The Aureille Loop

de fr

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.

Details

n°4475346
Creation:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.93 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 263 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 264 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 338 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 130 m
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Photos

Arrival at the lookout
View of Les Opies
the Alpilles
View of the watchtower

Description of the walk

Park in the small car park by the cemetery.

(S/E) Follow theGR® trail eastwards (red and white markings). After about 300 m, leave theGR® trail and take a path on the left that heads north-northeast. Ignore the paths on the left that lead to farms.

(1) Continue along the path that veers left, skirting the olive groves and the Civadières cliffs.
The path on the right (blue markings) would lead to the Tour des Opies, the highest point in the Alpilles (496 m).

(2) Continue along the path on the left until you reach a road. Follow this road to the right for about 200 m.

(3) Cross the road carefully and take the track on the left, which has been washed away by the ravine.

(4) At the end of the left-hand bend, you will reach a junction. Turn right at an acute angle towards the watchtower (do not follow the blue markings).

(5) At the three-way junction, turn right (do not take the marked forest path that branches off to the left).

(6) At the fork, take the right-hand lane to quickly reach the watchtower. Descend to the fork.

(6) Keep right on the track that winds above small cliffs until you reach the crossroads.
N.B. If the track is closed for summer bull grazing, return to the previous fork and descend south on the Chemin Forestier, which rejoins the main route and the GR®.

(7) Take the track on the left (GR®, red and white markings). Stay on this marked track, heading south then south-south-east, and ignore all the tracks branching off to the sides.

(8) At the three-way junction, follow the Chemin de Saint-Jean on the left, which is theGR®653A(red and white markings). At the intersection, continue straight ahead (east) on a small road. At the end, turn left to see the old wash house.

(9) Turn right and cross a river (Gaudre d'Aureille). Continue straight ahead, ignoring the narrow streets on the right. Cross Rue du Château on the right, then turn right. You will come out on Rue du Mistral; follow it to the right. Pass the post office, then turn right onto Chemin de Saint-Pierre. This will take you to the cemetery car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 139 m - Parking near the cemetery
  2. 1 : km 1.52 - alt. 191 m - Fork in the road - Olive groves
  3. 2 : km 2.4 - alt. 185 m - Fork in the road
  4. 3 : km 2.91 - alt. 178 m - Intersection of road x track
  5. 4 : km 3.4 - alt. 218 m - Intersection
  6. 5 : km 4.39 - alt. 305 m - Three-way junction
  7. 6 : km 4.89 - alt. 320 m - Fourche - Access to the watchtower
  8. 7 : km 6.75 - alt. 249 m - Crossroads
  9. 8 : km 9.56 - alt. 156 m - Chemin de Saint-Jean
  10. 9 : km 10.44 - alt. 132 m - Wash house
  11. S/E : km 10.93 - alt. 138 m - Parking is available near the cemetery.

Worth a visit

The village is dominated by the ruins of the castle, which was built in the early 12th century.
A fortified village was then established at the foot of the hill.
It was under the authority of the Archbishop of Arles.
In 1593, during the Eighth War of Religion, the castle was attacked and destroyed.
The village was abandoned.
Around 1608, families returned to live in the area.
Today, there are around 1,500 inhabitants.

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

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Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 32 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
Cartier Geneviève
Cartier Geneviève

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 09, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

magnificent

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krhowl
krhowl

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 09, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant, easy hike. The Alpilles always offer beautiful scenery.

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pfla
pfla

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 11, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

a lovely outing entirely on wide tracks. The last "unpleasant" stony section mentioned in previous comments can easily be avoided by taking a path 1 metre away from the stony track
magnificent views of the Alpilles with unobstructed views throughout the walk.
avoid this hike in mistral weather!

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Louise b
Louise b

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 21, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The first half of the route to the lookout point is very pleasant, but the return is too straight and the descent on the rocks is tiring. I will try to find another way back.

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mbaiwir
mbaiwir

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 29, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant and varied hike with some beautiful views of the Alpilles. The only downside was the (short) stretch of stony ground at the end of the walk, which was rather unpleasant. Thank you for this lovely discovery.

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Papêche
Papêche

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 10, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful hike offering 360° views, no particular difficulties, with a map and directions. A little tip for future hikers: at the start of the hike, instead of going back up the road from the cemetery, cross the canal bridge and turn right, following the canal. You will rejoin the route a little further on and do the same on the way back.

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VALARI
VALARI

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 29, 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, easy route with magnificent views from the watchtower.

