Les Gillouses, at the foot of the Défens d'Eyguières

A short but fairly challenging hike at the foot of the Défens d'Eyguières.

Details

558462
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 3.41 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 20 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 129 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 129 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 237 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 108 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park next to the Fontaine Gilouse fountain in Eyguières.

(S/E) Take the path that climbs opposite the Fontaine Gilouse (a sign indicates: "Lamanon par la crête du Défens") and follow the red and white markings (GR®).

(1) At the crossroads, continue straight ahead (theGR® turns left and descends: do not follow it). The climb is quite steep, then the path more or less follows a contour line with a number of bends. As it does not cross any other paths, there is no chance of going wrong.

(2) The path you have taken joins theGR®, and you will see a red and white mark at the intersection. Turn left and follow it downhill.
Be careful not to take the wrong path a hundred metres further on: the wide path that climbs to the left is not theGR® (marked by a red and white cross). Take the narrower path that goes almost straight down (red and white markings). During the descent, you can see the ruins of Castellas de Roquemartine.

(3) You will come to a junction of marked paths, indicated by several signposts. Turn left (follow the direction "Eyguières - 0h35 - 2.4 km"). A few dozen metres further on, the path crosses a perpendicular, better-marked path: cross it and continue, following the contour line approximately.

(4) The path descends into a hollow and crosses another path that follows the hollow. A barrier prevents vehicles from using the path you have just followed, and another barrier opposite does the same for another path. Follow it. After a short climb, you will find the path you took on the way there.

(1) Follow it to the right downhill and return to the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 108 m - Gilouse Fountain
  2. 1 : km 0.4 - alt. 152 m - Three-way junction, straight ahead
  3. 2 : km 1.8 - alt. 199 m - T-junction with GR, on the left
  4. 3 : km 2.26 - alt. 173 m - Crossroads with signposts, on the left
  5. 4 : km 2.75 - alt. 142 m - Cross the valley, opposite
  6. S/E : km 3.41 - alt. 108 m - Gilouse Fountain

Notes

Wear sturdy shoes as the climb is rocky, and bring water and a sun hat.

According to the Bouches-du-Rhône fire risk map, the hike is located in the Alpilles (zone 3).

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

4.3 / 5
Based on 8 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.4 / 5
Route interest
3.9 / 5
Zouzou13
Zouzou13

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

A very pleasant, peaceful walk. The route is easy to follow and the explanations are very clear
completed in 1 hour
thank you for sharing!

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User 17255162

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

Very beautiful hike.
Be aware that there is a significant climb to reach the top, but the view is simply magnificent.

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Jérôme.C
Jérôme.C

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 09, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

Ideal for a family outing, but it's a shame there aren't many interesting viewpoints.

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carrie
carrie

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

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

A leisurely 1-hour walk. Not much to see, hence my rating (but I expected that).

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antoine1313
antoine1313

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 30, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A lovely short walk for the whole family

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jean Luc bernat
jean Luc bernat

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

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

Pleasant

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Super Ségolène
Super Ségolène

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 08, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Beautiful panoramic views, a lovely sunny day. We extended the route to include the Calès caves. (Approximately 14 km)

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ccbadaire
ccbadaire

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 19, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

short walk ideal with children

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