Grans walks

A walk to discover bories (dry-stone huts), perfect for a little mountain biking special, alternating between false-flat single trails (be careful of the trees!) and wide rolling tracks to get your heart pumping or to work on your endurance.

This varied and easy loop takes you to the village of Cornillon-Confoux, one of the most beautiful hilltop villages in Provence. The village, with its stone houses and cobbled streets, offers exceptional views on both sides.The site of Cornillon, steeped in history, has been inhabited since Neolithic times.In the surrounding area, you will discover many traces of a farming and pastoral past.

An easy walk around Grans and through the Crau Verte, avoiding busy roads as much as possible, starting from the west of Salon-de-Provence.

During this very easy walk on flat ground alternating between tracks and small roads, you can admire beautiful drystone shelters and a bee wall. Drystone shelters are huts built from dry stones that served as temporary dwellings for farmers in Provence in the 19th century. The bee wall, or Apier, is an 18th-century dry stone wall, 60 metres long, with 56 niches (originally 200) where beekeepers used to shelter their straw hives from the mistral wind and bad weather.

This easy, mostly shaded hike takes just over 3 hours and will allow you to discover the Cabasse and Belval plains as well as the Collet de la Garde with its 360° panoramic view. Along the way, you will discover the restored Jas du Pape sheepfold with its enclosure and well, evidence of pastoral activity in the hills. You will also walk alongside the medieval Pougnois Canal, dug in the 11th century by the monks of Montmajour Abbey.

Miramas-le-Vieux is a pretty little medieval village overlooking the northern part of the Étang de Berre, which is well worth a visit at the start or end of your walk. This route crosses the site of the former national gunpowder factory, which can be visited on Wednesdays or Sundays, heading towards the Chapelle Saint-Michel, which overlooks Istres, the Étang de l’Olivier and its fountain, and the Étang de Berre. Unfortunately, we were unable to complete the planned circular route as, as is often the case in Provence these days, wire mesh barriers have sprung up since our last visit two years ago, so we had to settle for the route published today.

Located east of Salon-de-Provence, Tallagard is a plateau that stretches towards Aurons and Vernègues and offers easy hikes. Several well-preserved drystone shelters are visible from the start of the hike. The view is pleasant, overlooking the Alpilles, Mont Ventoux, Sainte-Baume and Sainte-Victoire.

This trail is a pleasant walk in the heart of the Tallagard massif, among olive groves, forests and heath.

Interpretation trail and discovery of the agro-pastoral heritage around drystone walls and drystone shelters. Information panels along the trail explain the drystone constructions.

This trail invites you to discover the pastoral and agricultural life of yesteryear. This circuit offers a glimpse of the unique features of the Tallagard Massif at every turn.

This hike takes you through the Parc de la Poudrerie in Saint-Chamas (please note the opening hours; see Practical Information), as well as the medieval village of Miramas-le-Vieux. You can see the old buildings, exhibitions on site and, with a bit of luck, spot some birds.Following the GPX track may prove useful.

A peaceful hike near Pélissane, which partly follows the route of an ancient Roman road.

A gentle walk with little elevation gain, on wide, sunny tracks, among kermes oaks, pines and Provençal herbs. Views of the Étang de Berre lagoon and, at times, Montagne Sainte-Victoire.

A short walk in a protected area on the edge of the Étang de Berre and its industries. All the vegetation of the wetlands, birds galore. Moderator's note Please note that part of this loop is closed between April and July. See notices.

A hike in the Lançon hills to discover an ancient Gallic farm, the Chappe Telegraph and several viewpoints over the Étang de Berre lagoon.

At the start, there is a winding climb; then the ridge trail allows you to admire the landscape on the Durance valley side and towards the Crau plain. The descent to Eyguières continues along the famousGR®6trail, and the return to the starting point is via a very pleasant, shaded path.

