A physical loop hike along Sainte-Victoire, a climb to Prieuré Sainte-Victoire / Croix de Provence through Bau Cézanne and going back through "le Gouffre de Garagaï" and "les deux Aiguilles".
(S/F) Start from Pont de l'Anchois car park and take the forest trail that goes east.
You'll come across Red waymarks, follow them up a smooth slope towards Refuge Cézanne.
(1) A few dozen metres after the shelter, you'll come across the GR9 (Red and White waymarks). Follow them to the right over roughly 100 metres.
Yellow Waymarks
(2) A Yellow waymarked path heads off to the left, take it, rapidly tackling Saint Victoire foothills.
(3) 'Pas de la Savonnette', is a vertical slab of roughly 10 metres that you'll need to climb with arm strength and a chain. You can go around this slab via a Yellow dotted waymarked path.
The trail becomes more and more mineral and at times quite steep, bordering rock climbing. A good deal of areas demand the use of your hands.
Red and White Waymarks
(4) Reaching the ridge marks the end of the Yellow waymarks. Regain the GR9 which goes along the ridge a few dozen metres below and head right.
Go past Prieuré Sainte-Victoire on the left and follow the GR towards the cross. Leave the Red point waymarked path head up to the Croix de Provence to the right and continue on the GR.
No waymarks
Leave the GR to follow the ridge for a hundred odd metres, you'll arrive above the Gouffre de Garagaï.
Green and Black Waymarks
(5) Head down the abyss, be careful the rock is quite slippery, and follow the trail that goes across large slabs.
Black Waymarks
(6) Let the Green waymarked trail head off to the right and continue to follow the black waymarks. The waymarks can be faint at times but the path is quite obvious. Towards the end, the vegetation increaces in density and you'll come across a Brown waymarked trail.
Brown Waymarks
(7) Head to the right and follow the Brown waymarks along the foot of the cliffs. A sign indicates the way to the Oppidum Untinos, keep to the brown trail.
No Waymarks
Let the Brown trail head off to the right and take the trail to the left, this trail will meet up with the trail taken at the beginning.
Red Waymarks
Follow the Red waymarked trail going left and head down towards the car park (S/F).
Waypoints :
D/A : km 0 - alt. 310m
1 : km 1.08 - alt. 440m - Refuge de Cézanne - Refuge Cézanne
2 : km 1.16 - alt. 452m - Pas de la Savonnette
3 : km 1.64 - alt. 617m - Pas de la savonnette
4 : km 2.26 - alt. 839m - End of the yellow waymarks, the GR junction
5 : km 2.44 - alt. 868m - Prieuré de la Sainte-Victoire
6 : km 2.8 - alt. 892m - Gouffre de Garagaï
7 : km 3.08 - alt. 765m - Follow the Black waymarks
8 : km 4.2 - alt. 505m - Brown waymarks
D/A : km 7.04 - alt. 310m
A very difficult hike, with aerial passages and other areas demanding a minimum climbing skills.
Only for trained hikers.
N.B: access to the mountain range can be regulated from June 1st through to September 30th. More info: http://www.bouches-du-rhone.gouv.fr/Actu...
Visorando and this author cannot be held responsible in the case of accidents or problems occuring on this walk.
A loop hike on the south side of Sainte-Victoire Montagne allowing access to the ridge via the Marbrière and the Brèche du Clapier (gap). The walk along the ridge towards the Croix de Provence offers splendid views. Descent via the Priory, the Pas du Berger and the Cézanne Shelter.
A beautiful hike up one of the highest mountains in the Provence: the magnificent Sainte-Victoire. Enjoy 360° views as far as the Alps and the Ventoux. The Priory alone is well worth the effort.
Sainte-Victoire is a highlight of Provence for hikers and climbers.
Before you start, make sure access to the massif is allowed because a regulation is applicable from 1 June to 30 September which and can limit access hours. See the link below:
http://www.paca.gouv.fr/files/massif/
A lovely walk which includes a chance to see Cézanne’s Windmill, to discover the ancient ruins of the Roman aqueduct and its waterfall and the Zola dam. In the distance you can see Mont Sainte-Victoire.
An energetic loop in Sainte-Victoire leaving from the Saint-Ser car park. The climb up goes via the east of the Bau de l'Aigle and the descent back down is via the 'Pas du Clapier'.
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The GPS track and description are the property of the author.