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.

Details

1024284
Creation:
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Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 13.63 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 419 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 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

Notes

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.

Worth a visit

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 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

4.4 / 5
Based on 45 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.4 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.4 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
User 28912706

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 06, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : No

Hike: Very well signposted. From point 8, past the watchtower, this route isn’t particularly interesting, as the return to the car is mainly along a rather monotonous forest track. Avoid this hike in hot weather, as there are no trees or shade.

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sucre
sucre

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 24, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

In a very pleasant setting, this route is perfect for a day of exercise... the difficult sections are located 700 metres before the summit, so it is best to be well equipped and not hesitate to use your hands. The return journey is not difficult.
We are a group of sixty-somethings who go hiking every week.
Avoid days with strong winds (above 50 km/h).
Very busy at weekends.

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Gilles Vernier
Gilles Vernier

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 31, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike that I deliberately modified by taking the path on the left after point 6 to reach the high point and the tower.
There are a few sections where it is best to use your hands.
Descent according to the planned route.
Done with winds forecast at an average of 20 km/h and gusts of 50 km/h. Hike not recommended in stronger winds as the route is partly along ridges.

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User 4334095

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 07, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Excellent hike!

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mesokanto
mesokanto

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 28, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : 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 your route : Dec 02, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : 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 your route : Oct 17, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : 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 your route : Sep 23, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : 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 your route : Jun 03, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : 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 your route : Feb 06, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : 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 your route : Jan 03, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : 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 your route : Dec 18, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : 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 your route : Oct 27, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : 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 your route : Mar 06, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : 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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