The Watchtower by the North Slope in Les Baux-de-Provence

A circuit on the north slope of the Alpilles on good tracks nice, overlooking cross-shaded valleys and ridges that offer views on all sides of the Alpilles. The view goes far beyond this. The tour starts with a track which “keeps its cards close to its chest”. Apart from the return by the GR 6, you will meet few if any other people on this route that is far off the beaten track.

Details

190590
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.04 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 55 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 211 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 210 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 286 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 129 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Access

From Les Baux-de-Provence, take the D27 towards Maillane. At the pass, shortly after the road cuts between the rocks and just before heading back down, turn right onto the paved road that goes up to the viewpoint. Car park right in front of this rise before the first turn.

GR markings - White and Red

Opposite the track, turn right, pass close to a remarkable rock, pierced by erosion. A hundred metres away, be very careful: the foot of a hill, on the left starts, a hidden track by a pine leaning.

No markings

(1) Pass the fence and take the track that starts out as a ledge and follows the contours of the hill. It descends gradually. At an intersection, turn left onto the trail that leads down perpendicular to another track. You discover an open space dominated by a large pine tree.

(2) Turn to the left. Pass alongside a water tank (No. 51) and turn right. Soon after, leave this track which joins the D27 road and turn right between the bushes. At the next junction turn right again. The track takes hairpin bends to climb up the ledges. Ignore a track that heads down to the left (this is actually the trail from earlier left before the hairpin and which joins back up with it). Continue straight ahead to the next intersection.

(3) Turn left and keep to the track that descends into a sharp turn. Ignore the one which, in a turn, goes down to the right. The trail rises gradually and then becomes increasingly steep in a hairpin bend. It opens onto a ridge with views over Mont Ventoux. In passing, note the small "structures" of stones (4) erected by children from a day camp. The trail descends to a water tank and another track coming from the right.

(5) Continue straight ahead and ignore the path that starts on the left. Join the main trail used by the GR 6 at the foot of the hill where the watchtower is.

GR markings - White and Red

(6) Turn right and follow the main trail that takes you to the car park. Ignore all tracks left and right. Pass near a water tank (7), cross a fence to find the paved road. Here you can follow the paved trail to the car park or up to the right (8) right to the viewpoint (or what remains of it) for a 360° panoramic view. This is the option I chose for my hike. You will find the trail back down to your left facing Baux (you can also go to the right, but it is a little “steep"). You complete your circuit by the "hidden" trail (1) and come to the car park.

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 242 m - Parking facing uphill
  2. 1 : km 0.15 - alt. 257 m - Go through the barrier and take the track
  3. 2 : km 1.88 - alt. 151 m - Turn left
  4. 3 : km 3.46 - alt. 208 m - Turn left
  5. 4 : km 4.18 - alt. 240 m - Small stone structures
  6. 5 : km 4.67 - alt. 231 m - Go straight on
  7. 6 : km 5.38 - alt. 281 m - Turn right onto the GR 6
  8. 7 : km 7.12 - alt. 273 m - Tanker
  9. 8 : km 7.59 - alt. 272 m - Junction to the Orientation Table
  10. S/E : km 8.04 - alt. 242 m - Parking facing uphill

Worth a visit

Option to climb to the watchtower for a 360° view, but it will add altitude.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 55 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
Flanker
Flanker

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 04, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hiking on a beautiful sunny Saturday in November, the first 3 km are used to warm up , then we climb gently with beautiful views. Don't hesitate to climb up to the tower for a 360° view. Very reasonable number of visitors. Thank you.

Machine-translated

Boog
Boog

A very beautiful hike with stunning views. Since this spring, the car park at Rocher à Trous has been closed to traffic and is therefore off-limits to all cars. You have to park further down, which is possible because Les Baux is quite busy.
This hike is best done in good weather to enjoy the views. Not very busy. I love this route

Machine-translated

Boog
Boog

A very beautiful hike with stunning views. Since this spring, the car park at Rocher à Trous has been closed to traffic and is therefore off-limits to all cars. You have to park further down, which is possible because Les Baux is quite busy.
This hike is best done in good weather to enjoy the views. Can be busy. I love this route

Machine-translated

michel VERRIERE
michel VERRIERE

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 20, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Lovely walk, as described. Thank you.

Machine-translated

Boog
Boog

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 25, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Nice easy walk on good paths with some very nice viewpoints over the Alpilles, not very busy. As described. Would recommend

Machine-translated

Devine
Devine
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 20, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very nice walk, well sheltered from the mistral.
Lovely 360-degree views. Worth doing again

Machine-translated

tizotx
tizotx

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 26, 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 walk with few people on the first part. Beautiful views. On the day of the hike, there was low fog and only the summits were visible, superb.

Machine-translated

nomisimon
nomisimon

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 18, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful walk on wide paths.

Machine-translated

Fabady
Fabady

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 28, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A great way to explore the area around Les Baux de Provence.
No difficulties other than the heat for those who find it hard to bear.
For us, it was the best, leaving at 9am.

Machine-translated

randojcv
randojcv

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 27, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Very nice, quiet ride, no problems. Deadlines and mileage respected, wide tracks or paths...everything has been said Thank you.

Machine-translated

LN C
LN C

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 06, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful walk with superb views of the Alpilles, Les Baux, Saint Rémy and the surrounding area along the way.
Avoid hot weather, as unobstructed views mean little shade. Otherwise, there are no difficulties on this route, which is ideal for families.

Machine-translated

epsilonbleu
epsilonbleu

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 29, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant walk with beautiful views to both north and south. The presentation of the route is entirely accurate. It is possible to shorten the loop at 2-3 junctions. The ascent to the watchtower is short and gives you a great 360° view!

Machine-translated

LIONEL13118
LIONEL13118

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 01, 2022
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 with us, we had a wonderful day thanks to you.
I know this region quite well, and I agree that your itinerary is brilliant, as it allows tourists to see all the highlights in half a day.

Machine-translated

vivico
vivico

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 31, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Magnificent views all along the route.
Easy, can be done with the family'.

Machine-translated

Philippe Audouin
Philippe Audouin

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 07, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pretty route with many views over the Vaucluse plain, the Ventoux, Nîmes, the Camargue, the Etang de Berre, the sea, etc.
It's a feast for the eyes.
The diversions to the foot of the watchtower is well worth it for an almost 360° view.

Machine-translated

Other walks in the area

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.