Mount Olympus and the Rock of Eleven O'Clock

Less frequented than its illustrious neighbour, Mont Aurélien, Mont Olympe offers no less than an exceptional 360° panorama of most of the region's iconic peaks, even as far as the Mercantour on a clear day. After a fairly long approach walk on a gentle, steady slope, the final steep climb is more suited to experienced and trained walkers. But what a reward!

Technical sheet

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 16.65 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 6h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 600 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 592 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 814 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 297 m

Photos

Description of the walk

In Trets, take the D6, which then becomes the D6B towards Pourcieux and Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume. About 600m after the wide path that leads to the Roquefeuille vineyard, leave the road for an open space on the right that can accommodate 7 to 8 vehicles. If you are coming from Pourcieux, the location will be on the left.

Blue signposting

(S/E) With your back to the road, follow the very wide path that passes under the railway line and then turns right immediately after. Cross the bridge over the Canal de Provence, ignore a turn-off on the left at a no motor vehicle sign and continue to a fork just after a metal barrier fixed in a vertical position.

(1) Leave the signposts temporarily and take a long straight path on the right, which serves as a shortcut. This path is blocked several times by uprooted pine trees (as of March 2018), which you will need to go around on the right. Join the wide track you left earlier and continue on the right until you reach a junction marked by a signpost.

No signposts

(2) Continue straight ahead until the next junction, where you should turn left at a 90° angle. Then climb gently uphill until you come to a wide stony track (yellow container opposite).

(3) Turn left and follow this track, which winds its way around several bends, following the contours of the land until you reach a large crossroads with an underground cistern. On the right, you can see the ruins of the Bergerie du Perdu in a pretty spot planted with sparse pine trees.

(4) Turn left, go along a short tarmac section and you will reach a wide pass planted with a few venerable pine trees, which offers a magnificent view of Sainte-Baume.

(5) Turn left, continue for about 500 metres, then leave the track and take a wide stony path that climbs up to the left with Mont Olympe in sight.

Blue markings on the ground, very old and very rare

After a relatively flat open area, the path rises steeply and the very steep slope requires you to take appropriate breaks. Higher up, the trail veers to the right and becomes more difficult to follow on the stony ground. At the foot of a small scree slope, pay close attention to spot the blue markings, which are very discreet and indicate that you should turn left. A few metres further on, you will come to a cairn with a more distinct blue mark on the ground.

The blue markings are more visible and more frequent

(6) Continue to the left, following the markings. Cross a few steep passages before reaching the summit, where you will find a large cairn made of stones and an unsightly block of cement.

(7) From the summit of Mont Olympe, the view is exceptional, taking in Sainte-Baume, Pic de Bertagne, Garlaban, Montagne Sainte-Victoire, Mont Ventoux and, on a clear day, the peaks of Mercantour.

No signposts have been spotted - rare cairns

Leave the summit heading east towards a small cairn that marks the start of a very discreet path for the first few metres. Follow this path, which alternates between ridge passages and fairly dense vegetation. Keep going in the same direction, ignoring a few discreet paths on the right, until you reach a fork marked by a large cairn.

Continue straight ahead to begin a short but steep climb. The slope levels out when you reach the Rocher de Onze Heures (imposing cairn). Less spectacular than its predecessor, this summit nevertheless offers a beautiful view of the Trets plain, Sainte-Victoire and, above all, the nearby Mont Aurélien.

(8) Continue along the path. After a short section of sharp limestone pavement, pay close attention so as not to lose the trail, which is very difficult to see on the stony ground, and make sure you keep heading east. A short descent leads to a wide track at a small pass.

(9) Turn left and descend to a wooden signpost. This section is with Sainte-Victoire in front of you, a magnificent backdrop that is difficult to take your eyes off.

Blue markings

(10) Leave the track and take a much narrower path on the left (the IGN map is incorrect here as the fork comes earlier). Begin a long descent, taking care of the stone slabs and pebbles that slip under your feet. Further down, a shortcut on the right allows you to avoid a short section where the path serves as a bed for a small stream.

(11) At a fork that does not appear on the IGN map (fluorescent orange arrow and letter P on a tree), temporarily leave the blue markings and turn right to rejoin them a little further on.

(2) Turn right. At the start of a right-hand bend (elevation 356), leave the track and follow the shortcut on the left that you took on the way there.

(1) Turn left, cross the bridge over the Canal de Provence and return to the start (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 297 m - Parking is available along the D6B
  2. 1 : km 1.21 - alt. 364 m - Metal barrier on the right
  3. 2 : km 2.26 - alt. 348 m - Crossroads of the loop
  4. 3 : km 3.37 - alt. 389 m - Track junction, on the left
  5. 4 : km 7.18 - alt. 542 m - Crossroads, on the left
  6. 5 : km 7.7 - alt. 584 m - Pass, on the left
  7. 6 : km 8.72 - alt. 780 m - Cairn, on the left
  8. 7 : km 8.82 - alt. 814 m - Mount Olympus
  9. 8 : km 10.53 - alt. 744 m - Eleven O'Clock Rock
  10. 9 : km 11.11 - alt. 723 m - Track junction, on the left
  11. 10 : km 12.08 - alt. 627 m - Signpost, path on the left
  12. 11 : km 13.93 - alt. 387 m - Fork in the path, turn right
  13. S/E : km 16.65 - alt. 297 m - Parking is available along the D6B

Practical information

Despite the average distance and elevation gain, this hike is rated "Difficult" for two reasons. Firstly, the lack of markings between (5) and (6) makes progress a little hazardous. on the other hand, the very steep climb between (5) and (7) to reach the summit of Mont Olympe. While the long approach walk is suitable for walkers of all levels, the final part of the ascent requires good training and physical fitness.

