La Sainte-Baume from Riboux

A beautiful route along the ridges of Sainte-Baume, from east to west via the Col du Saint-Pilon and the Pas de la Cabre.

Details

108883
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 14.33 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 539 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 534 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,000 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 510 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Parking is available at the entrance to the village or at the exit near the RBX2 cistern.

(S/E) Leave the village via the north-east road leading to Le Pé de la Colle.

(1) At the exit, continue along the track and then take a wide path on the left that climbs steeply (yellow markings). Continue along this path until you reach a fork.

(2) Take the path on the right marked by a cairn, which continues straight ahead uphill, still marked in yellow. Continue climbing through the woods until you reach the rocky outcrops.

(3) The vegetation has disappeared, so now follow the fairly regular yellow markings on the rock on the ground, indicated by numerous small cairns.
This will take you up to the Sainte Baume ridge at the Col du Saint-Pilon.

(4) Follow this ridge westwards. Here, the markings are those ofthe GR®98(red and white).
Take a break to enjoy the view over the two departments, Var and Bouches-du-Rhône, and Mont Ventoux to the north. Continue on theGR®98to the military radars (antennas).

(5) Head south down a steep valley marked by yellow signs (towards Cuges).
The entrance to the trail is marked by a small cairn next to the antennas a few metres below.
This is the most unpleasant section of the route, with a fairly steep descent on a path covered with loose stones.

(6) Fortunately, the slope quickly levels out and you will find yourself on a very pleasant path through the woods.
Follow this yellow-marked trail to an intersection.

(7) Turn left towards Jas Frédéric and the cade oven.
The trail is now marked in blue. The trail runs southward on a balcony, turning eastward.

(8) The trail passes near a restored cade oven, a well and a hunting cabin.
At the foot of this trail, you will reach a DFCI track.

(9) Turn right, then immediately at a fork, take the left-hand path. Turn right towards an unmarked well.

(10) Turn right to go around the Jas de Frédéric, then right again to return to the fork you passed earlier.

(9) Continue on the track towards the east until you reach another fork (cistern).

(11) Continue left on the track.

(12) Leave the track leading to the Puits d'Arnaud on your left and continue on the same track for 150 m.

(13) Take the path on the left. There, I searched in vain for the path leading to the Puits de Guérin without finding it. You may have better luck than I did. I cut across the small fields and bushes. However, it is possible to continue on the main track to reach the road that leads left towards Riboux and then back to the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 514 m - Parking in the village of Sainte-Baume
  2. 1 : km 2.82 - alt. 612 m - Turn left after "Le Pé de la Colle".
  3. 2 : km 3.25 - alt. 665 m - At the cairn, turn right.
  4. 3 : km 3.83 - alt. 778 m - Follow the yellow markings.
  5. 4 : km 4.74 - alt. 952 m - Follow the ridge westwards. - Col du Saint Pilon (934m)
  6. 5 : km 8.63 - alt. 990 m - Descend the valley heading south.
  7. 6 : km 9.07 - alt. 839 m - The slope becomes gentler.
  8. 7 : km 9.58 - alt. 737 m - Head towards Jas Frédéric and the cade oven.
  9. 8 : km 10.48 - alt. 670 m - Cade oven
  10. 9 : km 10.81 - alt. 633 m - Go right around the Jas de Frédéric
  11. 10 : km 11.26 - alt. 614 m - Well not signposted
  12. 11 : km 12.72 - alt. 576 m - Turn right at the cistern.
  13. 12 : km 13.08 - alt. 567 m - Leave the track leading to Puits Arnaud on your left.
  14. 13 : km 13.29 - alt. 573 m - Path leading to the Puits de Guérin
  15. S/E : km 14.33 - alt. 514 m - Parking in the village of Sainte-Baume

Notes

In spring, a few pools and springs remain during the ascent and descent.
There is a spring feeding a well in the hollow of the valley on the way back.

I do not recommend this walk in wet weather (risk of slipping on the rocky outcrops at the top of the trail).

Worth a visit

In good weather, there is a 360° view of the Sainte Baume ridge.
On the way back, you will see the Jas de Frédéric (an old restored sheepfold), now converted into a picnic area.
A cade oven (also restored).

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.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 59 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.9 / 5
Cricri83120
Cricri83120

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 23, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

It’s a shame the track is tarmac from the start to point 1. Make sure you wear sturdy shoes; it’s a steep climb and just as steep on the way down, so take care. Age: 87.

