The tour of Les Infernets and La Petite Mer

This hike offers breathtaking, legendary views of Lake Zola, with the Montagne Sainte-Victoire painted by Cézanne in the background. Marked paths alternate with wild trails.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.54 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,148 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,119 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,135 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 614 ft

Photos

Description of the walk

The walk starts from the cemetery car park. This is on the D17 after passing through Le Tholonet, taking a left turn uphill at the Moulin de Cézanne.

(S/E) From the car park, take the road that climbs to the right of the cemetery.
At the property at No. 257, which is blocked by a green gate, take the path with a green barrier, marked in yellow.
At the private swimming pool, take the path marked with yellow dots on the left that goes uphill.
Follow the yellow dots until you reach a path.

(1) Take it on the right uphill. At the top, at the wooden gate, take the path on the left, marked in yellow/red.
Join a wide path, turn left downhill, signposted "Barrage Zola".
Continue downhill to the dam.

(2) Cross the Zola dam and, after the wooden bridge, take the path immediately on the right.
Then keep as far to the right as possible to enjoy the view of the reservoir.
When you reach a platform, continue on. At a cairn, take the path on the right, marked in purple/white.
The path then becomes tricky on the side of the rock, is no longer marked and descends towards the stream on the right.

(3) When you reach a small valley, take the path on the right (do not continue straight ahead on the path that is not shown on the map). The path joins the Cause stream. Then join a larger path and take it to the right.

(4) When you reach a fork in the path, take the left-hand path that climbs uphill (offset on the map). Then keep to the left to join a path that climbs up to the ridge.

(5) Cross a trail with a view of Sainte-Victoire, take it to the left, slightly uphill. Shortly after, leave the trail that climbs to the left (not shown on the map). At the top, you will arrive at theGR®653A, take it to the left.
Pass the cairns and stay on the main trail to reach a crossroads.

(6) Take the path on the left (do not climb the rocks), continue for a few metres and then, at the fork, follow the smaller path on the right (do not take the one that descends to the left).

Walk along the terraces on your right and continue straight ahead. When you reach a hollow rock, keep to the right. Then pass the stone walls around a cave and continue straight ahead.
You will come to a first viewpoint from where you can see the path ahead, on the right at the top of the white cliffs.
The path then climbs a little with a few steps carved into the rock. A sign on a tree appears in purple on a white background.

When you reach a Departmental Council sign with a purple/white marker, go down the path for 10 metres and then turn right (the path stays on the ridge). Then turn left onto the path that descends.
At the next junction, take the path on the left that descends, making an S-bend. Join a path coming from the left and continue straight ahead.
When you reach a fork in the path with stones in the middle, take the left-hand path.

(7) Finally, you will reach the part of the trail with multiple viewpoints over the Zola dam.
Pass a cave with two red "no entry" signs and continue straight ahead. You will come to a winding path below on the left.
Take it downhill to the left. Then continue along this path until it joins a main road. At this point (elevation 287), take the path opposite which climbs and then begins to descend. Stay on the main path until you reach the first properties.

(8) Continue to the left along the cliffs. The path then descends to the Roman dam.

(9) Cross the ford, then stay on this path which climbs uphill. Then rejoin the path you took on the way there.

(1) Turn right and follow the route in reverse to return to the cemetery car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 686 ft - Cemetery car park
  2. 1 : mi 0.32 - alt. 909 ft - Crossroads of the loop
  3. 2 : mi 1.2 - alt. 784 ft - Barrage Zola
  4. 3 : mi 1.75 - alt. 781 ft - Small valley, path on the right
  5. 4 : mi 1.83 - alt. 794 ft - On the left
  6. 5 : mi 1.99 - alt. 820 ft - On the left
  7. 6 : mi 3.05 - alt. 1,089 ft - On the left
  8. 7 : mi 3.65 - alt. 1,030 ft - Viewpoints
  9. 8 : mi 4.56 - alt. 682 ft - To the left towards the cliffs and the - Cause (rivière)
  10. 9 : mi 4.82 - alt. 614 ft - Barrage romain
  11. S/E : mi 5.54 - alt. 692 ft - Cemetery car park

Notes

There are no water sources or shelters along this route.
Be careful at the viewpoints (from point (6) to ), as you are on steep cliffs, so keep children close.

(6) You can continue on theGR® (up to elevation 287), but the view is much less impressive than the alternative route along the hunting trails and mountain bike tracks.

Be careful, the second part (between the point where you leave theGR®953Aand point 8) is difficult due to the multitude of trails created by mountain bikes. Fortunately, most of these trails converge.
The important thing to remember is to stay on the ridge, i.e. stay on the heights without going down into the valley and without returning to the plateau where theGR®953Apasses.
This detour along the ridges is really interesting for the exceptional view it offers of the Zola dam and the Sainte-Victoire mountain above. (map featured twice in Danièle Thompson's film "Cézanne et moi").

Worth a visit

Cézanne's mill, the Zola dam (François), the Bibemus quarry and the ruins of the old Roman dam.

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.

