Sainte-Baume

Walk along the Sainte-Baume ridge after visiting the Marie-Madeleine cave.

Details

59401
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 13.30 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 15 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 522 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 521 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,148 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 669 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Information following decrees (see practical information) prohibiting passage between points (5) and (6).
The descent from the Pas de l'Aï cannot be made as described. It is possible to pass through the Bau de Saint-Cassien by turning right instead of left just after the (5). This makes the route a little longer, but the passage through the Paradis sector is very pretty.

- Starting point: car park at the Sainte-Baume hotel.

(S/E) Take the path heading south, next to the hotel, alongside a field towards the forest.
Once in the forest, turn right and follow the "chemin du canapé" (sofa path) leading under the convent.

(1) Once you reach the Chemin des Roys (at the stele), turn right to go back up towards the convent and the cave.
Enjoy your visit!

(2) On your way back, go down the Chemin des Roys to the oratory.

(1) Take a path on the right to the Col du Saint-Pilon.

(3) Once on the ridge, turn left and follow the path to the Jouc de l'Aigle.

(4) Continue to Pas de Villecroze.

(5) Take the path on the left, following the ridge until you see the yellow mark indicating the Pas de l'Aï.

(6) The path is a little hidden, so be careful not to miss it.
Once you are on the Pas de l'Aï, follow this path which winds downhill to a large dead tree.

(7) Take the path that branches off to the left and follow it under the ridge for about 4 km.

(8) An alternative route is possible via the Sentier Merveilleux (see section below "Nearby").
From there, there are several paths to choose from. Take the main one for 150 m, then turn left. Continue to the car park at the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 670 m - Parking at the Sainte-Baume hotel.
  2. 1 : km 1.68 - alt. 835 m - Chemin des Roys
  3. 2 : km 1.88 - alt. 862 m - Grotte Sainte-Marie Magdeleine
  4. 3 : km 2.73 - alt. 952 m - Col du Saint Pilon (934m)
  5. 4 : km 4.37 - alt. 1,119 m - Jouc de l'Aigle (1148m)
  6. 5 : km 7.12 - alt. 1,051 m - Pas de Villecroze (1050m)
  7. 6 : km 7.3 - alt. 1,036 m - Pas de l'Aï (1022m)
  8. 7 : km 8.13 - alt. 908 m - Path on the left
  9. 8 : km 8.65 - alt. 874 m - Sentier Merveilleux
  10. S/E : km 13.3 - alt. 670 m - Parking at the Sainte-Baume hotel.

Notes

- Depending on the season, protect yourself from the sun and bring water.
- Also depending on the season, remember to check access permits for the mountains (fire risk).
- It can also be windy on the ridge.

Worth a visit

- The Marie-Madeleine cave.
- The springs of the Huveaune.
- Refreshments are available at the hotel.

- There are several options for the return journey after the Pas de l'Aï:
The most challenging: about 300 m after the Pas de l'Aï, at thefirst real hairpin bend in the trail. A path begins with a visible yellow cross and an inscription on a large rock: Sentier Marcel Estruch.
This path leads back to the trail leading to the Col du Saint-Pilon (2 or 3 bends before the pass).
Caution: This is a challenging trail with ledges and chain passages and should therefore be avoided in case of rain or strong winds. Follow the yellow markings carefully. Do not hesitate to retrace your steps if you have not seen any markings for a while.

(8) The Merveilleux trail: about 500 m after the large dead tree (allow about 10 minutes), look for a yellow marker. It is on the right on the ground on a stone and on the left on a small tree at eye level. The Merveilleux trail starts at the tree. Follow the yellow markings (sometimes red) to return to the 3 chênes car park. This trail is more pleasant than the forest track and will add a little to your walk, but it is less monotonous. Consider this option depending on the condition of your group.

Alternative route between points (6) and (7) for the descent from Pas de l'Aï. You can go via Bau de Saint-Cassien by turning right instead of left just after (6). This adds a little to the walk, but the section through Paradis is very pretty.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 136 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
thober13
thober13

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 08, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A superb walk, despite the gloomy and windy weather, punctuated by an unexpected mass in the cave of St Mary Magdalene (for those interested, mass is held every Sunday at 11am).
Unfortunately, the view was obscured by thick fog, but I still enjoyed the upper part of Sainte-Baume and the return trip along the wonderful path beneath the trees.
With a clear view, it must be sublime...
Thank you for the itinerary and finally, sections 5-6, which were supposed to be closed, were apparently not, as there were no signs???

