Lac du Bimont and Lac Zola

A wonderful outdoor excursion, perfect for a family day out and accessible to all fitness levels. In the heart of nature, this hike offers a peaceful getaway, where enchanting landscapes and easy trails allow you to recharge your batteries with ease.

Details

48355678
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.40 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 25 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 253 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 261 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 373 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 215 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Departure from the Bimont Dam, 20 minutes from Aix-en-Provence. Free, shaded car park.

(S/E) Head towards the Bimont Dam and go through a gate, leaving the tourist information office on your left. After 300 metres of gentle descent, cross the dam.

(1) Continue along the main track until you reach a fork.

(2) Keep to the right at the next junction and you will reach a viewpoint.

(3) Continue along the track, pass an underground fire water reservoir on your right and you will arrive at a three-way junction.

(4) Continue to the right and, after about 100 metres, turn right at a right angle. Descend along the track, pass a left-hand bend and you will reach a three-way junction.

(5) Take the track on the right and at the next three-way junction, take the left branch and follow the ridge until you reach another three-way junction.

(6) Ignore the left turn and stay on the same track until you reach a sharp left turn and a viewpoint over Lake Zola on the right.

(7) Continue along the track and you will reach the Lake Zola Dam.

(8) Cross the dam and continue along the track until you reach a three-way junction.

(9) Turn right and continue climbing. Once you reach the plateau, continue straight ahead until you reach a cross-track.

(10) First turn right then left and stay on the widest track.

(11) At the three-way junction, near an underground firefighting water reservoir, continue to the right and follow the track to the Barrage du Bimont car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 357 m - Car park - Lac du Bimont
  2. 1 : km 0.44 - alt. 326 m - Barrage du Bimont
  3. 2 : km 0.91 - alt. 370 m - Fork in the road
  4. 3 : km 1.2 - alt. 368 m - Viewpoint - Réserve Nature de Sainte-Croix
  5. 4 : km 1.88 - alt. 362 m - Three-way junction
  6. 5 : km 2.36 - alt. 312 m - Three-way junction
  7. 6 : km 3.21 - alt. 296 m - Three-way junction
  8. 7 : km 3.65 - alt. 286 m - Viewpoint - Barrage Zola
  9. 8 : km 3.95 - alt. 231 m - Dam - Cause (rivière)
  10. 9 : km 4.89 - alt. 288 m - Three-way junction
  11. 10 : km 5.66 - alt. 341 m - Cross-country trail
  12. 11 : km 6.62 - alt. 336 m - Three-way junction, firefighting water reservoir
  13. S/E : km 9.4 - alt. 357 m - Car park - Barrage du Bimont

Notes

Picnic tables are available at the Barrage du Bimont and Lac Zola car parks.
Dogs are welcome, but remember to bring water for them.
Viewpoint over the Saint-Victoire nature reserve.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 16 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.9 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.4 / 5
helcodu06
helcodu06

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 27, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely, easy walk. The climb after the Zola dam can be a bit long, but it’s easily manageable.
There is only one water point at the start of the walk

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User 21107053

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 19, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very pleasant walk. No difficulty.

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Sophie 04
Sophie 04

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 19, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely, easy little walk that takes you past two lakes. No difficulty

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phildaix
phildaix

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 25, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The whole area is stunning, with spectacular scenery, particularly around Sainte-Victoire. An easy hike with no trouble finding your way.

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V-P
V-P

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 09, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Beautiful views of the two dams
No particular difficulties, but note that after the Zola dam, the climb back up to Bimont can seem long.

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cecile04200
cecile04200

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 22, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

beautiful route

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Lopezvanessa
Lopezvanessa

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 07, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Superb hike, peaceful. Worth doing again, beautiful views all along the way.

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saint victor
saint victor

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 16, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful route with no difficulties and stunning views. Only the climb from Lake Zola is a bit long, but it is steady and follows some beautiful passages along the ridge. Thank you for this wonderful hike.

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User 27250121

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 15, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Nice hiking trail, beautiful view of Sainte Victoire, the Bimont dam and the Zola dam.
The path is fairly obvious, you can't go wrong, and there's hardly anyone else around.
The car park at the start is large and free
Be careful though, as the trail is almost entirely in the sun, so make sure you bring plenty of water and avoid the hottest part of the day.
Also check that the mountain is open, as it closes during the summer when there is a high risk of fire (see the prefecture website)

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daniel06100
daniel06100

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 29, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Easy and pleasant hike

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User 25879775

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 24, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very beautiful hike with stunning scenery
But be careful in summer as there isn't much shade on the paths...
Otherwise, it was perfect. I recommend it.

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symy
symy

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : May 15, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely, easy walk. Beautiful views of Sainte-Victoire.
Not recommended in summer, as there is not much shade.

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Hersey
Hersey
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 11, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk among pine trees with beautiful views

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Morty's Mome
Morty's Mome

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 06, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very good directions for a good hike. It was well marked. The route was easy – fine for families and/or dogs. Pleasant day.

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GdeG
GdeG
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 13, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

We took this route in the "opposite direction" and went down the path on the left 2 km from the start. This marked path, which is a shortcut, is not suitable for mountain bikes, unlike the rest of the route, I think.
I say this because I found the wide track in the southern section rather boring.
Of course, the views of the lakes, dams and Sainte Victoire in the distance are very beautiful.
Thank you for this GPX track.

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