The Mont Chiran observatory

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A pleasant hike in a beautiful setting with no difficulties. Just for relaxation.
This hike complements the Portail de Blieux hike described on the website.

Details

n°248686
Creation:
Last update:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.05 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 648 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 650 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,901 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,251 m
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Photos

Le Grand Mourre
toilets at the summit
Chapel (starting point)
Summit

Description of the walk

To reach the start of this hike, go to the village of La Palud-sur-Verdon and take the D123. A few kilometres further on, at the intersection, turn right towards Les Chauvets and join the D17, then continue towards Les Chauvets.
Just before Les Chauvets, on your right, you will see the Chapelle Saint-Pierre. The start is right next to it, where you can park.

(S/E) The start is just to the left of the chapel if you are facing it. Take the dirt road.

(1) Leave the road and turn left, following the signs for Mont Chiran on a more natural path that leads to the Portail de Blieux.

(2) Continue along the path on the left and you will reach the dirt track leading to the observatory.

(3) Follow the track and climb up to Mont Chiran to enjoy the 360° view. This is the highest peak within 40 km.

(4). Begin the descent to the track, cutting across the first few bends.

(3) At the fork in a right-hand bend, take the same path as on the way up to return to the car park (S/E)

Enjoy your hike and your ride, everyone. This hike is not difficult and offers very pleasant scenery.

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,253 m - Saint-Pierre Chapel
  2. 1 : km 0.59 - alt. 1,316 m - Turn left towards Le Chiran
  3. 2 : km 2.96 - alt. 1,616 m - Blieux gate, view of the Alps
  4. 3 : km 3.22 - alt. 1,642 m - Take the dirt road to the summit
  5. 4 : km 5.44 - alt. 1,901 m - Mont Chiran Observatory
  6. S/E : km 10.05 - alt. 1,251 m - Saint-Pierre Chapel

Notes

At the summit, there is a relay station.
No special equipment required, possible if snowy.
This hike is not difficult and offers very pleasant scenery.
It may be cool at the summit.

Worth a visit

Note: You can even book your overnight stay and meals on the Mont Chiran Observatory website
Stunning 360° views of the Alps, Mont Chauve, Sainte-Victoire, Lac de Sainte-Croix and the sea (on a clear day).

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 30 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.9 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.9 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
Gillou7157
Gillou7157

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Very nice hike

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gbg
gbg

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 30, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful, easy hike. The view from the summit is stunning, and you can see for miles on a clear day. Perfect description

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varrando
varrando

Superb hike with no difficulties. Starting from Les Chauvets, you reach the summit at 1,974 metres via the superb rocky rampart of the "Portail de Blieux". panoramic view of the Pre-Alps, Lake Sainte-Croix, the Valensole plateau, Sainte-Beaume in the distance, etc. In short, a climb that is really worth it for these limestone mountains that rise up and form a rugged landscape typical of the Verdon.

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sandra.charbonnel
sandra.charbonnel

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 25, 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, not too difficult, with a superb slideshow.

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Anne Noelle
Anne Noelle

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 11, 2024
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 no particular difficulties. The landscape is very open, so there are magnificent views of the surrounding area throughout. I would still recommend being a little used to walking, as there is a climb on the way up and (inevitably) a descent on the way back. Best done in clear weather to fully enjoy the magnificent panorama, but be careful as it can get very hot (climb in the sun with no shade), so bring plenty of water (we climbed in 20 degrees with a slight breeze, so no problem with the effort)
THINGS TO BRING: a fleece or windbreaker for the windy summit, where the temperature can drop quickly

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sh/H
sh/H
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

This is our second time visiting the Mont Chiran observatory, and we are always amazed by the beauty of the landscape, especially in June with the broom and orchids in bloom... and the view
We were welcomed at the refuge (booking required) by Nicolas, the new caretaker, who provided us with a meal, breakfast and decent accommodation (perhaps in need of a refresh)
the weather was fairly clear at sunset and sunrise, so we got up at 4 a.m. to admire the stars and moon from the observatory, where Nicolas shared his passion with us
Bring warm clothing (depending on the season), 15°C at 4 a.m. on 27/06/24

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Nadpelvanh
Nadpelvanh

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

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

A summit offering exceptional 360° views.
However, the three disparate buildings detract somewhat from the enjoyment of the landscape.

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SOLIGNAC
SOLIGNAC

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 05, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike done in rainy weather, tracked with GPS.
Very nice hike, a charming bar in Rougon for a hot chocolate

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RandoProvence
RandoProvence
• Edited:

Very nice walk on 2/11/2022
Everything is said in the comments. Bring plenty of water as there is no shade, and remember that you will be climbing to over 1,900 metres...
Video teaser and photos in the Facebook link below
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_f...
or YouTube
https://youtu.be/DeWB_h5O-vU

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Magali83
Magali83

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 30, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

No particular difficulty. I would still recommend being somewhat accustomed to walking, as it is all uphill on the way there and (inevitably) all downhill on the way back. However, the scenery between the two is breathtaking. It is best to do this on a clear day to fully enjoy the magnificent panorama.
ESSENTIALS: warm clothing and a windbreaker for the very windy summit! I brought a hat and was glad I did.

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BG30
BG30

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 26, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very quiet at this time of year. Best enjoyed on a clear day with crisp air to take in the magnificent views, especially of the Alps.

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laurent83260
laurent83260

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 09, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Round trip hike.
Climb up the Chauvets trail to the Blieux Gate, then follow the track to the summit.
Beautiful panoramic view on arrival.
No particular difficulties, excellent signposting.
Bring a windbreaker for the summit.
This hike is best done in clear weather to fully enjoy the view.

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Sloa
Sloa

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 06, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful, fairly easy hike. At the Blieux gate, you can already glimpse the beauty of the magnificent landscapes
At an altitude of 1,950 metres, you can enjoy superb 360° views
Worth doing again and again, depending on the season

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Tchoun
Tchoun

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 01, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Nice hike, but it's a shame that it's a round trip on the same trail (no option to loop back) and that the end of the trail to the observatory is on a dirt track (several hairpin bends).

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Sharkz
Sharkz

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 23, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Just like near the chapel. Cars everywhere, but there's a small space available. I get ready, then climb up, and as soon as I see Mount Chiran, I'm already amazed. The road climbs gently, and I slowly approach the mountain. When I reach the gate to Blieux, I'm speechless. What a magnificent view! I had read in the comments that the view would be breathtaking, and now I can confirm it. I continue climbing and when I reach the top, I'm treated to a superb 360° view. I take a break up there, enjoying the peace and quiet, then head back down. For my first hike with Visorando, I'm really happy.

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