La Tour des Opies without climbing and via the shortest route

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Hike to the Tour des Opies, the highest point of the Alpilles at 498 m, a round trip, taking the shortest route via the gentle path—the only one where you won’t need to use your hands. This walk offers a 360° panorama and a breathtaking view. On the way down, you can make a round trip to the Croix des Opies, situated in another valley, directly opposite the Tower, which offers a different panorama.

Details

n°67872908
Creation:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.50 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 357 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 357 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 492 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 150 m
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Photos

The Opiès Tower seen from the Cross
View from the cross
Below the tower, take the path on the right
View from the Croix des Opies

Description of the walk

Just on leaving Eguières towards Aureille (D17), turn right onto the Chemin de Saint-Pierre-de-Vence, passing through vineyards and then a winery. Further on, at the junction, take the path on the left and reach a car park on the right by a cistern. Park near marker CIT 528.

(S/E) Follow the blue-marked trail opposite the car park.

(1) Leave the blue markings and turn right: red dot on a stone; from this point onwards, there are no further markings. Pass the entrance to the Roman villa ruins on your right and continue to the next junction.

(2) Go straight on until you reach a three-way junction.

(3) Turn left and start the climb. You will reach a crossroads.

(4) Turn right to reach the Opies Watchtower.

(5) Head back down to the junction.

(4) Head straight ahead to reach the Opies cross (stunning views).

(6) Head back down to the previous junction.

(4) Turn right and follow the ascent route in the opposite direction to return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 150 m - Car park
  2. 1 : km 0.2 - alt. 152 m - Blue route abandoned
  3. 2 : km 0.42 - alt. 153 m - Junction
  4. 3 : km 1.22 - alt. 187 m - Junction
  5. 4 : km 2.31 - alt. 445 m - Path junction. Return to the tower and the cross
  6. 5 : km 2.49 - alt. 492 m - Tour de Opies
  7. 6 : km 2.93 - alt. 475 m - Croix des Opies
  8. S/E : km 5.49 - alt. 150 m - Car park

Notes

If possible, park after the winery, as the path beyond is in increasingly poor condition.

Worth a visit

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 5 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.4 / 5
Route interest
4.4 / 5
LIONEL13118
LIONEL13118

Sir, there are plenty of access points at the base of the tower on both sides. However, I can guarantee 100 per cent that if you follow the route described in my guide, you won’t need to use your hands – and that’s actually what enabled my wife to make the climb on numerous occasions.
Kind regards,

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Bientzat
Bientzat

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 20, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Reaching the Tour des Opiès and its unobstructed views is well worth the effort of the final climb. Getting to the tower from point 4 requires using your hands on the ascent and caution on the descent; however, the route to the Cross is straightforward. The walk was completed on 20 April in clear weather. The Alpilles are stunning.

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User 10000327

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 03, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A rocky corridor, sometimes sheltered by trees: a steady climb, a little strenuous and, as described in the itinerary, sometimes a little challenging.
A truly exceptional viewpoint offering almost 360° views of the Alpilles, the Camargue, the Crau, the Durance valley, the Luberon and, beyond, Sainte Victoire. Impressive. Allow time to enjoy the view from up there.

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donm
donm
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike completed on 18 October 2025, in glorious weather.
We didn't find the access to the car park too difficult (and we have a fairly low city car): you just have to adjust your speed...
The hike is magnificent and the view from the two peaks is spectacular. We didn't find this route too demanding: a 400-metre climb is within everyone's reach: you just have to go at your own pace.

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Cathy13
Cathy13

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 22, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Not a very long hike, but the climb is quite strenuous.
At the summit, a beautiful 360° panorama.
A great way to explore the Alpilles.

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volpini.marinette
volpini.marinette

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 24, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A nice walk, but it
It climbs a lot and quickly – basically, it’s a 2.9km climb!
Not
Easy walk!

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