Rocher des Deux Trous, Mont Gaussier and Lac du Peirou via the ladders

Pleasant walk in the Alpilles with magnificent panoramic views in places

Technical sheet

1114892
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.31 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 401 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 399 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 348 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 98 m

Photos

Description of the walk

(S/E) Start from the old priory car park. Drive along the priory grounds, take the left-hand bend and continue straight ahead (Voie Communale des Carrières) until you reach the T-junction (red gate in front of you).

(1) At the T-junction, turn right and continue straight on past Mas de la Grosse Galine and Mas Séraillet. At this point, the path is blocked by a cable. Continue straight ahead along the dented path and then a more manageable path along the Gaudre de Valrugue to the tarmac road.

(2) Take the tarmac road to the right for about 150m, then turn right at the hairpin bend, signposted "Rocher des Deux Trous" (yellow sign at this point). Continue straight on until you reach the Rocher des Deux Trous.

(3) On leaving the Rocher des Deux Trous, retrace your steps for 50m, ignoring the left-hand path you came by and taking the right-hand one. At the end of this fairly steep climb, you will be rewarded with a magnificent panoramic view over the road.

(4) Go a few metres to the right on the road, leaving the Sentier de Découverte (Discovery Trail) which dips to the right, and continue as far as the bend in the road.
Take the right-hand path back down and continue straight ahead through the heath towards Mont Gaussier.

(5) Take the metal ladder and continue climbing. Follow the blue and yellow markings to reach the D5.

(6) Carefully cross the D5 and take the path that runs alongside it on the right (blocked by a cable). Continue straight on to Lac des Peirou, leaving the paths on your left.

(7) Walk along the right-hand side of the lake to the end, then take the path cut into the rock that rises to the right. You will then come to a passageway with a succession of staircases cut into the rock, secured by chains, and metal bars set into the rock.

(8) After passing through a hole in the rock, take the path down to join the D5. Walk along the side of the road until you reach the first pedestrian crossing. Cross the road, then the park in front of you to reach the road and the car park on the left(S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 100 m - Old priory car park
  2. 1 : km 1.19 - alt. 107 m - T-intersection on the right
  3. 2 : km 3.64 - alt. 289 m - Tarmac road on the right
  4. 3 : km 4.42 - alt. 303 m - Rocher des Deux Trous (Saint-Rémy-de-Provence)
  5. 4 : km 4.96 - alt. 280 m - Tarmac track
  6. 5 : km 5.63 - alt. 270 m - Scale - Mont Gaussier / Sentier des échelles
  7. 6 : km 6.22 - alt. 137 m - Crossing the D5
  8. 7 : km 6.97 - alt. 131 m - Lac de Peïrou (Saint-Rémy-de-Provence)
  9. 8 : km 7.29 - alt. 190 m - Passage through the rock
  10. S/E : km 8.31 - alt. 100 m - Old priory car park

Practical information

Warning: some sections are equipped with ladders, rungs and cables. There aren't really any great heights, but people who are very prone to vertigo may find it difficult.

In the nearby area

(3) Rocher des Deux Trous
Ascent of Mont Gaussier "Échelle métallique
Lake Peirou

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 121 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.2 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.3 / 5
Route interest
4.9 / 5
le islois
le islois

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 04, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Very beautiful hike, but some sections are very physically demanding, especially the climb up Mont Gaussier and the climb down to Lac du Peirou via the ladders. You will need a GPS device to follow the route, but it is a hike with magnificent views.

Automatically translated

dame2médous
dame2médous

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : May 26, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Probably not in great shape that day, we hesitated a lot before finding the proposed start. We thought we'd missed it, but managed to find the start of the trail.
This is an unusual hike that requires sure-footedness and concentration, but it's well worth the effort.
Not recommended for people with vertigo.

Automatically translated

Ana.mgga
Ana.mgga

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 04, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

Great hike! But I wouldn't recommend it to people who suffer from acrophobia (vertigo) - I was quite surprised.
There are quite a few passages where you have to climb...
But it's worth it, after more than 5km there's a superb view waiting for you!
An average or even slightly intense hike, in terms of difficulty.