Reviews and comments

4 / 5
Based on 34 reviews

Reliability of the description
3.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
3.6 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
User 16352018

Overall rating : 2 / 5

Date of your route : May 04, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

⚠️ I did this route last week and I strongly advise against it ⚠️
As a regular hiker, this is the first time I’ve posted a review. The idea of offering alternative routes to the main trails isn’t a bad one, but given the number of paths and possible junctions in the area, I spent the whole day glued to my phone trying to follow the route… and I thought that was a shame. I do have a good sense of direction, but there are so many options that I strayed from the route I don’t know how many times, and I found it a right bore constantly checking that I hadn’t missed a junction again.
Then, the section running alongside the lake is a real pain in the arse. At first I was happy to be on a track leading down to the lake because the other routes didn’t go there, and with my dog it’s a great way to cool him off, but you soon realise why no other hike goes that way: the path is impossible to find, running along the side of the rocks; I nearly broke my wrist slipping, and I won’t even mention the climb back up… I was on the verge of turning back and finding a proper track.
Next, I think it’s a shame that once you’ve climbed the 300m elevation gain through a pine forest that’s certainly pleasant but not particularly interesting, the route doesn’t take you all the way to the Bimont dam! That’s what I ended up doing; it adds 1.5 or 2km, on flat ground, very easy and with magnificent views.
Finally, at the end of the route, after a dodgy descent – the icing on the cake – you come face to face with a ‘no entry’ sign… let’s just say I went through anyway, as I felt the only alternative was to take the road, which isn’t great with the dog, and I was fed up with constantly trying to find my way after 4–5 hours of walking. But I strongly urge you NOT TO DO THIS HIKE, because if it’s off-limits, there’s a reason!

Given my experience and that of other users (unfortunately I hadn’t read the previous reviews), I think it would be best to remove this route from the site.

Happy hiking to all!

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pauleetpierre
pauleetpierre

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 02, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Hello, read all the previous reviews before going on this hike.

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lasauvagine
lasauvagine

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 15, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

very beautiful and varied views
one section is tricky and requires you to stray from the path
the distance is a little longer than expected
but very happy to have done this hike

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phildaix
phildaix

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 04, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A repeat of the hike from the Bibémus car park this time (make the most of it, the road up to the car park will be closed from 15 June). The route is as majestic as ever. Note that the route between WP8 and WP9 (towards the Roman dam) is now closed.

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User 4286998
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : May 29, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Very nice tour of the dam with beautiful views! A fairly easy walk and not really "moderately difficult". But I enjoyed it anyway Thanks for sharing!

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CHANTAL ET VALTER
CHANTAL ET VALTER

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 13, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful hike with stunning views. With the app and the IGN Visorando map, it's easy to follow, but it's true that there are many paths that cross each other. The landscapes are magnificent, thanks to the author.
We'll do it again to show it to our friends.

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Luc4766
Luc4766

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 09, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Three-quarters of this hike offers a series of promontories with the most beautiful views of the Zola Dam with Sainte-Victoire in the background. Truly splendid. However, the route is difficult to follow as it is poorly marked or unmarked in places. There are many intersecting trails. A passage along the side of a rock after the Zola dam is impassable and requires a detour along the edge of the reservoir. You will need to backtrack a few times to find the right path. A GPS device is essential for finding your way and following the route, but the beauty of the view is well worth the difficulty of following the path.

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Caroline13
Caroline13

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

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

First hike with the app as our guide.
We didn't read the comments and relied solely on the map and route. This was a mistake, as the junctions were sometimes difficult to see. After several detours and backtracking, we finally finished the walk with our phones in hand, which is not our usual way of doing things.
Perhaps we should have prepared better before setting off.

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1950bba
1950bba

Overall rating : 4 / 5

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

Enjoy your walk.
There are a few difficulties with the route between 2 and 4.
In general, GPS is very useful.

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EGIALIS84
EGIALIS84

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 25, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The start of the route is relatively easy to follow. From point 3, we got lost. We tried several paths but never managed to get through. We returned to the main road and cut across to get straight back to point 6. From 6 to 7, everything went well, but then it got complicated again between 7 and 8. The route wasn't well signposted. In conclusion, the surroundings are beautiful but the route isn't clearly marked.

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danielfr40
danielfr40

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 07, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

a lovely walk, not too difficult, with some beautiful views
the trail is not always easy to follow
there are often several possible paths that intersect or lead off in other directions.
The GPS has difficulty, which makes it a little hard to find your bearings in relation to the trail.
from point 8, the trail is marked closed due to the risk of rockfalls, so I returned by the road
thanks for the trail

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GAIGNAIRE
GAIGNAIRE

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 09, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely walk with beautiful views, but the description is too vague and not detailed enough. You always end up finding your way, but if you want to follow the route precisely, it's not easy. A GPS is very useful.

At the end of the walk at point 6, be careful not to follow the GR trail that goes up to the right, but stay on the yellow trail lower down to get the best views.

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idunane
idunane

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 07, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike with varied landscapes and magnificent views.

I found the description a little brief as there are very few or no signposts and at point 5, we strayed from the route and had difficulty finding the right path to get back to the GR 653A. The rest of the walk was straightforward.

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Manoine
Manoine

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

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

A very pleasant walk. However, be careful as it is easy to stray from the route; there are many side paths that can cause confusion. The IGN app was very useful in helping us get back on track from time to time.

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Mhutes
Mhutes

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 26, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

An unforgettable hike, in incredible mild weather... discoveries at every turn... wonderful! Thank you so much for this timeless moment, I loved it 💖
Here's my YouTube link for anyone who would like to relive the experience or get an idea of this magical tour... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFif5F6T...

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