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spdu69
spdu69
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 05, 2024
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant and easy hike. Magnificent landscapes and the superb little village of Aureille! I highly recommend it

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Annie Tallard
Annie Tallard

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 15, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

I recommend this hike in a beautiful landscape with lots of variety

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nomisimon
nomisimon

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 14, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant, easy walk with beautiful views. We stopped for a break at the watchtower. Excellent.

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michris
michris

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

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

today, Monday 19 February, the mistral wind was blowing so hard that we couldn't really enjoy the scenery, but luckily we had already done it in better conditions. DON'T MISS IT: superb views of the Orpies

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LIONEL13118
LIONEL13118

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 03, 2023
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hello, I've done this route 14 times now, and I never get tired of it. Every time, it's a feast for the eyes and a source of wonder. To think that I live just 15 minutes from the start, and yet it took me 20 years to discover it... thanks to you and the Visiorando website!
I park at the entrance to the village, in the bus stop car park, which makes a total of 12 km. I would just like to point out that the exact elevation gain is 300 m (I measured it with two old-generation altimeters) and that ideally, it is better to do it in reverse (large rocks on the way up and more linear terrain on the way down).
Anyway, thank you, thank you... a thousand times thank you!

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bertrandbrigitte84
bertrandbrigitte84

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 13, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very beautiful hike, beautiful views
Thank you

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Tgmzt13
Tgmzt13

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 09, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A superb short hike in an idyllic setting in the heart of the Alpilles. No difficulty, suitable for families with children.

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LIONEL13118
LIONEL13118

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 01, 2023
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Thank you so much for sharing, it's a great insight into the beautiful Alpilles mountains. The landscapes are magnificent..

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Other walks in the area

Walking Aureille: through the olive groves

Association / Club / Walk leader
Aureille : à travers les oliveraies
↔10.69 km ↗+94 m ↘-92 m ◔3h 20 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Aureille (Bouches-du-Rhône)
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.

Walking Aureille to Eygualières

Visorando Member
Aureille à Eygalières
↔17.96 km ↗+380 m ↘-379 m ◔6h 15 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Aureille (Bouches-du-Rhône)
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.

Walking Les Caisses de Jean-Jean from Aureille

Visorando Member
Les Caisses de Jean-Jean depuis Aureille
↔16.38 km ↗+191 m ↘-191 m ◔5h 15 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Aureille (Bouches-du-Rhône)
An easy, family-friendly walk in the south of the Alpilles mountains. Passes near the Caisses de Jean-Jean oppidum. ⚠️ 19/08/2025: Hike not suitable for dogs. Herds of 3 to 4 goats with guard dogs watching over them.

Walking The hills above Les Mas

Visorando Member
Les collines au-dessus des Mas
↔10.15 km ↗+203 m ↘-203 m ◔3h 30 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Aureille (Bouches-du-Rhône)
A circular route that mainly follows wide, easy paths, offering views of the unforgettable landscapes of the Alpilles. From the top of the hills, there is a sweeping 360° panorama over the Crau plain, the Étang de Berre, and the surrounding hills. The actual elevation gain is 240 m according to my altimeter.

Walking Aureille lookout tower

Visorando Member
Vigie Aureille
↔8.15 km ↗+188 m ↘-192 m ◔2h 50 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Aureille (Bouches-du-Rhône)
The highlight of the walk is the wonderful view from the lookout tower over the Alpilles range, giving superb photo opportunities!

Walking The Opies Tower

Association / Club / Walk leader
La Tour des Opies
↔13.63 km ↗+419 m ↘-417 m ◔5h 05 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Eyguières (Bouches-du-Rhône)
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.

Walking La Tour des Opies without climbing and via the shortest route

Visorando Member
La Tour des Opies sans escalade et au plus court
↔5.50 km ↗+357 m ↘-357 m ◔2h 35 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Eyguières (Bouches-du-Rhône)
Hike to the Tour des Opies, the highest point of the Alpilles at 498 m, a round trip, taking the shortest route via the gentle path—the only one where you won’t need to use your hands. This walk offers a 360° panorama and a breathtaking view. On the way down, you can make a round trip to the Croix des Opies, situated in another valley, directly opposite the Tower, which offers a different panorama.

Walking The Opies and the Mont Menu from Eyguières

Visorando Member
Les Opies et les crêtes du Mont Menu depuis Eyguières
↔10.22 km ↗+601 m ↘-597 m ◔4h 40 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Eyguières (Bouches-du-Rhône)
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.

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