Automatically translated

chesnut2
chesnut2

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Mar 30, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Very nice walk! I did it in the direction indicated, which was fortunate because I had to do 2 "dog carries" (stairs and cave) that would have been downright perilous in the opposite direction (although my dog is very agile).
It was done during the week, so not many people on this particular route, but it must be very busy otherwise. The remarkable points (2 boulders, lake...) are accessible via other, easier routes, so there are more people on site, but they are no less magnificent.
There was no problem parking, the route was followed via GPS but the descriptions were accurate.

Automatically translated

brice3
brice3

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Mar 16, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

parish specific to Brittany, a parish specific to Brittany, a parish specific to Brittany, a parish specific to Brittany, a parish specific to Brittany, a parish specific to Brittany, a parish specific to Brittany, a parish specific to Brittany, a parish specific to Brittany, a parish specific to Brittany, a parish specific to Brittany.

Automatically translated

LaurentC63
LaurentC63
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Feb 26, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Magnificent panoramic views (not recommended for young children or people with vertigo on the Mont Gaussier section, although the passages are well secured). There is no parking at the starting point, but the GR6 makes it easy to reach the route described from the car park at the St Rémy arenas (allow an extra 1.5 km). This route should be avoided in wet weather, as some sections may be slippery.

Automatically translated

Emmanuelle01
Emmanuelle01
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Feb 14, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

A magnificent hike with 350-degree views! The climb up to the two-hole rock is well used, but less so afterwards.
No particular difficulty in following the path, by following the GPS position and the route of the hike.

Automatically translated

Diddan
Diddan

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of walk : Jan 21, 2025
Reliability of the description : N/A
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Followed the route via the GPX track. A very nice walk with some steep climbs and a very steep descent. The difficult or dangerous sections are well secured with steps and handrails. Not to be done in wet weather or after rain. 5/5

Automatically translated

nicolasvilain
nicolasvilain

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of walk : Jan 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

At Visorandon you often need to know the area before visiting.
Everything is succinctly detailed and it's easy to get lost.

Automatically translated

Depalmas
Depalmas

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Dec 01, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Not frequented at the time I did it!

Automatically translated

Cocolamotarde
Cocolamotarde

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Nov 16, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

A hike that's well worth the diversions, with some unusual sections, a physical workout and some surprising views. C is indeed a little busy if the weather is good but it's really worth the diversions do not forget to go to the lake that it's nice to eat at the water's edge the sun reflecting on this beautiful lake frankly no regret to repeat because there are plenty of other routes that the one indicated in this hike I really recommend.

Automatically translated

Cath Amlt
Cath Amlt
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Nov 10, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A very pretty walk, the blue markings for the ladders have recently been redone. Please note that the route runs in the opposite direction to the ladder signs, which can be a nuisance in high season.
This is an accessible route, but you need good shoes and are not afraid of heights.
We followed the GPX trail and not the explanations.

Automatically translated

vero4030
vero4030
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Nov 09, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Nice, interesting walk (landscape, relief, natural curiosities, amusing sections). Although we had the app, we deviated a little from the route and used a rather slippery passage to head back down to the road before heading towards the lake. The cliffs must confuse the GPS a bit. A peaceful picnic by the lake.

Automatically translated

pages philippe
pages philippe

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Nov 01, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

The route is used a lot by troncons and not in its entirety.
The blue and yellow markings are not visible on the ground (descent of Mont Gaussier). This makes it difficult to follow with the map and comments.
Difficulties encountered with parking (few spaces available).

Very nice walk with varied landscapes.

Automatically translated

Jean-Luc H
Jean-Luc H
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 29, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

We didn't see a sign for the rocher des deux trous, so we took the path indicated for the return journey. When we came out of the Mont Goussier ladders, we couldn't find the passage, no markings, just a vague trace on the right, but very narrow and exposed. We turned back to rejoin the GR at the parking area and descend to the lake.

Automatically translated

Other walks in the area

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of the author. Do not copy them without permission.