The climb up Grand Margès

Date of walk : Sep 28, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

We did the hike in the opposite direction to the suggested route, starting from the Col d'Illoire.
As a result, section 4, which is initially marked as an uphill climb from the Vaumale fountain to the meadow, proved particularly difficult when descending (meadow → fountain). The undergrowth was very wet and extremely slippery, and the markings were almost completely worn away.
However, the panoramic views more than justified the effort required, and the beauty of the landscape quickly made us forget these tricky sections.

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Date of walk : Apr 27, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Beautiful view of the left bank of the Verdon River and Lake Sainte-Croix.

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Date of walk : Nov 11, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

Completed on Monday on a beautiful autumn day. Luckily, the road was closed to traffic, otherwise we wouldn't have taken this section. The 4/5 rating for interest is based solely on the overly long section on the road, which should be avoided on days when it is open... but the route itself is truly splendid. It's also a hike that I wouldn't do in the middle of summer.

Several comments mention some really steep or very technical sections, which we didn't find particularly challenging. Of course, this depends on your level of experience, and in any case, it's always best to be cautious.

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Date of walk : Sep 14, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Trip taken on 15 September 2024
By following the route precisely, the hike went quite well.
However, the climb from point 4 to 5 is very technical, difficult to follow (path unclear) and very rough. We found it borderline dangerous.
I wouldn't have done it as a round trip and I really don't recommend it

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Date of walk : Jun 17, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Busy trail : Yes

Very beautiful route... difficult at the beginning, no time to warm up and you're already in the thick of the climb.
It's a real shame that it's a round trip because there's a big 5 km climb and the return is difficult if you don't like descents, which in this case are very rough and dangerous when you're tired.
But the view is worth it

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Date of walk : Feb 19, 2024
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Route completed on 17 February.
Departure from the Col d'Illoire towards Bauduen, then climb to the Grand Margès (7-1-2-5-6-5-4-7)
A very pleasant route, especially the final section, which starts with the lovely Clot de la Glacière meadow and then climbs to the summit. Beautiful views of the gorges, the lake, the Valensole plateau, etc.
We didn't do section 2-3 as we chose to return by road. There were few cars on a Saturday in February, so there was no problem using it
We took section 5-4, which is a very steep descent with a few small rocky outcrops towards the Vaumale fountain. The yellow markings are often faded, especially with the fallen leaves, but this isn't a problem on the way down as it's fairly easy to see where to go and you can see the road. However, I wouldn't have done it on the way up as there's a risk of getting lost

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Date of walk : May 06, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Hike starting from a bend after the Col d'Iloire and returning via the GR 9. The climb up the Grand Marges is not very difficult and the view of Lake Saint Croix is magnificent. We encountered some ibexes. The descent into the small forest is quite steep and the return via the GR 9 is quite dangerous, with some rocky sections. It is possible to return via a crossroads just before the summit, arriving at the Vaumalle fountain, but part of the route will be on a tarmac road

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Date of walk : Jan 08, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

We did this hike in winter, so there was quite a lot of snow. You don't need much equipment to get through the snow, but it can still be a bit dangerous at times. We followed the exact route, which was lucky because we wouldn't have been able to get down the other side with all the snow..
It's a difficult hike in this weather, but it's definitely worth it! An incredible view for 80% of the hike.
A great workout and a chance to get away from it all.

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Date of walk : Oct 22, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

I did this tour on 23 October 2021.
Luckily, I am a good walker and my wife was not with me, because I would certainly have had to turn back like the person who posted their comment on 27/10/2020.
Although you ask us not to mention the signposting, it is essential to do so here for the simple reason that part of the suggested route follows yellow PR signposts. However, this PR route no longer exists, having been abandoned.
I therefore advise anyone wishing to do this route to go up and down via the GR 99 between points 2 and 5 and not to do the outward section between points 2 and 5 via points 3 and 4. Furthermore, at point 4, at the Vaumale fountain, the large tree mentioned in the description has been cut down and the embankment has partially collapsed, making access to the old yellow-marked trail very, very difficult, even dangerous.
On the positive side, once you reach the summit, the views are breathtaking.

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Date of walk : Jun 01, 2021
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Superb hike with superb views
the climb is long but not difficult
On the way back from Grand Margès, I went from point 5 to point 2 to avoid taking the road from point 3 to point 7, which is already quite long and a little dangerous for my liking.
for me, the start is from the car park at the Saint Pierre chapel opposite the campsite.
i found the hike to be more average than difficult, but it all depends on the level of the walkers, of course.

the hike is a walk, not a race

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Date of walk : May 27, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Very beautiful hike, not many people.
A bit of a long stretch on the road in direct sunlight, but the view is fantastic, which makes up for it.
Beautiful view at the end, and almost no one at the summit.

No technical or other difficulties.

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Date of walk : Feb 21, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Great quick hike. By setting off early, you avoid the crowds. Superb views. Well signposted with GR markings and even snow at the top! Excellent!

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Date of walk : Oct 26, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

A superb hike, not to be missed. We did it at the end of October with the sublime colours of Indian summer.
However, we were unable to complete the difficult climb from the Vaumale fountain (stage 4) as we couldn't see the yellow trail markers. We think this was due to the thick carpet of leaves, or perhaps the markers need to be replaced. We therefore had to climb back down (which wasn't easy as the slope was very steep) and return to the GR99.

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Date of walk : Sep 16, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A very beautiful hike with superb views of Lake Sainte-Croix and the Verdon Gorge. Quite a challenging hike, but the effort is rewarded by the magnificent scenery. We followed the route from start to finish. Thank you for sharing.

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Date of walk : Feb 23, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very beautiful hike in February. I took the D71 at the start; there aren't many cars at this time of year, but in summer it must be hell. The view of the ravine is superb, but there is no pavement or shoulder. Once you reach the Vaumale fountain, access to the trail that joins the GR 99 is very difficult and the trail is not (or no longer) marked. It is very slippery, steep and even dangerous, so I would strongly advise against it. Bring plenty of water for the walk, especially in high season, as the trail is challenging. There are some very pleasant shaded sections through boxwood woods. It's uphill, but the view is worth the effort. Enjoy your walk.

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