Sainte-Victoire via the Col de Vauvenargues

A circular route on the southern slope of Sainte-Victoire, passing through the Col de Vauvenargues and the Col de Saint-Ser, then descending to the Ermitage Saint-Ser and the Refuge Baudino.
The Saint-Ser black trail is closed from 1 February to 15 July 2023 (between 4 and 5). See practical information.

Details

111168
Creation:
Last update:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 12.49 km
  • ◔
    Duration according to the author: 6 hrs 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Very difficult

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,054 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,050 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 969 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 462 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Start from an unnamed car park on the left side of the road, about one kilometre after the Sainte-Victoire house in Saint-Antonin-sur-Bayon. This car park is located 50 metres after the Marbrière car park and 400 metres before the Coquille car park.

(S/E) From the car park, facing Sainte-Victoire, take the path that branches off to the left and heads north-east towards the cliff (no markings). After 600 metres, you will come to a path (not marked on the map). Continue straight ahead and pass a few carved stone blocks to reach a crossroads.

(1) Follow the brown markings coming from the left and continue straight up. After a few metres heading north, the path turns left (west) and then right towards La Marbrière. Just before this, a cairn invites you to turn left to go around it from above. Once you reach a flat area, the path continues, then crosses a small north-facing rocky outcrop (Pas du Clapier) and ends at a large cairn on a flat section.
Leave the green-marked path on the left, which climbs steeply towards the rock face, and continue straight ahead on the brown-marked path. After a series of ascents, descents and flat sections at the foot of the cliff, leave the path marked by a cairn on the right.

(2) Continue to the left; the path climbs northwards then veers north-east to reach the Barthélémy Baudino Refuge.

(3) Go around it on the right and follow the markings, which cross a rocky area and then begin a descent along a stony path that is not very comfortable.

(4) When you reach a junction marked by a cairn, near a small rocky outcrop (view below towards the Genty farm), leave the path on the right and continue left for about 100m.
Take the small path marked in black on the left, which climbs towards the rock face. The path often crosses scree and a few rocky sections. Pay close attention to the markings, which can be difficult to find at times. After a final rocky section, the markings lead to the ridges and join theGR®9.

(5) Continue to the right on the red and white markings ofthe GR®9. At times, it is possible to leave the trail to get closer to the cliff and enjoy the view, caution. A short descent equipped with a chain allows you to cross a small rocky outcrop, then the trail continues to a small pass marked by a cairn. The trail turns right onto the southern slope and joins a crossroads.

(6) Leave theGR® trail on your left, which climbs up the ridges towards Pic des Mouches, and take a path that descends to the right, marked with red dots. Further down, a rock marks the junction with the red trail coming from the right; continue downhill on the common red trail. A passage equipped with chains allows you to climb down a final rocky outcrop and then descend towards the chapel of the Hermitage of Saint-Ser.

(7) Pass under the porch and reach a viewpoint below the site. Turn right until you reach the next crossroads 30 metres further on.

(8) Continue right on the brown trail towards the Refuge Baudino. Continue on this almost flat path for about 600 metres, then leave the black trail on your right. Continue for 100 metres until you reach a crossroads with a cairn.

(4) Leave the brown markings on your right and continue straight ahead on the slightly descending unmarked path. At the next crossroads, leave the path on the left and turn right to climb up towards the Pas de la Torque (not marked on the map). About a hundred metres higher up, leave a small path on the right that is not very visible and not marked on the map, and continue climbing to the left.

(9) When you reach a viewpoint marked by a large cairn, turn right (north) onto the fairly steep path that leads to the foot of a rocky outcrop. Try to follow the trail, which is not always clearly visible among the rocks. Further up, it turns left and leads to the Barthélémy Baudino Refuge.

(3) Find the brown marked trail that leaves from the left of the refuge and turns left 400 metres further down to reach a crossroads marked by a large cairn.