Hiking in the Alpilles, starting from the Eyguières bullring. A quiet start among olive trees and cicadas at the foot of the Opies. You'll discover the old Romanière sheep pens. The ascent starts on a beautiful path through the maquis and ends with a little climb to finish at the Tour de Guet where a magnificent 360° view awaits you. You can also visit the vestiges of Villa Gallo Romaine.

A short hike above Istres with views of the Étang de Berre and La Crau.

A hike starting from Eyguières with its two enclosed springs, the Fontaine des Bormes and the Fontaine Gilouse. A walk in the Défens d'Eyguières, with fine views of the ruins of Roquemartine Castle, the Durance valley and, if the weather is fine, the Mont Ventoux. Access to the Grottes de Calès site is forbidden. Return by the olive groves below the Défens d'Eyguières. __Caution! Because of the nature of the rock (mollasse sandstone, and therefore friable) and the cliffs, parts of the site are dangerous. A municipal order prohibiting access to these areas is currently in force. Take great care.__

Alternative route to the Défens d'Eyguiéres - Lamanon les Grottes de Calès hike. It bypasses the caves, which are closed to visitors, and passes in front of the chapel and the spring. Hike starting from Eyguiéres with its two fountains, Bormes and Gillouse. Walk in Défens d'Eyguiéres, beautiful views of the ruins of Roquemartine Castle, the Durance Valley and, in good weather, Mont Ventoux. Return via the olive groves of Défens d'Eyguières.

This walk in the Alpilles Regional Nature Park is located near Eyguières and Lamanon in the Bouches-du-Rhône. This circular route takes you to the foothills of the Défends and Mont Menu and will allow you to discover caves, a watchtower, a dovecote, and the remains of chapels and castles. Along the way, you will also enjoy beautiful, unobstructed views of the Crau plain, the Alpilles, the Luberon and Mont Ventoux.

A short but fairly challenging hike at the foot of the Défens d'Eyguières.

A fine, challenging circuit in rocky terrain. A few technical sections add spice to this route, as does the intriguing section passing through the two-ended cave on the Mont Menu. The Mont Menu ridge requires concentration and a sense of direction since the cairns are few and far between. There is always a superb view in every direction: the Étang de Berre, the plain of the Crau, Aureille, the Alpilles, the Mont Ventoux, the Luberon and of course the cliffs of the Mont Menu.

The Tour des Opies is the highest point in the Alpilles mountain range, rising to 498 m and offering a 360° panoramic view of the Durance plain, the Rhône, the Comtat Venaissin, the Camargue plain and the Crau plain as far as the Étang de Berre. The route, located in the Alpilles Natural Park, begins in the wooded valley of Les Glauges. It leads to the ruins of a Gallo-Roman villa. On the way back, a visit to the charming village of Aureille is a must.

A lovely route around the Étang de l'Olivier lake near the town of Istres.

The "Alleins Cœur de village" association offers this very pleasant hike in the Massif des Costes. There is plenty of shade along the route, with beautiful views of the Luberon. The route is accessible to all, although there are a few very steep sections on the descent to Alleins. Nothing dangerous, but you do need to wear sturdy footwear.

This pretty little loop runs alongside olive groves and the Civadières climbing cliffs, climbs up to the watchtower and then descends to the village via a track and a large valley crossed by theGR® 6 hiking trail. The route mainly follows wide, easy paths that allow you to admire the landscape. From the top of the watchtower, on a clear day you can see the Crau plain, the Mediterranean Sea and the Étang de Berre to the south, and the Calans mountain range silhouetted against the horizon to the north.

In the heart of the Alpilles Regional Nature Park, this circuit crosses vast olive groves, runs alongside a canal and an old sandpit, and passes close to a Vaudoret oil mill.

A pleasant walk through the Alpilles. Not particularly difficult, this is a hike that is excellent for beginners. Nevertheless, there are beautiful stretches, commanding views and surprising natural displays of surprise and vigour.