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To reach the starting point from the old village of Saint-Mathieu, follow the Cami de Lou Castellas. At the end of this small road, just before a gate, turn right onto the track. The car park is 100 metres further on.
(S/E) Take the red and white marked track that climbs south-west, this is theGR®60.
(1) At the top of the short straight road, turn right just before the reservoirs, following the recently cleared plot of land.
Continue along the yellow trail, take a sharp left turn and then make a long right turn heading northwest. You will then have a magnificent view of the Château de Montferrand.
At the end of this straight road, the path turns right and then makes another sharp left turn.
(2) Just after this bend, a path marked by an old cairn climbs up to the right. Follow it to climb up to the castle. This path is dotted with red markers. After passing through some steep undergrowth, you will reach the foot of the castle after a few minutes. Go through the first archway to reach a flat area offering a beautiful view of the Mediterranean Sea to the south and Pic-Saint-Loup to the west.
Please note that signs indicate that entry to the castle site is prohibited due to the risk of falling rocks.
(3) From this flat area, descend to your left, follow the retaining wall to reach a path leading away from the site in a west-south-west direction.
At the end of a long straight stretch, follow this marked trail, turning left and then, a few metres further on, right to rejoin theGR®.
(4) Keep right on theGR® on a slight incline through the woods. Pass right by a small cave and shortly after, when the trail begins to climb, you will reach an intersection.
(5) Continue left on theGR® to begin the first part of the climb to Pic-Saint-Loup. A few steep sections will take you fairly quickly to the Croisette crossroads.
(6) You are now just a few metres from the summit (as the crow flies). However, you still have to climb another hundred metres or so. Take the (very busy) track on the right and allow 15 to 20 minutes for the climb (without traffic).
The climb is steep but not as difficult as the signs might suggest.
(7) At the summit, behind the chapel where a plaque explains the origin of the name "Pic-Saint-Loup", enjoy a superb view of the Hortus, the Cévennes, the Ventoux and, in the distance, the Alps.
Don't forget to climb up to the foot of the cross to see the Camargue, the Mediterranean and the Pyrenees.
To return, follow the same route as on the way up until you reach the GR® crossroads.
(4). Continue straight ahead on theGR® to reach the first crossroads you passed on the way up.
(2) Then follow the same route as on the way up to the car park (E).
A very pleasant and beautiful hike with easily passable paths, scenic views and shaded sections. The route is a little less frequented than the climb up Pic St Loup from Cazevieille. You can return to Cazevieille by continuing along the path after the summit of the Pic.
Visorando member
Difficult 
Easy 
Association / Club / Walk leader
Very difficult 