(2) Leave the brown markings on your right and take the unmarked path on the left that descends into the heath. After a wide left turn, this path continues and then descends more steeply to reach a crossroads.

(10) Turn right onto a path that heads due north and then veers left. A good kilometre further on, at a small 90° bend, leave the path on the right (not marked on the map).

(11) Continue left on the path through the pine trees, which continues with a track coming from the left and ends at the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 465 m - Car park on the edge of the D17
  2. 1 : km 0.81 - alt. 558 m - Continue straight ahead following the brown markings.
  3. 2 : km 3.01 - alt. 708 m - At the cairn on the left
  4. 3 : km 3.52 - alt. 793 m - Refuge Barthélémy Baudino
  5. 4 : km 4.51 - alt. 585 m - Turn left at the cairn.
  6. 5 : km 5.27 - alt. 918 m - Turn right onto the GR9
  7. 6 : km 6.47 - alt. 937 m - Turn right at the red markings.
  8. 7 : km 7.05 - alt. 631 m - Ermitage Saint-Ser
  9. 8 : km 7.15 - alt. 613 m - Turn right at the brown markings.
  10. 9 : km 8.89 - alt. 736 m - Turn right at the viewpoint.
  11. 10 : km 10.39 - alt. 590 m - To the right, heading due north
  12. 11 : km 11.6 - alt. 501 m - Turn left onto the path.
  13. S/E : km 12.49 - alt. 465 m - Car park on the edge of the D17

Notes

Temporary closure of the Sainte-Ser black trail:
https://www.grandsitesaintevictoire.com/...

The route deviates from the map before La Marbrière and after (4) but corresponds well to the markings on the ground.

(This route is reserved for experienced hikers who are not afraid to tackle technical sections at times. For safety reasons, children must be secured with a rope.)

Worth a visit

Chapel of the Hermitage of Saint-Ser:
(7) It is located on the southern slope of Sainte-Victoire Mountain, almost halfway up. Built as an extension of a cave, it perpetuates the memory of the hermit who came to seek refuge here in the 5th century.

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

4.2 / 5
Based on 9 reviews

Reliability of the description
3.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.1 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
didier3158
didier3158

We gave up because of strong winds.

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fanch140
fanch140

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 30, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Good description, clear and easy to follow

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pascal lanxionnat
pascal lanxionnat

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 14, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

The description is not clear enough; it would be better to note the colours of the markings at intersections.
Here, follow the brown markings to point 4. PLEASE NOTE: on 14 February, this trail (black markings) was closed to protect wildlife. Fine of €135.
Difficult hike, scree, steep descents on rocks, rocky passages requiring the use of hands.
More southern exposure: already very hot in February.
Do not attempt this hike in wet or rainy weather, as the rocks are slippery.

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rtln83
rtln83

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 02, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A beautiful and athletic outing on the Sainte-Victoire mountain range... I drew inspiration from the downloaded and adapted hikes, and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Thank you.

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slinky
slinky ★

Good evening, dbkblk,

Thank you for your comment.
I understand your thoughts on the characteristics of the route, but these are only calculations performed automatically by the software, over which the author has no control.

Admittedly, there is a difference between your readings and those given in the data sheet, but perhaps Visorando underestimates slightly and your GPS or app overestimates, which causes this difference.

So it's not really the quality of the description that you found disappointing, since you say you didn't take it into account.

I understand that you had a great time, and as the author, that's what matters most.

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dbkblk
dbkblk
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 11, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

This hike is truly exceptional! It was our first time doing a very difficult hike and... it was very difficult! The setting and the challenges we encountered were a lot of fun (especially the chain in the void on the descent). By the way, walking sticks are highly recommended and not recommended for children.

However, the description of this hike, more specifically the characteristics, are completely underestimated. Following the indicated route (I never read the descriptions because I use my sense of direction and GPX tracks), the characteristics are as follows:

- Duration: 8 hours (6 hours and 40 minutes of actual walking). We are average hikers, hiking ~10 to 15 hours per month.
- Distance: approx. 15km
- Elevation gain: approx. 1,250 m

Thank you for suggesting this hike.

