Notre-Dame du Château and Cabane du Garde in Saint-Étienne-du-Grès

A pleasant walk in the Alpilles starting from Saint-Étienne-du-Grès, taking in the Chapel of Notre-Dame du Château.

Details

3076931
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.81 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 178 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 174 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 148 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 9 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the car park between the D99 and Avenue de la République.

(S/E) Reach Avenue de la République, cross at the pedestrian crossing, then first turn left then right onto Avenue des Arènes. Turn left onto Avenue de Mireille, then after 100 m, turn right onto Avenue des Pins and continue for about 60 metres.

Turn right onto Avenue des Genêts, which curves to the left further on.

(2) Turn right onto Chemin de Montplaisir and continue for about 120 metres until you reach the junction with Avenue des Alpilles. Turn left and continue along this road until you reach Mas de Pommet.

(3) Keep left after the building and continue to a fork (elevation 70).

(4) Take the left-hand path that runs alongside the stream called La Gaudre des Traversières to reach the Cabane du Garde on the left. After a circular section, when you reach another fork, take the path on the left.

(5) Turn left to shorten the route and you will immediately come to a crossroads where you should follow the path opposite. Continue straight ahead on this path. Ignore two paths on the right and you will come to a junction with a wider path (DFCI track).

(6) Turn right and continue along this path until you reach a Y-junction shortly after a vineyard on your right. Keep left and you will reach the Chapel of Notre-Dame du Château.

(7) Leave the chapel and, going downhill, take the first path on the left in the bend. When you reach an intersection, go straight ahead, cross the Alpines canal and you will come to a small road, the Chemin Romain d'Arles à Saint-Rémy.

(8) Turn left and, at the nearby intersection, continue straight ahead on the same path. Pass close to the Maison du Parc on your right and continue straight ahead, passing in front of the town hall to reach the car park where you started (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 10 m - Avenue de la République car park
  2. 1 : km 0.46 - alt. 21 m - Avenue des Genêts - Canal septentrional des Alpines
  3. 2 : km 0.87 - alt. 25 m - Chemin de Montplaisir
  4. 3 : km 1.99 - alt. 58 m - Mas de Pommet
  5. 4 : km 2.62 - alt. 70 m - Cote 70, on the left
  6. 5 : km 3.95 - alt. 142 m - Guard's hut
  7. 6 : km 4.79 - alt. 105 m - DFCI trail junction
  8. 7 : km 6.54 - alt. 101 m - Chapelle de Notre-Dame du Château (Saint-Étienne-du-Grès)
  9. 8 : km 7.05 - alt. 20 m - Roman road from Arles to Saint-Rémy
  10. S/E : km 7.81 - alt. 10 m - Avenue de la République car park

Worth a visit

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 20 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.4 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.4 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
User 19923633

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 12, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk without a phone; just what I like

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Isabelle84
Isabelle84

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 08, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A viewpoint was built and inaugurated at the end of November 2025 right next to Notre Dame du Château. It would be good to mention it and indicate the way there. I did the short circular of about 8 km. After rain, the ground can be muddy and slippery.

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User 532626

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 28, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk at the end of October. We loved the site of the gamekeeper's lodge and the magnificent trees surrounding it.

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User 532626

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 28, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

She went hiking at the end of October. We loved the site of the ranger's hut and the magnificent trees surrounding it.

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Michèle d'istres
Michèle d'istres

It's a very beautiful walk. It would be great if they renovated the chapel.
However, I must warn you that the Alpilles mountains are currently closed (mistral fire). This is for everyone's safety. Thank you.

https://www.risque-prevention-incendie.f...

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Elmo Lélou
Elmo Lélou

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 29, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely short hike in the Alpilles countryside. The Notre-Dame du Château chapel is currently closed due to rockfalls. The local council is planning to renovate it. However, the walk is still very pleasant, mostly in the shade, and the scenery is varied. Thank you :-)

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PIERRE MONNIER
PIERRE MONNIER

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 22, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely little walk in the Alpilles on a warm, sunny morning. After point 4, we decided to extend the walk by making a nice loop that took us back to point 5. The total distance was 12.9 km with an elevation gain of 294 metres, which we completed in less than 4 hours (without pushing ourselves). The shaded sections were very welcome.
PP and MM

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Michèle d'istres
Michèle d'istres

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 29, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant stroll through the woods is welcome in this late October heat. At the gamekeeper's lodge, don't forget to visit the arboretum to find a spot for your picnic in the sun or shade. The facilities are perfect.
The GPS was very helpful in finding the right path. There is just one slightly tricky little descent after visiting Notre Dame du Château at the end of the route. Perhaps it would be better to do it in reverse? That way, you arrive just in time for a picnic at the guard's hut.

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gresouillais44
gresouillais44

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 05, 2024
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

the route was done in the opposite direction
very beautiful route

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LIONEL13118
LIONEL13118

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 27, 2024
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Sincere thanks for sharing, it was lovely and we had a great half-day.

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Romain30
Romain30

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 28, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

The route is nice, although there is a large section of tarmac (but this allows you to admire the beautiful houses in this village)
Otherwise, the rest is on forest fire roads.
It's a shame to pass by nice places without them being mentioned on the route map.
- Before arriving at the cabin, the arboretum path is nice
- before arriving at the chapel, you can take a look at the troglodyte dwellings
- after seeing the chapel, climb up to the rock behind it to reach a viewpoint with an orientation table

Alternatively, after point 5, if you are looking for a little light and sunshine (during the cooler months), you can follow the path parallel to the ridge.

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sergedalichoux13@gmail
sergedalichoux13@gmail

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 18, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely afternoon walk with the family.

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martine charriere
martine charriere

Overall rating : 2.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 14, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Firstly, there is no need to park in the village and walk through the streets, as there is a car park at the start of the hike.
From point 4: after the guard's hut, we turned left at the fork as indicated, but then nothing matched up and we never reached Notre Dame du Château.
Perhaps we should have taken the path on the right at the fork?

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Claude R
Claude R

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 07, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

On part 7 of the route: "(7) Leave the chapel and, on the way down, take the first path
on the left at the bend." It should be noted that the path descends quite steeply and is very stony.
Apart from this, the path is pleasant, and the picnic area at the guard's hut came at just the right moment. Pretty landscapes and some beautiful panoramic views. Be sure to visit the troglodyte cave, which is interesting and not mentioned in the description.
Thank you for this route.

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Papa krum
Papa krum

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

I think this hike should be avoided during hunting season. That wasn't the case, so it was really enjoyable. Beautiful chapel with great views. The small cliffs near the chapel are worth seeing, but don't venture there with children or if you're afraid of heights. Picnic area near the guard's hut. Thank you for this route.

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