La Barben walks

A short walk near Salon-de-Provence offering views of arid vegetation on the hillsides and denser vegetation in the valley. Please note: there appears to be a private property issue at (1) after crossing the ford. => User comment on 28 January 2025.At this location, the signs were very dissuasive: the first one saying: "No unauthorised access. Sworn guard", the second: "Private property - no trespassing" and the third: "Danger - traps".

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

A short hike along the Marseille Canal in the heath.

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 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 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.

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.

Vernègues is a small village in the Bouches-du-Rhône region, rich in Roman and medieval remains.

Hike around Vieux Vernègues, where 20th-century buildings stand alongside older ones.

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

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.

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.

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 route is quite challenging as it passes over several ridges of Mont Trésor and the heights of the Plateau de Séze. The slopes are sometimes quite rugged. This area is wild and very quiet, but it offers views over the Durance valley to the Alpilles and the southern mountains of the department. Please note: the elevation gain is closer to 520 metres.

This route will take you past Mont Trésor, Cuou de Peyrou, the Marseille Canal and the Sainte-Anne Chapel in Goiron, with beautiful views of the Durance plain, the Luberon, the village of Malemort, etc.

This is a short, technical circular in a wild and rugged, unfrequented area, offering views from below and above of the Cul-de-Chaudron (Cuou de Peyrou), an old hiking trail carved into the rock, which is unfortunately no longer passable. The hike takes place mainly in the forest and in cool valley bottoms, with some passages along ridges offering views of the landscape. Please note: this hike includes some steep or exposed sections, so good footwear is essential, as is experience of walking on steep and sometimes vertiginous terrain.

A 2½-hour circular walk above Lambesc. A steady climb through the woods, then along the ridge of the Côtes mountain range, with superb 360° views of the Étang de Berre, the Alpilles, Mont Ventoux, the Luberon, the Alpes du Verdon and Sainte Victoire. Return via the plateau of the hamlet of Janet through vineyards along farm tracks.

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 route, which presents no particular difficulties, is designed to appeal to both walkers seeking beautiful views and history enthusiasts. It offers a pleasant way to discover a corner of Provence between the Durance and the Alpilles whilst appreciating the harmony with nature that people have been able to achieve over the centuries. Notes: as there are numerous paths in this area, the use of a GPS is strongly recommended. The suggested routes, which largely avoid forest tracks, can be viewed on OSM and OSM Rando maps. Although largely shaded, the route is exposed to the sun during the climb up the Défens.

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.

A short walk of about an hour. Beautiful views of the Luberon and the villages of Vaucluse.