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jardin tania
jardin tania

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 05, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Superb athletic hike with magnificent panoramic views.
Took the green trail at Pas du Clapier because the black trail was closed during nesting season. Would do it again outside of nesting season...

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Péripatéticien1
Péripatéticien1

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 22, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

I don't necessarily do all the hikes that I download. And I don't always do them straight away, and sometimes I modify them to suit my needs at the time. That's why I don't always give you my opinion. In any case, I can tell you that the information you provide is always accurate and gives a perfect idea of the hike.
With my thanks.

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slinky
slinky ★

Hello everyone,

The Black trail between (4) and (5) is temporarily closed during the eagle nesting period. A fine of €135 will be imposed on anyone found on the trail.

An alternative route is available by following the green trail after (1) at Pas du Clapier.

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slinky
slinky ★

Hello gemike,

Thank you for your comment.
I have to take a group on this route next week, so I'll find out how long this section will be closed.

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gemike
gemike

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 25, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Please note that the black trail at Col de Vauvenargues has been closed for the past fortnight to protect wildlife (presumably nesting).

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val2410
val2410

Overall rating : 2.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 30, 2015
Reliability of the description : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

We got completely lost on this hike! It took us 10 hours instead of 6, not counting the paths we tried that led to the side of a cliff and were really dangerous because of that...

The problem lies in the description. To reach the pass, it says: "When you reach a crossroads... (view below towards the Genty farm), leave the path on the right and continue on the left for about 100 metres." This crossroads seems to be just after the rocky chaos and the stony path... After this crossroads, it's not 100m but 1000m! Hence our numerous attempts here and there, all as fruitless as they were dangerous... We ended up retracing our steps and following the same brown-marked trail, following another group of hikers.

We finally took the black-marked path 1000 metres further on, but realised that we were doing the circular loop backwards, as the difference in distance was so huge compared to the description. So when we reached the top, we turned left to complete the circular loop backwards, but we should have turned right because we were going in the right direction... So we tried to descend via a very dangerous path, where we had to turn back again. We decided not to take any more risks and to follow the GR to the Croix de Provence and find the paths downhill there... We also needed water at the priory because our supplies were empty (there is a reservoir of non-potable water, but many hikers obviously use it to refill their bottles).

Finding the start is not easy, we were just lucky. The car park is clear. But from there there are three paths, one on the left, one in the middle and one on the right. You have to take the one in the middle.

Luckily, we had our mobile phones for Google Maps (and to let people know we'd be late!), a Garmin, an IGN map... Just goes to show how much worse it could have been. We've been hiking for years and this kind of thing has never happened to us before...

Apart from that, the hike is magnificent. It's a real shame that it lacks precision. And is therefore a source of danger for hikers.

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slinky
slinky ★

Hello coursapied,

The search engine is quite sensitive to spelling.
I checked, and you need to search for Sainte Baume (without a hyphen) and Sainte-Baume (with a hyphen) to find all the hikes in the area.
But don't put an E after the B, otherwise you won't find anything.

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coursapied
coursapied

Thank you for your clarification.
Last weekend, we went on three hikes: two on Sainte Victoire and one on the Sainte Beaume massif, which I found on the Visorando website. I don't know what's going on, but I can't find the Sainte Beaume hikes despite all the entries I've tried on Visorando. How can I retrieve them?
Thank you.

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slinky
slinky ★
• Edited:

Good evening,

There is indeed a second trail, Le Forcioli, which climbs almost vertically from Cézanne's cabin to the Croix de Provence. It is the most difficult trail in the massif, and it is strongly recommended that you bring a rope to get through certain sections classified as grade 4.
Here is a link to the website of the Association des Amis de la Sainte-Victoire, where the routes are listed.
http://www.amisdesaintevictoire.asso.fr/

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