The Tête du Grand Puech and Pilon du Roi circular loop

For moderators: modification of the route and description from WP16 following feedback from hikers on private property.

Park your vehicle in the small square in front of the post office at the top of the village of Mimet.

^GRP® Red and Yellow +^PR® Yellow markings

(S/E) Facing the post office, take the small road on the left and pass in front of the cemetery. Pass a road on the left, then another on the right, and continue up the steep hill to a turning area.

Red markings

(1) Leave the^GRP® and^{PR® trails}, which invite you to continue straight ahead, and take a well-marked path that branches off to the right and climbs through the woods. On the right, the view opens up onto the village of Mimet, the Gardanne basin and Sainte-Victoire in the distance. Cross the wide track that leads to the Tête du Grand Puech for the first time, then rejoin it shortly afterwards.

No markings

Cross over and continue straight ahead on a steeply ascending path. When you reach the same track for the third time, turn left and continue to the lookout built at the summit.

Blue markings

(2) Pass the lookout tower and head towards the telecommunications pylons on the ridge. The path heads south then turns east, winding between pine trees and small shrubs, and ends at an intersection marked by a cairn.

Blue + Red Markings

(3) You will find the red markings coming from the right. Continue straight ahead, now following the double markings and ignoring the trailheads on the left that lead to different viewpoints. After a short rocky passage where you will need to use your hands, you will arrive at a fork.

Blue markings

(4) Leave the red markings, which branch off to the left downhill, and continue slightly to the right. The path makes a wide curve to the left, close to the ridge (be careful as access to the ridge is easy and dangerous). With Col Sainte-Anne in sight, the descent is very difficult as you have to walk over small rocks and very unstable scree. Be sure to stay close to the ridge on the right and ignore several tracks that invite you to turn left and lead to the bottom of the small valley, causing you to lose altitude. Aim for the large pylon opposite, at the foot of which you must pass to finally find a wide, much easier path that quickly leads to Col Sainte-Anne, preceded by a small oratory on the right.

(5) Take the wide horizontal track opposite. At the start of a small tarmac road on a small open space with a cistern on your right, continue straight ahead. The road quickly gives way to a well-maintained track that winds lazily.

(6) Shortly after a small concrete building, leave this track and take a small path on the left. Be careful, as the start of the path is not very visible. The slope becomes very steep and you will need to use your hands before reaching a narrow passage between two rocks. After about 20 metres, turn right onto a well-marked path that heads west towards the Pilon du Roi, which now dominates the scene.

(7) At the fork, leave the path that descends to the left and continue straight ahead. At the foot of Pilon du Roi, turn right at a small, barely marked fork, walk along the base of the rock and arrive at a crossroads marked by a large boulder with a double inscription painted in green.

(8) Turn left and follow the sign for La Fève. Shortly afterwards, at the fork where an old red marker invites you to turn left, go straight ahead, then leave the path on your right that leads to a large electricity pylon and continue straight ahead.

(9) At the small pass, marked by a signpost, turn right and follow the signs for "Circular Tour of Santons" and "l'Oasis". The path enters a small valley, passes through the lowest point and then climbs very steeply to reach a crossroads.

(10) Turn left downhill and continue to a plastic water tank on the left of the path.

The Green Markings are very old and almost completely faded.

(11) A few metres further on, leave the track and take a path on the right that is faint at first but becomes clearer and is marked on the ground with very faded green circles. The climb is steep until you reach the wide track on the right.

No markings

(12) Where this track curves gently to the right (elevation 491), turn left onto a fairly well-marked path that leads between the pine trees. Turn left at the next fork and you will soon reach another intersection at a pine tree on your left marked with a fluorescent pink arrow.

(13) Don't miss this inconspicuous fork and turn right onto a narrow path to quickly reach another fork. Turn right onto a pleasant little path with unobstructed views that passes at the foot of the rock and follows the high-voltage power line.

(14) Once you reach the concrete slope leading up to the reservoirs, descend to the left for about a hundred metres. At the bend near an electricity pylon, turn right onto a well-maintained path on the left. Turn left at the first two junctions, then right twice, to reach a sports area with several tennis courts.

(15) Do not go down to the car park under the trees on the left, but go around it, passing close to a well and turning left at the next fork. You will soon reach a road. Turn right to reach a large open space under the pine trees (the map is incorrect at this point). Turn left (red DFCI sign), go through the barrier, then turn right onto a sunken path to reach a wide track that supports the GRP®.

Yellow and red GRP® markings

(16) Turn right. Keep right at the fork a few hundred metres further on and continue to a track junction (elevation 536). Turn left, rejoin the tarmac road and continue to the road junction marked by a wayside shrine.

(17) Keep right to follow the Route Notre-Dame des Anges, which leads peacefully back to the car park (S/E).

There is no water along the route. Please plan accordingly.

Good hiking boots that provide good ankle support are essential, as are walking poles. The route is very stony and the scree is unstable.

The "Difficult" rating may seem excessive, but in my opinion it is justified by the numerous sudden changes in altitude and the section before the Col Sainte-Anne.

The blue markings between points (4) and (11) are very uneven. They range from very present to almost absent. But when they are present, the path is obvious and there is no risk of getting lost.

I would like to draw your attention to the section before Col Sainte-Anne, which is difficult and where you may lose the trail. Be very vigilant at this point.

This hike is enjoyable in all seasons. There are many shaded areas, even on the ridge, which provide protection from the heat of the sun.