Le Pé de la Colle and the Vallon de Trébuquet from Riboux

This walk is very pleasant in Pagnol's Provence, in the foothills of the Sainte-Baume massif, passing through the charmingly named "Pé de la Colle".

Even though much of it is on tarmac roads, there are no visitors as it is a dead end. This in no way spoils the feeling of solitude and being surrounded by nature!

Details

59912
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.61 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 25 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 146 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 137 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 618 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 514 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park your vehicle in the charming village of Riboux, nestled at the foot of the Sainte-Baume massif.

(S/E) Start from the car park and follow the D602 tarmac road heading east. Walk up through the village, leaving the last building on your left, the small chapel with its charming tree-lined square.
Continue along the tarmac road. Pass the cistern on your right.

(1) Then pass the concrete cistern with its unusual shape, also on your right. Go up the small road that winds through the heath. Pass several cultivated fields on your left, including a huge orchard. The road continues its gentle ascent.

(2) Pass a house in a place called "Le Pé de la Colle". There is a courtyard with lots of equipment and horses.
Don't look for any other explanation for these terms than the Provençal from which they originate: the foot of the hill. We are indeed at the foot of the Colle Blanche and the Colle Noire, the ridges of Sainte-Baume.

Continue along the road, lined with heath, maquis and olive groves.
Pass one last house. At the entrance to the property, on the left, you will see a concrete structure with five letterboxes.
The road turns into a simple but well-marked forest path.

The track then enters a forest alternating between pine and oak trees, while remaining clearly visible.
The forest is extremely clean (it was cleared and brushed in 2015).
Continue until you reach a cistern at an elevation of 592 metres, at a place called Le Grand Perru (meaning 'big pear tree' in Provençal).
This is the start of the Vallon de Trébuquet.

(3) Continue eastwards, climbing slightly. Pass elevation 611 and reach the hollow of a vallat (Provençal for a hollow torrent fed by rainwater, in other words an intermittent stream subject to the rhythm of Mediterranean rainfall, between Le Grand Perru and Le Petit Perru, at an altitude of 590 m.
The rest of the trail leads to Les Maulnes, descending slightly (570 m).

(4) Return via the same route to reach the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 514 m - Village of Riboux
  2. 1 : km 0.68 - alt. 527 m - At the well - Turn left
  3. 2 : km 2.58 - alt. 611 m - Le Pé de la Colle
  4. 3 : km 4.26 - alt. 592 m - Le Grand Perru Citerne
  5. 4 : km 5.31 - alt. 589 m - The foot of Petit Perru
  6. S/E : km 10.61 - alt. 514 m - Village of Riboux

Notes

Warning
The route is suitable for adults and accompanied children, including people with reduced mobility (up to the start of the pine forest).

Estimated time
I completed this route on foot in 2 hours, including breaks and photos. This is a fairly short time. Allow 2½ to 3½ hours for a family outing.

Drinking water
There are no drinking water points along the hike. Bring what you need.

Shelter
There is no shelter along the route.

Equipment
In summer, bring the usual equipment for hiking in the lowlands (hiking boots, walking or sports shoes, suitable clothing, rainwear, water, food, etc.).
In all seasons, bring a map, GPS or the Visorando app on your smartphone.

Traffic
Very low, except in the village of Riboux during high season.

Worth a visit

Near
- La Sainte-Baume
- OK Corral amusement park

The hills of Riboux were the setting for the two films Jean de Florette and Manon des Sources.
Le Mas des Romarins is located in the commune... but I won't say where, because it's private property!

Reviews and comments

4.2 / 5
Based on 7 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.1 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4 / 5
Daniel Ganem
Daniel Ganem

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 17, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike. Most of the hike is on paved roads, but when the paths open up before you, the GPS tells you thatyou have to turn back, which is a bit frustrating. In my opinion, it should be longer. The return trip was different; you don't see the same things. Very easy for everyone. I took the opportunity to test my walking speed, which was much better. If you don't mind tarmac roads, it's a nice walk and perfect for getting in shape.
Best regards, Daniel from the Aubagne Friends group.

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Pascal04
Pascal04
• Edited:

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 05, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Nice route, but it's a shame to spend so much time on this narrow road where there are still a few cars passing by. In any case, those who live there are well hidden.

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Dominique Ut
Dominique Ut

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 07, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hello,
I went as far as the cistern (then I turned off, but honestly, I should have continued on the trail...).
It was a wonderful little hike, for me a rehabilitation hike for my broken ankle... perfect for getting back into the swing of things or not getting tired when it's very hot! Lots of magical forest, no water... and no people. And I came across a deer and her fawn, and a rather extraordinary pine cone: video here:
https://youtu.be/WItAOovwzDc
Many thanks: I'll be back, I love this area!

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katia p
katia p

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 14, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

It's more of a stroll than a hike, as advertised: a short tarmac road followed by a forest track.
But it's nice and easy, great for families.
We didn't have any problems, but it's easier with the app!
After point 2, past the last house, the road turns into a track. There's no need to look for a path.

thanks to everyone who takes the trouble to share their routes.

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valvivazul
valvivazul

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 27, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

From point 2:"The road turns into a simple forest path, but it is well marked. The path then enters a forest alternating between pine and oak trees, while remaining very visible.", the description is no longer accurate because the path is closed off by private property. It is therefore impossible to continue, and I had to turn back and climb the hill via another path. As a result, I did not reach the Vallon de Trébuquet. This is not a problem as it is still beautiful, but the description needs to be updated.
Thanks anyway!

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MCTOUL
MCTOUL

Well, thank you ditgege for your constructive comment!
At this point, take the two hours you have ahead of you to publish your own hikes!
I will evaluate them with the same kindness as you!
Best regards

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ditgege
ditgege

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 09, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : No

PLEASE NOTE - The suggested route is not a hike, but a walk that is mostly on tarmac and continues along a track.
So if you are a hiker, even an older one, even if you are looking for an easy walk, there are better options starting from Riboux.
Riboux is a magnificent area with plenty of hiking opportunities - past the village car park you will find an information point with signs indicating all the paths you can take. So create a route to suit you, the countryside is beautiful.
However, if you insist on doing this route, you will find a track parallel to the road in the middle of nature and quite wild.
It starts behind the well, is marked with yellow paint, and rejoins the road near the Pé de la Cole farm. There are several other options for the return trip.

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MCTOUL
MCTOUL
Pontier.Henri
Pontier.Henri

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 19, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

During this hike, or rather walk, we met another group of hikers. We talked about hiking and Visorando. This person, who wished to remain anonymous, showed me the Riboux hike through the Malaucène forest on the Visorando app on their smartphone. I couldn't find it on your website.
Can you guide me so that I can save it and do this hike? Thank you.

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