The Eagle's Step

How do you get from the plain or the centre of the Alpilles to a place where you can see as far as the sea, nearly 50 km away, and in good weather, as far as the Cévennes? From the Pas de l'Aigle, with binoculars, you can see very far.

Details

1167177
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.96 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 10 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 216 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 216 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 391 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 237 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park at the Caume car park.

(S/E) Go up the tarmac road and follow it to the first cistern.

(1) Turn left and continue north. You will reach a second cistern located at a three-way junction in the road.

(2) Take the middle path: the left path leads to the Rocher des Deux Trous, which is more difficult. There is a sign (October 2023) to indicate this, but it is half faded. The path on the right descends southwards. The television relay station serves as a visual landmark, so it is difficult to go wrong. Once you reach the television relay station, turn sharply left and continue to the junction of the second antenna.

(3) Turn left and head towards a geodetic point on the ground from where you can see the Pas de l'Aigle in the distance, the destination of the hike.

(4) Continue for about 50 metres, then turn left onto a path. Continue straight ahead until you reach the Pas de l'Aigle.

(5) Continue to the summit (elevation 374). The last part, about fifty metres to go, may discourage some as there is a large rock that can be slippery.

(6) Enjoy the view, then retrace your steps to return to the Caume car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 241 m - Caume car park
  2. 1 : km 0.63 - alt. 237 m - Cistern 1
  3. 2 : km 1.56 - alt. 295 m - Cistern 2
  4. 3 : km 2.77 - alt. 379 m - Television relay junction
  5. 4 : km 3.59 - alt. 391 m - Geodetic point, antenna
  6. 5 : km 4.19 - alt. 375 m - Pas de l'Aigle
  7. 6 : km 4.44 - alt. 352 m - Summit
  8. S/E : km 8.96 - alt. 241 m - Caume car park

Notes

There is a large car park where you can park your car and unload your equipment.
The first part is paved and includes a botanical trail.
There are water tanks at intervals along the path. They are placed there (only in summer?) so that animals can drink, as we are in a Regional Nature Park. I did this route with my dog (a sheepdog), who was able to drink without any problems. Please note: I returned in autumn and there was no water! So it remains uncertain.

This route passes through multiple protected areas, which may be subject to special regulations:

Worth a visit

There is a botanical trail at the bottom, which is suitable for children.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 10 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.4 / 5
jomareltin
jomareltin

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

Ascent on paved road to the television relay station. Magnificent view at the geodetic point

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le islois
le islois

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 12, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Beautiful hike, stunning views at Pas de l'Aigle, but a bit too much tarmac. Great hike.

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User 16284237

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 16, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Very beautiful hike

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LIONEL13118
LIONEL13118

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 01, 2025
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Thank you so much for sharing, it was great!

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captainalan1
captainalan1

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 28, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A leisurely walk to be enjoyed in sunny, windless weather... with a snack at Pas de l'Aigle, where you can take your time and enjoy the 360° panorama. Suitable for all.
Not forgetting the rock with two holes on the way back.

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Miguelita
Miguelita

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 02, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Asphalt climb to the television relay station. As it is a round trip, I recommend taking the side paths (unpaved) on the way there and taking a detour (weather permitting) to the rock with two holes. The route is busy until you reach the Rocher des 2 Trous, after which it's very quiet (done on a Sunday). Once you reach the summit, you can see the planes and gliders at Romanin aerodrome. Personally, I really enjoyed it.

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thnad
thnad

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 11, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Use the small paths that allow you to avoid the paved section.

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Cbent
Cbent

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 03, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : Yes

The route was disappointing in terms of its shape (round trip) and also because three quarters of it was on a tarmac path. The Eagle's Step itself lives up to its name because we were lucky enough to see a vulture, and the last part in Crete was not bad.

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petitlapin70
petitlapin70

Actually, I changed the name of this rock a little, and actually, this hike can be done on its own, but also, as we did in addition to the Eagle hike, either going up or coming down.

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Jef13670
Jef13670

Hello, if the "pierced rock" is in fact the "Rock of Two Holes", there is a specific hike for this rock, which can be done via a fairly simple detour.

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petitlapin70
petitlapin70

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 22, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful hike, easy with magnificent views; just a little uncertainty at the end of the trail to reach the Eagle Pass; but in any case, it was impossible to go any further, so... we were on the right track. On the way back, take the time to go to the pierced rock, where the view is also magnificent!

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a.elie91
a.elie91

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 27, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike done on a day without mistral but under a slightly cloudy sky ☁️ so... An easy walk with very steady climbs in a magnificent landscape. A panoramic view once you reach the plateau. Don't miss the viewpoint on the left just after the second antenna! We made a detour to the rock with two holes and it's worth a look! Two and a half hours in total... Note the presence of numerous Atlas cedars, which seem to have become endemic!

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Jef13670
Jef13670

Hello, yes, the trail is marked in red and white.

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AUDO13
AUDO13

Hello, is the hike fully marked or not? Thank you.

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