Machine-translated

Randonneur de l’ain
Randonneur de l’ain

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 05, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent day for hiking at the end of 2025. The sun was shining. The ground was frozen in places. It was fairly easy going up to the cave and quite busy, of course, but then it became more challenging, as we expected. It was only when we reached the pass that the view really opened up.
There was a moment of hesitation at the pass, but once we found our bearings and the trail, there was no problem. And there were breathtaking views all along this magnificent ridge, with a 360-degree view from the highest point at 1,148 metres that we never tired of. And the rest was just as beautiful. When we reached Pas de l'Ai, we decided to continue on to Bau de Saint Cassien, an option suggested by Cyril. and there we encountered a small difficulty that could prove insurmountable for some people. My wife, who is not very experienced in this kind of exercise, managed it but not without fear (very steep slabs with very few handholds over a distance of about fifteen metres, forcing you to descend first with your back to the void and then ending up on your backside). But once we had crossed, what a pleasure it was to find ourselves in this little paradise, which would surely have been impassable in wet weather without special equipment. Then we began the descent, our heads full of images, and chose to follow the wonderful path (which you have to take further down, just before a bend, but which is not easy to find). This little detour added to the sporting spirit of the hike.
This was a beautiful hike and a beautiful day that we were able to enjoy this year, because in 2024 at the same time of year, bad weather (fog, rain and wind) had forced us to give up.
I recommend this hike, but make sure you have good shoes and are in good physical shape.
Thank you, Cyril.

Machine-translated

leauviv
leauviv

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

A very beautiful walk along the coastal path

Machine-translated

User 6908942

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 06, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful hike with magnificent views, on the GR9 at Pas de l'Aï. Look out for the cairn, which is not very visible, to take the path that is circular and leads to the wonderful trail. Thankfully, the GPS with Visorando is there to help.

Machine-translated

carrias
carrias

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

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

Beware of the mistral wind. During our hike, strong gusts at the summit prevented us from following the route on the plateau. We had to turn back to find the markings because we had cut them off with our heads down 🤣

Machine-translated

User 25347671

Overall rating : 4 / 5

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

To be done in autumn or spring, avoiding strong sunlight.

Machine-translated

NITRITE
NITRITE

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

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

Less frequented route after the cave. At the end, to avoid the main track, take the path indicated on the map with a yellow circle marked "chemin merveilleux" (wonderful path).

Machine-translated

Fred83110
Fred83110

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 06, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

This is another lovely route, starting with the magnificent Marie Madeleine grotto and then the Sainte Baume ridge with its magnificent panorama... The return journey is through the forest, which is also very pleasant...

Machine-translated

/adjedj
/adjedj

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 26, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very nice walk.... very busy up to the grotto (place of meditation and pilgrimage).
When we reached the ridge, we made a short round trip (about 3 km) to the chapel.... magnificent panoramic viewpoint.
We then took the route again, surrounded by flowers and breathtaking views.
Be careful, however, as the path (unmarked but well-marked) runs a little below the GPS track that follows the cliff up close....
After the pas de l'Ai, the return along the track is a little tedious....

Machine-translated

TonyAnna83
TonyAnna83

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 26, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A wonderful walk ... with a beautiful 360-degree view between the sea and the mountains. A very well-marked route, accessible even to beginners. A leisurely 3.5 hour walk.

Machine-translated

LesDeuxLoulous
LesDeuxLoulous

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 30, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very nice hike on the pic de bertagne, giving you a great view of the bouches du rhone and the var and even further afield. 1st part in the forest to the north, leading to the grotte de marie madeleine, 2nd part on the ridge (avoid on a windy day), 3rd part back in the forest. No major difficulties. Can be done with 2 dogs weighing 10 and 20kg with no problem.

Machine-translated

Daniel Sauvan-Magnet
Daniel Sauvan-Magnet

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

Very nice walk despite a strong southerly wind on the ridge, the descent via the pas de l'Aï is a little technical but doable and not dangerous, and not forbidden, yes the end is a little long.

Machine-translated

Olivier B
Olivier B

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

A very beautiful walk.
The whole section on the ridge gives a superb view from the Sainte Victoire in the north to the sea in the south.
The return was more monotonous after the splendid passage through the chaos of the Pas de l'Ail. But it was a lovely walk in the forest, which gave me the chance to come across some roe deer. And in summer, it should allow you to finish in the shade, which can be appreciated when the weather is very hot.

Machine-translated

anne claire 30
anne claire 30

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 10, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike with superb views from the ridge. Don't miss the descent to the Pas de l'Aï! We did the hike in November on a beautiful day, when there weren't many people around. The return journey is indeed more monotonous, but with beautiful autumn colours.

Machine-translated

Yayadesbois
Yayadesbois

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 18, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

This hike took place on a Saturday in November.
The weather was cloudy, with mist hanging over the Jouc de l'Aigle. The atmosphere was mystical and autumnal.
Red leaves covered the ground and the church bells accompanied the birdsong.
A wonderful physical and sensory experience. The level is really affordable.
I'd definitely recommend it.

Machine-translated

Other walks in the area

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.