The Opies Tower

The Tour des Opies is the highest point in the Alpilles mountain range, rising to 498 m and offering a 360° panoramic view of the Durance plain, the Rhône, the Comtat Venaissin, the Camargue plain and the Crau plain as far as the Étang de Berre. The route, located in the Alpilles Natural Park, begins in the wooded valley of Les Glauges. It leads to the ruins of a Gallo-Roman villa. On the way back, a visit to the charming village of Aureille is a must.

Technical sheet

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 13.63 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 419 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 417 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 493 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 106 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park at the Roches Rouges car park on the D17.

(S/E) Go through the gate at the end of the car park and take the path that climbs slightly to the right.

(1) You will arrive at the ruined Romanière sheepfold. Take theGR®6on the right for about 600 metres, then turn onto the path on the left that climbs slightly. At the crossroads, continue straight ahead.

(2) Turn left and continue north-east until you reach a road.

(3) You will come to a small road which you take on the left near the Glauges estate. Follow the Chemin des Glauges which joins the Chemin Saint-Pierre. Turn left until you come to a fork marked by a large tree.

(4) Turn left, then right 150 metres further on. Go back and forth to visit the remains of an ancient Gallo-Roman villa.

(5) Return to the path. Go through a gate. Walk along a cypress hedge.

(6) Take the path that climbs slightly to the left. Continue along the main path through the heath.

(7) It leads to a path that you take to the left. It quickly rises to a ledge under the cliffs.
You pass over a small pass to arrive at the starting point (large rock) near the climb to the top of the tower.

(8) Take the path on the left. After a left turn, the path climbs steeply through boxwood trees clinging to the rock. Look for the best way to climb, sometimes using your hands, and cross the rocky paved slanting streets. The last few metres below the tower are the most difficult. At the top, there is a 360° panoramic view.

(9) Descend to the pass via the same route.

(8) Turn left to descend gently, winding your way down the valley. Continue straight ahead, leaving the path that branches off to the right. Continue straight ahead on the Chemin des Tardières.

(10) You will arrive at the junction with theGR®6, where you turn left to reach La Romanière.

(1) Turn right to reach the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 106 m - Roches Rouges car park
  2. 1 : km 0.34 - alt. 126 m - La Romanière
  3. 2 : km 1.72 - alt. 157 m - Path on the left towards the north-east
  4. 3 : km 2.26 - alt. 138 m - Les Glauges
  5. 4 : km 3.16 - alt. 151 m - Villa Romaine crossroads
  6. 5 : km 3.63 - alt. 147 m - Gallo-Roman villa
  7. 6 : km 3.89 - alt. 153 m - Entrance to the heath
  8. 7 : km 5.14 - alt. 220 m - crossroads at Chemin du Mas de Gras
  9. 8 : km 6.11 - alt. 344 m - Pass, round trip to the tower
  10. 9 : km 6.78 - alt. 493 m - Watchtower
  11. 10 : km 10.44 - alt. 151 m - Junction with the GR
  12. S/E : km 13.63 - alt. 106 m - Roches Rouges car park

Practical information

Hiking boots recommended.
Steep sections near the tower.
Shelter available in the watchtower.
Drinking fountain on the wall of the Aureille cemetery.
Avoid periods of very hot weather.
Avoid days with strong winds.

Alternative route: (10) You can turn right to visit the village of Aureille.
Allow about 500m there and back.

In the nearby area

Sights to see:
the Romagnière sheepfold.
The ruins of the Gallo-Roman villa.
The 360° view from the top of the watchtower.
The charming Provençal village of Aureille.

 Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 42 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.4 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.4 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
User 4334095

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 06, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Excellent hike!

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mesokanto
mesokanto

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 27, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Very beautiful 360° view from the tower. On a day with a mistral wind, it's just a bit uncomfortable at the tower.

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jackie sauvage
jackie sauvage

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Dec 01, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Beautiful loop, perfect GPX track for this hike. The traces of a former fire have almost disappeared.

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Jean-Bernard
Jean-Bernard

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 16, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Busy trail : No

Nice views, but the section from the tower to the finish is very monotonous, with long, wide, uninteresting white paths

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helenet44
helenet44

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 22, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Personally, I think it would be better to start this hike in the village of Aureille and head to the sheepfold as indicated in the description.

There are no difficulties in reaching the summit, and all you need to do is follow the blue trail, which is very well marked.

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KROL13
KROL13

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 02, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

A little more monotonous in the second part, but otherwise a pleasant hike that gets a little strenuous at the end of the climb, so don't go with people who are unfit or poorly equipped.
I imagine it must be very hot in the middle of summer.
Otherwise, I recommend it!

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jeani84
jeani84

Very beautiful hike. Not recommended when it's hot

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pinol rubi
pinol rubi

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Feb 05, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

superb hike, we did it in the opposite direction.

Beautiful view from the summit of Les Opies. Unfortunately, you can still see the scars left by the fire in August 2022. Overall, a very beautiful hike, challenging at the end of the climb but nothing too difficult.

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bm.mar13
bm.mar13

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Jan 02, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

Nice hike, beautiful view at the top.
The last 500 metres were quite challenging
Got caught in a thunderstorm at the start of the hike, which wasn't very pleasant!

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Randoplaisir
Randoplaisir

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of walk : Dec 17, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Hike completed under bright autumn sunshine. Some difficulty following a poorly marked trail. Rewarded with superb views. We decided to shorten the return journey by taking a steep path that joins the GR, but this is not recommended for people who find mountain walking difficult.

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randorhonecamargue
randorhonecamargue

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 26, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Hike completed on 19 October, a few walkers, grey weather but no rain. We made a return trip from Aureille to the summit of Les Opies, a gentle climb to the pass and then the rest a little more difficult, especially the last 100 metres, but a magnificent view at the top. The hikers (yes, seven women!) were delighted to reach the summit.

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yves.signon
yves.signon

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Mar 05, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

This route is very easy, except for the return trip to climb the Opies tower. The climb, and especially the descent, could be difficult for people with joint problems or other issues. In this case, simply turn back and you're done.
The view from the summit is spectacular: Fos in the distance...
The descent through the burnt area is worth a look.
There are many hikers of all levels at the weekend.
Best avoided in summer when it's really hot...

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chicharito90
chicharito90

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Nov 13, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Great hike in the Alpilles. It takes just 40 minutes to climb to the summit, but otherwise the hike is accessible to everyone . With beautiful views!

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Princesse1845
Princesse1845

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 22, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Great hike to do in the area.
As usual, I walk much faster than the estimated time.

Note for the climb/descent at the Tour des Opies: trail/hiking shoes are highly recommended! The path is steep on the way up and tricky on the way down. Especially as the path is not very clear between the vegetation and the rocks!
On the other hand, the view from the top is magnificent!

The last 3 km are not very interesting, especially the long straight stretch on the GR.

Other than that, it's an excellent hike!

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kris.teyran
kris.teyran

Good evening, Djanet
I must not have been clear either. The route I suggested, which you did not follow, places the last climb (over stones and rocks) in the middle of the route, with a gentle approach, about two hours after setting off from the Romanière car park, which is far from the end of the route.
I should also inform you that the Visorando route descriptions differ from those of the FFRP (yellow lines for PRs) and are not necessarily signposted. This is the case for part of this route. In addition to the description, you will therefore need to take the route on the IGN map and the GPS coordinates with you.
Nevertheless, I hope you enjoyed the wild landscapes of our Provençal heathland and that you will be less harsh in your assessments next time.
Happy hiking!

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