For those who would like to shorten the hike, it is possible to continue by car to a paved parking area just before the bridge over the Canal de Provence.

There are no water sources along the route. The small stream that runs between (10) and (11) is a pleasant place to cool your face, but the water is not tested for potability.

There are several stony and unstable sections. High-top hiking boots and walking sticks are recommended. However, you will need to fold them up during the final part of the climb.

For those who would like to avoid the fallen pine trees that block the path after (1), on both the outward and return journeys, simply follow the blue markings, which will make the hike a little longer.

In the nearby area

The 360° panorama from the summit of Mont Olympe is worth the hike alone. On a clear day in late winter, you can see the snow-capped peaks of the Mercantour, more than 100 km away...!

There are many hikes to enjoy in the Sainte-Victoire and Sainte-Baume mountains, which you can find on the website.

Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume

Hermitage of Saint-Jean du Puy

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 27 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
jpoux
jpoux
• Last modified:

Hello
Climbed in reverse, with a return trip on the Olympus of Mount Aurélien: superb hike.

  • from the large cairn at the 11 o'clock rock, there is a very frequent yellow trail that is painted over the blue mark in many places, up to the pass above Le Perdu.
  • below the sheepfold at Le Perdu, as usual, there are large private property signs on either side of the DFCI road leading to the canal, but I think the DFCI is public, isn't it?

There are many fossils south of Mount Olympus, some of them quite large (>10 cm)

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Markus Buter
Markus Buter

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jan 24, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A very beautiful hike that we – a group of twelve people aged between 50 and 85 – did on 25 January 2024 in sunny weather with little wind (. 14 km with ~670 m elevation gain. It took us 5 hours and 40 minutes. Thank you very much for sharing this beautiful hike!

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Monsieur C
Monsieur C

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

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

A somewhat challenging hike, but well worth the effort. The views are superb.

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Fabrice Debû
Fabrice Debû

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 09, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

The signposting between the Perdu sheepfold and Mount Olympus has been redone (yellow signposts), and is now easy to follow

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clorima
clorima

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Mar 19, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

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LAURENTGRI
LAURENTGRI

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

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

Very nice hike, but not that difficult! Superb view of the Sainte Victoire mountain... when the sky is clear!

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goelandsud
goelandsud
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : May 06, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A very pleasant hike on a beautiful, windless day. I think the difficulty rating is exaggerated.
However, I was surprised to find private property signs along the hike on the trail at point 5 and, in particular, at the top of Mount Olympus, a sign on a hunting stand:

Syndicat des Propriétaires des BDR
A.S.L du Haut de l'Arc
MOUNT OLYMPE
Private Property No Trespassing.
You are liable for any damage caused

Does this mean that Mount Olympus is off-limits to hikers?

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JPSAN
JPSAN

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Mar 21, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Thanks for the ride. A few things have been improved for the route marking:
- a recent yellow trail on the climb up Mount Olympus (instead of the faded blue trail)
- after Mount Olympus, you can follow the blue trail, which has been enhanced with two purple markers
Comments to be corrected
- the yellow container is at point 3
- the Perdu sheepfold is at point 4 (as can be seen on the IGN map)

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Randonneur du dimanche
Randonneur du dimanche

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Feb 19, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Beautiful hike, a bit challenging, especially the climb before Olympus (now marked in yellow)
360° view of the entire region. Superb!
Avoid on days when the mistral wind is blowing (it's very windy up there).

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moutte1955rene
moutte1955rene

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 05, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

A beautiful hike, the only detail for me is the directions at the start: there should be no mention of the DCFI barrier or the direction of Regagnas, as these could be misleading. Instead, the direction of the Saint-Jean chapel should be indicated.

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fanch140
fanch140

Not completed due to the pandemic and the closure of clubs

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sylaine
sylaine

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Feb 23, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

a bit of a climb, but the view from the top is magnificent.

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mongolie
mongolie

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Feb 21, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very beautiful hike with magnificent weather. A gentle climb up to the pass. A good, not too long climb up to Mount Olympus. Rewarded at the summit with a superb view and crocuses! Despite the lack of signposts to the 11 o'clock rock, the path is fairly visible. We completed it in 5 hours.

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sylaine
sylaine

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Feb 03, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

hello,
i went hiking today in very windy weather
but despite that, the view was magnificent all around.
we wanted to do the Olympus round trip but there was too much wind
the descent along the stream is very pleasant
thank you.

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Pp30
Pp30

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 30, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Hello
A very beautiful hike, we did it in sunny weather. The "difficult" rating is justified by the climb up Mount Olympus, which is very steep (do not attempt this hike in the opposite direction). The markings for this climb have recently been repainted in yellow. There is a beautiful view from the top

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