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godasse de plomb
godasse de plomb

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 11, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Hello, very beautiful hike with a beautiful view from the upper part where there are more people. The beginning of the descent requires a little more attention due to the risk of slipping, but then it's easier in the undergrowth.

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/adjedj
/adjedj

Hello, yes, we are passing through a fire station... its owner is an extremely friendly person. When he is there, just ask him for permission... he is also happy to explain how his fire station works

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User 7365552

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 27, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Très jolie parcours, bien indiqué. La vue est vraiment superbe une fois au sommet.
Par contre la fin du tracé nous a fait passer par une zone « poste à feux » qui est normalement une zone interdite d’accès.

/adjedj
/adjedj

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 30, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful hike.
Shortly before point 1, we left the yellow trail to take a slightly more challenging alternative route on the left (unmarked) that was more direct and steep... magnificent view upon arrival at the Col du Saint Pilon (we made a round trip to the cave in about 45 minutes without difficulty)....
Good soles are highly recommended... some sections are very rocky
I highly recommend it

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PERRIN ISABELLE
PERRIN ISABELLE

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

As mentioned above, there are some beautiful views from the ridge.
The descent is very rocky and steep:
make sure you have suitable footwear!

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Eric.Sab
Eric.Sab

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 30, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Unique panorama
Easy approach if you are fit.
Best done in good weather to enjoy the views.

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Philippe13
Philippe13

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 01, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike with a respectable climb
and a fairly rocky descent
Make sure you wear good shoes 😉
Some beautiful views all along the ridge
I recommend it

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bruken
bruken

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 05, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The hike took place in ideal weather conditions, with sunshine but no heat and a beautiful blue sky. The trail was not busy on the way up or down, except at St Pilon and the chapel.
However, to avoid a large part of the road on the way there and the tracks on the way back, we first parked at the last car park, St Pilon, about 750m to 800m from the start of the hike.
Furthermore, the yellow-marked return trail is not located at the marker (1001m) but at the level of and below the first pylons. It is marked by a cairn. I can confirm that it is very stony and very steep.
To avoid the main tracks and a large part of the return route, and after the detour to Jas Frédéric, at point 630 we took a wide track on the left which initially follows the high-voltage power line and then turns slightly to the right. This path passes near a large green cistern and runs alongside orchards until it joins the road below point 580 (signposted "piste du puits d'Arnaud"). Finally, return to the car park about 750/800m to the left.

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Ladilafee
Ladilafee

As it had been a rainy spring, the vegetation was still green and there were flowers everywhere: helichrysum, rockrose, rosemary and thyme – a real aromatic journey.
The climb is not particularly difficult. The descent may be more problematic in some places (rolling stones).

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Ladilafee
Ladilafee

A beautiful hike, not very busy at this time of year.
We didn't see anyone else during the entire climb. However, when we reached the chapel at the top, there were lots of people.
The descent is more challenging, with lots of rocks, slippery surfaces and loose stones.
We followed the route to the letter without any difficulty. We saw the well, Jonas's house, etc.
The estimated time is pretty accurate.
I highly recommend it!

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Piotre
Piotre

Great tour, I loved it, beautiful view, a must-do.

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eric83
eric83

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 05, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Hike completed on 04/02/2024
Beautiful weather, bright sunshine, no Mistral wind...
Very beautiful route with magnificent views as soon as you reach the ridge (after Point 3): Mercantour, Ecrins, etc.
Unfortunately, we were unable to descend via "the green trail" (very easy to find) as it was closed for several months from 01/02 for seasonal protection of animal species (birds, lizards, butterflies, etc.). The sign is very clear (€135 fine per person!) and the trail is (symbolically) blocked with stones.

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Rando Leo
Rando Leo

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 29, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful, fairly long but very varied hike (Col du St Pilon, Sainte Baume ridges, descent to Jas Frédéric, etc.). Please note that if the group of hikers has at least two cars, it is possible to leave one car in the car park at the bistro on the left as you leave Riboux and park further away in the St Pilon car park to start the hike (saving you a 2.5 km walk along a small tarmac road).

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tjeus
tjeus

Thank you for your excellent review, and I am delighted to have been able to introduce you to such an enjoyable experience.

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