The Grand Arbois Plateau, northern section

This short, very easy hike on a wide, even trail is ideal for a family outing. Avoid it on mistral days and in summer, as there is no shade and the plateau is very exposed to the wind.
Beautiful unobstructed views of Aix-en-Provence, Éguilles, the Chaîne de l'Étoile, Gardanne and Sainte-Victoire.

Details

510910
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.77 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 125 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 125 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 255 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 126 m
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ District: Aix-en-Provence (13100|13090|13540)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 43.488716° / E 5.316293°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 3143ET
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Photos

Description of the walk

Departure from the car park specially provided by the Departmental Council. It is located on the D65D, on the left, immediately after the Departmental Guard on horseback.

(S/E) Leave the car park towards the Departmental Council reception area and toilets. Take the path on the right opposite the toilets.

Stay on this path, going straight ahead, passing under high-voltage power lines and ignoring several paths on the left that lead to passages under the TGV railway line. You will arrive at a crossroads located about twenty metres from the TGV line (elevation 153).

(1) Turn left to pass under an imposing concrete bridge. Then cross over the Marseille canal, walk a few metres to the right to enjoy the view and return to the path.

Ignore the next two paths on the right and walk alongside an underground gas pipeline. Pass the underground cistern, stay on this path straight ahead until you reach the high-voltage line and continue for about a hundred metres until you reach a crossroads with four paths.

(2) Take the path on the left and continue straight ahead; do not take the paths on either side.

(3) At the four-way junction (elevation 253), take the path on the left (a photo of the hike shows the rock with the sign AR107). Stay on this path until you reach the fork at the underground cistern.

(4) Continue on the path on the left. Pass under the high-voltage power line and stay on this main path, ignoring the paths branching off to the left and right.

(5) When you reach the junction at elevation 207, you will see the bridge over the TGV line that you will be taking. Continue left in this direction.

(6) Cross the TGV bridge. Stay on the right-hand path at the next fork, then turn left to return to the car park where you started (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 130 m - Car park available.
  2. 1 : km 0.7 - alt. 144 m - Pass under the TGV bridge and then over the - Canal de Marseille
  3. 2 : km 3.75 - alt. 251 m - Path on the left
  4. 3 : km 4.73 - alt. 253 m - Marker on rock, on the left
  5. 4 : km 5.96 - alt. 238 m - Buried cistern, left path
  6. 5 : km 7.15 - alt. 207 m - Junction, on the left
  7. 6 : km 8.03 - alt. 160 m - Crossing the TGV bridge
  8. S/E : km 8.77 - alt. 130 m - Car park available.

Notes

There are no water sources, so plan accordingly.
Avoid this hike in mistral weather, as it is a windy plateau.

Reviews and comments

3.8 / 5
Based on 12 reviews

Reliability of the description
3.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.3 / 5
Route interest
3.4 / 5
phildaix
phildaix

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 26, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Plateau traversed with a violent mistral wind; it wasn't a good idea... a few views of Ste Victoire but overall it's very flat...

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Mimi13
Mimi13

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 24, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Very few people because it was 24 December... Lunch break at Jas des Vaches, near point 2. Thanks to the mistral wind (which blows strongly between points 1 and 2 of the hike), there was a magnificent view of Sainte Victoire, Mont Ventoux and the snow on the Southern Alps. Easy hike, lots of paths but no problems with the explanations and the map.

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Chastin annick
Chastin annick

Overall rating : 1.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 27, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

It is very difficult to find your way around, especially at intersections, as the map is not very clear. Furthermore, as there is no way to find your bearings on this plateau, we wandered around, turned back several times and walked for 4.5 hours instead of 2.5.
Otherwise, the park is very well maintained.

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dadouph
dadouph

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 15, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful walk in a fairly wild setting.
We did it in mixed weather but without wind. The only drawback was the high-voltage power lines and a few motorbikes...

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Jomoa
Jomoa

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 15, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Walking leisurely and taking the time to look at the flowers and the landscape, it took us 2 hours and 45 minutes. It was perfect!

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B.Grisolle
B.Grisolle

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 15, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

There are so many paths leading in all directions that it's not easy to find your way around. But the main thing is to find your way back to where you started so you don't get lost. Thank you anyway. Best regards

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Poukynette
Poukynette

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 11, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Excellent explanations and the route on the map was perfect. A very beautiful hike, the only difficult part being the distance to cover.

Points to bear in mind:
- Don't do it on sunny days as there is no shade.
- The hike lacks variety. There are beautiful views in the surrounding area, but the path itself is nothing special.

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Jean Rmb
Jean Rmb

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 03, 2021
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A great route for Nordic walking, with wide paths, few hills and an easy-to-follow trail. A real training course!
Large car park at the start, beautiful views.
Thanks to the author, lorenzotess, for sharing!

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grandin
grandin ★

The route I would take if I were to go there would be as follows:
On the D65 between Roquefavour and Pont de St-Fons, I would take the D65c towards La Mérindolle, then, at the castle, the D65d on the left to the car park.

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marcmoine
marcmoine

I haven't done this hike yet.
One question, though. How do I get to the starting point, considering that I don't know where the Tour d'Arbois is?

Not everyone has a satnav
And the D 65D is on the left coming from where?
Which town are we in?
That said, after reading all the comments, I'm not sure if I'll venture there
Please give me the information anyway

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grandin
grandin ★

On the hike information sheet, you can enlarge the map for greater accuracy. And at the beginning of the description, it is specified

Departure from the car park specially provided by the Departmental Council. It is located on the D65D, on the left, immediately after the Departmental Mounted Guard.

Alternatively, the GPS coordinates of the starting point: N 43.488716° / E 5.316293° can be used on the website

https://www.coordonnees-gps.fr/

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marcmoine
marcmoine

I haven't done this hike yet.
One question, though. How do I get to the starting point, considering that I don't know where the Tour d'Arbois is?

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Sauvaneb
Sauvaneb

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : May 25, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

An easy hike but not particularly interesting. I would recommend following the Badaïre trail instead, which offers more beautiful views.

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ALFLIPO33
ALFLIPO33

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 05, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A very easy and pleasant hike with beautiful views. Suitable for families, although it may be a little long for young children. No particular navigation issues. Done on a sunny, windless winter's day... It would certainly be different on a mistral day or a summer afternoon, as there are very few trees...

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PL21
PL21

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 29, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average

Hello,
This hike is quite similar to the other two on the Arbois plateau. Beautiful views in the distance, but the plateau itself is not particularly interesting. Not many people during the week.
If it's windy, even if it's not too strong like it was on the day of our hike, wrap up warm!
To find your way, there are trails going in all directions and it's easy to get lost (especially at the first fork after point 2, take the right-hand path), but with the map and the power lines (which are everywhere...) you'll find your way.
Best regards

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