previous comment sums up this beautiful hike very well. However, the climb to Col de St Ser is steep. It is therefore useful to use your hands beyond the starting point, which is secured by a chain, and I find it difficult to use walking sticks, even though the rest of the hike is less steep. After that, there are no difficulties, except that it is best to remain vigilant on the descent after La Croix de Provence and Le Prieuré, as the rock is very worn and even shiny. The same applies to the Pas de l'Escalette: the descent is short but steep, and the rock is slippery. On the other hand, the markings (closely spaced red dots) really follow the best footholds.
Each stage is as beautiful as the next (marble quarry, refuge, hermitage, cross, priory)!
This route, taken in this direction, is not very busy until La Croix de Provence.
We kept to the estimated time with several breaks, but we clocked up 1,200 metres of elevation gain and 19 km instead of the 16 km advertised. Given our pace, this seems reasonable. It is therefore necessary to bring enough water and sun cream when it is hot. And it was hot yesterday (6 May)!

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Date of your route : Apr 08, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike to do in spring or autumn. Indeed, this south-facing slope is constantly bathed in sunshine. The first part of the hike, from the start to point 4 (St Ser hermitage), allows you to warm up and familiarise yourself with the terrain. Things get tougher between point 4 and point 5 (Col de St Ser). A small step in the rocks secured by chains takes you into the mountainous area. Be careful, it's a bit slippery and the slope is steep. Once on the plateau, the hike is pleasant with beautiful views of Mont Ventoux and the Alps. Be careful, it can be difficult to cross if it's windy. There are crowds at the Croix de Provence this Easter weekend. There are lots of people from the Croix (point 6) to the Pas de l'Escalette (point 8). The rocks are slippery due to overcrowding. Take care on the descent from the Pas de l'Escalette. Walking sticks are welcome. At the Cézanne refuge, the hike is not over, as the remaining 2.7 km are not easy. I recorded a total elevation gain of 1,500 m over a distance of 18 km, and it took us an hour longer than expected.

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Date of your route : Jun 12, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Thank you for this lovely itinerary and its helpful description.
Two things to note:
The route was mostly very quiet. However, it was busy from Croix de Provence to halfway down the descent (Pas de l'Escalette). It can be very busy at certain times of the year. The hot weather had reduced the number of visitors on 12 June.
As a result of the previous point, the section of the route mentioned is very slippery, as the numerous passages have polished the limestone. Walking sticks are strongly recommended.
Other than that, this circular is a delight

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Date of your route : Jun 03, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Lovely walk

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