The Pic de Bertagne from Plan d'Aups

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A beautiful hike that leads to the Pic de Bertagne, where you can enjoy a breathtaking 360° view.

Details

n°2189461
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.24 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,621 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,617 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 3,386 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 2,238 ft
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Photos

View of the ridge
At the end of the Pic de Bertagne
At the end of the Pic de Bertagne

Description of the walk

Park in the Brasque car park, well known to hikers in Plan d'Aups.

(S/E) Take theGRP®2013Marseille Provence Métropole trail eastwards, leaving it at the entrance to Plan-d'Aups to reach the crossroads with the Chemin de l'Ubac.

(1) Take it on the right, following the houses of Ubac. You will reach a crossroads with several directions.

(2) Turn almost 90° left onto a nearly flat track. Pass in front of a cave, overlooking the Pas de Roubaud neighbourhood. Then join the Chemin des Braconniers.

(3) Take the small path on the left, continue and start a fairly steep climb towards the top of the Sainte-Baume plateau. Some sections require the use of your hands, but nothing impossible. Follow the signs at the start of the path carefully so as not to miss the trail, which is well marked thereafter. You will come out on the ridge at the junction withthe GR® 98.

(4) Turn right heading west towards the antennas and telecommunications masts. Follow the GR° to the Col du Fauge.

(5) Leave theGR®98here, turning right towards the north and then west until you reach the tarmac road.

(6) Take this road on the left to reach the Pic de Bertagne and its famous dome.

(7) Follow the road to the previous crossroads.

(6) Turn left to access a fairly technical descent to the Col de Bretagne, where you will also join the Vallon du Chemin de Fer.

(8) Take theGRP® 2013 Marseille Provence on the right. Follow it to the Brasque car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 2,260 ft - La Brasque car park
  2. 1 : mi 0.4 - alt. 2,254 ft - Chemin de l'Ubac
  3. 2 : mi 0.82 - alt. 2,454 ft - Turn left on the north-facing slope
  4. 3 : mi 1.99 - alt. 2,349 ft - Small path on the left
  5. 4 : mi 2.53 - alt. 3,179 ft - GR 98
  6. 5 : mi 4.91 - alt. 3,114 ft - Col du Fauge (967m)
  7. 6 : mi 5.28 - alt. 3,307 ft - Tarmac road junction
  8. 7 : mi 5.53 - alt. 3,340 ft - Pic de Bertagne
  9. 8 : mi 6.17 - alt. 2,838 ft - Vallon du Chemin de Fer - Col de Bertagne
  10. S/E : mi 7.24 - alt. 2,260 ft - La Brasque car park

Notes

(Between the dots)2(et)3::, please note that on this track there are private barriers belonging to a hunting company, which can be crossed without any problem as they are located on the edge of the property.

(8) Vallon du Chemin de Fer: The valley is so named because inthe 19th century there was a lignite mine at La Brasque and the coal was transported to Saint-Pons by a small train that has long since disappeared. For more information on this line, see here

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.

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Reviews and comments

4.4 / 5
Based on 34 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.1 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.2 / 5
Route interest
4.9 / 5
Wuji
Wuji

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 30, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely hike over varied terrain. There’s a nice little climb between points 3 and 4, through rocky outcrops; you do need to use your hands at times, but it’s not dangerous, as the path is well marked. The “ridge” section is very pleasant, with an extraordinary view of the Alpine massif to the north and the sea to the south. On the way back between points 5 and 6, there is a slightly steep descent with just a short “easy climb down” of about 3 metres. Then return to the starting point via a picturesque path.
Additional info: hike on very stony terrain; no water along the route.
Thanks to clamx for this route 👍

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bart30
bart30

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : May 22, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Unobstructed view, parish specific to Brittany with beautiful flowers

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lolo199
lolo199

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : May 08, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Varied landscapes: magnificent forest, rocky outcrops, ridges, meadows, cliffs...
And a view of the whole of Provence!

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ferrari174
ferrari174

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 16, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Nice hike, shame the weather wasn't on our side.

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Martine06130
Martine06130

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 05, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Some difficult sections (not to be attempted if it has rained the day before or if it is raining) as they can be very slippery.
Arrival at the ridge: magnificent!!!

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cblue
cblue

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 19, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Stunning view.

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BC83
BC83

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 18, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A fairly difficult route in places, but entirely doable..

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MPVR13090
MPVR13090

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 10, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The main difficulty is finding the path to climb up to the ridge. We found it by chance. The markings are yellow. The description is not very clear at this point.
Furthermore, the climb up to the ridge, as described elsewhere, requires you to use your hands in three or four places. It's not very difficult, but it could cause problems for some people. The same applies to the descent from the Bertagne peak in two or three places.
That said, it's a very beautiful hike with 360° views.

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Martine Thebault
Martine Thebault

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 17, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Beautiful hike at Ste Baume, stunning 360° view from the ridge
However, the description does not always match the actual terrain, so it is best to download the map to your phone
Part of the climb is a bit difficult. I don't recommend it in February when I did it, as the rocks are wet and very slippery, and the descent to the north is very technical. I had to slide down on my bottom because of the wet conditions, even at 3pm
Best done in spring

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Pseudo en cours de chargement
Pseudo en cours de chargement

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 25, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful view

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Samdisa
Samdisa

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 16, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike with stunning sea views.

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COLIBRI 83
COLIBRI 83

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 11, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

It was a breathtaking view
especially since we had sunshine
Alas! I made a mistake at the start and did it backwards
An acrobatic and athletic descent
Despite that, it was a real treat

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bernard.tachet
bernard.tachet

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 09, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful walk with a nice little climb and, above all, a magnificent view.
I highly recommend it.
We followed the GR and yellow trail markers.
Thanks for this route, we'll do others

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Remysapin@club-internet.fr
Remysapin@club-internet.fr

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 10, 2022
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

As already mentioned in the previous comment, the steep climb between points 3 and 4 can be tricky (especially for septuagenarians like us!). The rocks are very slippery when wet, even in very good weather on this north-facing slope that gets no sun (at least in winter). We made it through without any problems, secured by a hiker in his prime. To be on the safe side, we took the very quiet road reserved for military use to descend from point 6 to point 8. Apart from that, it is a very beautiful route with sublime views.

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madi83
madi83

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 18, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

From up there, the view stretches across the entire horizon, accompanying you along the 8 km ridge walk: magnificent!
On both the ascent and descent, crossing the steepest part of the massif is a little tricky. You will need to use your hands and should avoid this section if the ground is wet.
The route description is sometimes vague.

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