Tour of the Untinos Oppidum and the Trou ridges

This short hike runs along the steepest slopes of the mountain, where you will be dazzled by the mineral colours of the rock. You will discover the ruins of a medieval Celtic-Ligurian fortified settlement abandoned around the 10th century on the Untinos oppidum, and the return route offers magnificent views of the ochre ridges in the foreground of Sainte-Victoire.

Details

954048
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.34 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 292 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 290 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 583 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 317 m

Photos

Description of the walk

The starting point is in the car park of the Maison de la Sainte-Victoire in Saint-Antonin-sur-Bayon.

(S/E) From this car park, follow the yellow and black wooden signs marked "départs sentiers" (trailheads). Take the trail to the right when facing Sainte-Victoire, which runs along the road on the right. When you reach the 2 aiguilles car park, cross the road and take the path that branches off to the right and runs along the road on the left. Then take the path that climbs to the right, marked in black (do not take the one with the wooden steps).

(1) When you reach the three paths, take the left-hand path that climbs uphill. The brown markings then begin. At the next junction of two paths, take the left-hand path that descends towards the ochre ridge. Continue straight ahead, ignoring the climbing paths on either side.

(2) Don't miss the path on the left with a brown cross on the rock. The path climbs quite steeply, then the brown markings reappear.

(3) When you reach a sign, you can make a round trip to the ruins by taking the path on the left. At point 570, do not take the path that descends to the left, but continue straight ahead to the end of the oppidum.

(4) Return to the crossroads with the sign.

(3) Turn left towards "Refuge Cézanne". Pass the Oratory of Friendship at elevation 532. Follow the red/white markings.

(5) At the next crossroads, take the path on the left that goes downhill. Join a path, turn left, marked in red. Stay on the red markings, at the bottom of the stairs, take the main path on the left.

(6) Don't miss the small path on the left at the bend near the olive grove. Then immediately join the path on the left marked in yellow. Pass the oratory and continue on the path marked in yellow.
Join a larger path and turn left. At the crossroads, leave the path and take the path on the right that goes uphill. The path is still marked in yellow.

(7) When you reach the road at the Saint-Antonin-sur-Bayon sign, stay on the path to the left of the road (do not stray from it as it is private but pedestrians are allowed). Then join the road, cross it and arrive at the Maison de la Sainte-Victoire. Then head for the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 430 m - Maison de la Sainte-Victoire. Near - Bayon (torrent) Affluent de l'Arc
  2. 1 : km 0.92 - alt. 491 m - 3 paths
  3. 2 : km 1.45 - alt. 528 m - Croix Marron
  4. 3 : km 1.67 - alt. 582 m - Wooden sign
  5. 4 : km 2.12 - alt. 560 m - Oppidum Untinos
  6. 5 : km 3.67 - alt. 439 m - On the left
  7. 6 : km 4.55 - alt. 323 m - Turn left onto the path. Near the - Bayon (torrent) Affluent de l'Arc
  8. 7 : km 5.82 - alt. 416 m - Entrance to Saint-Antonin-sur-Bayon
  9. S/E : km 6.34 - alt. 430 m - Parking at the Maison de la Sainte-Victoire

Notes

Please note that access to the massif is regulated. Remember to call 04 42 34 20 60 before setting off.
Access to wooded areas is prohibited from 1 July to the second Sunday in September.
There are no water sources. It can get very hot in summer.

Worth a visit

Enjoy the magnificent views of the mineral landscape of Sainte-Victoire.

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 42 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.4 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.3 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
User 28529706

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 21, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely walk with stunning views

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User 24613553

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 20, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very nice hike, accessible, not very busy during the week. Too bad the Ste Victoire house was closed.

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jolo07
jolo07

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 05, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A pleasant hike with the Sainte omnipresent! (as they say in the south!)
Beautiful views of the Etoile massif, Sainte Baume, the Monts Auréliens and even, from the Croix de l'Amitié, the Roquefavour bridge!
The paths are a bit rough in places, but with good shoes and walking sticks, everything goes smoothly
Also worth doing in spring when the irises are in bloom

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FrancRous
FrancRous

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 19, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike with stunning views. We went on a Saturday morning when it was fairly quiet, perhaps due to the mixed weather.

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Hélène chartier
Hélène chartier

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 14, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very nice hike! However, the directions are not always very clear. We didn't get lost, but we would have liked better signage...because there are many paths, some of which lead to the Cross, others to the shelters, and it was a little complicated to find our way. The views are exceptional, and we really enjoyed this hike. We only go on day hikes (with a picnic) on Fridays because there are very few other hikers out and about then. Wherever we go, we hardly ever meet anyone! It's really nice.
I recommend this very pleasant walk. We finished with a visit to the museum at the Maison de la Sainte Victoire, where we had started, and a relaxing drink at its small café-restaurant with its friendly welcome.

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fouret josette
fouret josette

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 27, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

This trail is classified as "easy", but it is not. There are far too many stones and rocks on the way up and down through the oppidum to reach the car park without returning via the Cézanne refuge.
The average age was 80, which is why we were looking for easy hikes.

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EMCI13
EMCI13

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 21, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very pleasant hike with superb views. Enjoy it in the sunshine. The last 100 metres before the finish need to be cleared of brush, making it difficult to pass.

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JCTa
JCTa

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 24, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

interesting discovery and varied landscape

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JCTa
JCTa

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 25, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful 360° view of the Sainte-Victoire and Sainte-Baume mountains

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Patou12
Patou12

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 07, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

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POLHRI
POLHRI

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 15, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

With warm weather (25 to 28 degrees) on this Sunday in mid-April 2024, this is a beautiful hike with little shade and no major difficulties, but with a few good climbs and superb views of Sainte Victoire, the valley and the climbing routes. It was fairly easy to follow, although we got a little lost for about 15 minutes after point 6, where the yellow markings are useful.

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barbbu
barbbu

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 09, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike, but it's not always easy to find your way.

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Margaret Metivier
Margaret Metivier

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 23, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

We found that the signage was not easy to spot and not very reliable in terms of colours

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Delphine Chanel
Delphine Chanel

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 26, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

This route allows you to explore the surprising geology of Sainte Victoire and discover the area's human history with the Opppidum and abandoned village.
Some areas of the route are a little unclear, particularly towards the end, because the yellow markings split near the car park. Don't go too far towards the car park; stay in the rockier area to find the yellow trail that leads back to the Sainte Victoire house.

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phildaix
phildaix

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 03, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely walk with magnificent views at the foot of Mont Sainte-Victoire.
It can get a bit crowded, even on weekdays, so it's best not to set off too late.
it's true that you need to be careful because there are lots of paths going in all directions, especially after point 6, where the yellow markings are very useful.

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