The Pic des Mouches via the Sentier des Plaideurs and the Col des Portes

A circular starting from the northern slope of Montagne de la Sainte-Victoire to reach Col de Suberoque via the Sentier des Plaideurs trail, then following the GR®9 along the ridges towards Pic des Mouches. A few technical sections without any major difficulties and, above all, a 360° panorama.

Details

n°85925433

Creation:
04 Oct 2025

Last update:
07 Oct 2025

Last review:
18 May 2026

Activity: Walking
Distance: 8.51 mi
Average duration: 5h 55
Difficulty: Difficult
Back to start: Yes
Ascent: + 2,260 ft
Descent: - 2,251 ft
Highest point: 3,310 ft
Lowest point: 1,585 ft

Country: France
Area: Sainte-Victoire (Massif)
City: Vauvenargues (13126)
Start/End: N 43.55041° / E 5.672558°
IGN map(s): Ref. 3244ET, 3344OT
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Description of the walk

Coming from Vauvenargues, park in the first car park on the right, located about 700 m after the Col des Portes.

(S/E) Follow the path that runs alongside the D10, climbing up to the left to reach Col des Portes at an altitude of 631 metres. Follow the D10 on the hard shoulder for 450 metres until you reach a junction with the DFCI SV102 track and underground cistern no. 267.

(1) Turn left onto this horizontal track heading west. Please note: see the practical information section. Keep left at two successive track crossings and you will arrive at a Y-junction at an elevation of 510 metres.

(2) Turn left onto a pleasant path through the woods and arrive at a Y-junction.

(3) Turn left, heading southwest along a path through the woods that joins the Sentier des Plaideur trail, marked in green, further on.

(4) Turn left onto this trail. The difficulty quickly increases with rocky passages to cross. The climb becomes steeper with more and more rocks but remains accessible. You will arrive at a large cairn 100 m before reaching the top of a cliff at elevation 775. Admire the landscape. Take the opportunity to enjoy a well-deserved break.

(5) Enjoy a short descent through the woods before tackling the final steep and rocky climb (300 m). You will arrive at the Col de Suberoque (941 m).

(6) Join the GR®9 and head east towards Pic des Mouches. The view is magnificent. Follow the GR®9, which passes close to the ridges, with a few ascents and descents through the sharp limestone pavement. At an altitude of 975 m, there is a tricky section with chains to help you descend the rocks. Then a short, steep final climb takes you to Pic des Mouches (1,011 m) and its orientation table. Admire the 360° view.

(7) Continue east on the GR®9 and keep right at a Y-junction. At an elevation of 971 metres, take a short detour to the left to discover a huge chasm filled with vegetation. Take care. Continue on the GR®9 and arrive at the Oratoire de Malivert at an elevation of 775 metres.

(8) Leave the GR®9 and turn left onto the DFCI track, which descends gently. After crossing two cattle grids, you will reach the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

S/E : mi 0 - alt. 1,919 ft - Car park - Col des Portes (631m)
1 : mi 0.7 - alt. 1,969 ft - DFCI SV102 track
2 : mi 2.72 - alt. 1,670 ft - Elevation 510 - Y-junction
3 : mi 3.17 - alt. 1,585 ft - Y-junction
4 : mi 3.36 - alt. 1,677 ft - Sentier des Plaideurs
5 : mi 3.82 - alt. 2,503 ft - Elevation 775 - Ressaut
6 : mi 4.17 - alt. 3,084 ft - Col de Suberoque (941m)
7 : mi 5.37 - alt. 3,307 ft - Pic des Mouches
8 : mi 6.63 - alt. 2,556 ft - Oratoire de Malivert (Puyloubier)
S/E : mi 8.51 - alt. 1,919 ft - Car park - Col des Portes (631m)

Notes

For information: the author took 4 hours 15 minutes to complete this route (excluding breaks).

At the start of the SV102 trail, pay close attention to the signs indicating areas and periods when large game (wild boar) is being hunted.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5

Based on 2 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5

Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5

Route interest
5 / 5

Claraazimut

18 May 2026 at 08:26 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 18, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

I set off at 7am with my dog for this hike. The climb is steep but doesn’t present any major difficulties. You do need to use your hands at times. I reached the top of the ridges after 1 hour and 45 minutes. The view is superb! If you stay on the path, you won’t feel dizzy. But if you get closer to the cliffs, you will. There are two sections with a chain to help you get down. Again, no particular difficulty if you take your time. My dog is calm and agile, so no problem at all. We came across some goats. I met very few people on the way up to the peak. Far more on the way back down. A hike just the way I like them, with a good climb and magnificent views! Thanks for this route

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ratonas

09 Dec 2025 at 07:18 3600

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 09, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike completed on 08/12/25 in bright sunshine. It begins with a long walk along DFCI paths (flat or slightly sloping) at the foot of Saint Victoire. The climb up Les Plaideurs is tough, but what a view of the ridges when you reach the top! Fantastic!
However, I feel it is necessary to draw attention to the difficulties encountered between points 6 and 8. These sections may not be particularly difficult in spring or summer, but outside these periods, this stretch can be complex and even dangerous in places. The trail runs along the north face (in the shade) and the rocks are very damp or even wet. You are sure to slip if you are not vigilant and very careful.
In short, this is a "real" difficult hike. Good physical condition and good equipment (shoes, walking sticks, etc.) are required. I do not recommend it for people who are afraid of heights or who do not have good balance. It is not suitable for children and I do not recommend doing it with your dog (at least at this time of year).
However, it is still an excellent hike to do in spring or September. Thank you to Vusky for sharing this route with us.

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