Sainte-Victoire mountain through the Clapier gap

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.

Technical sheet

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.73 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 720 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 715 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 984 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 439 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Starting from the Deux Aiguilles car park, 500 metres east of the Maison de la Sainte-Victoire, near Saint-Antonin-sur-Bayon.

(S) From the car park, cross the road towards Saint-Victoire Montagne. The waymarks can be found on a rock.
Head towards the Refuge Baudino - Chapelle Saint-Ser following black waymarks (the Garagaï route, which is fairly difficult) on the right-hand side. Ignore the next three tracks to the left. The waymarks then veer left and head north-east, straight towards the cliff. After 150m, continue uphill following a track coming in from the right.

(1) At an intersection, ignore the tracks to the left and straight ahead to turn right following the brown waymarks. The path leads down into a little valley and up the other side. On the way up, a cairn marks the start of a narrow path to the right leading to a cave, from which you return by the same route. Continue on the main path, which goes uphill and flattens out several times until it reaches a junction.
Follow the trail, which bears left, still following the brown markings. After a few metres heading due north, the path bears left (west), then turns sharply back to the right towards the old marble quarry (the Marbrière). Just before the quarry, a cairn marks a path on the left which passes above it. The path levels out, continues, crosses a small rocky spur facing north (the Pas du Clapier) and arrives at a large cairn on another level section.

(2) Take the path to the left following green waymarks which leads steeply up towards the rock face. There are many scrambling sections on the way up, but they are never too dangerous or too airy. A final oblique fault gives access to the ridge.

(3) After admiring the view, continue to the left on the long-distance path GR9 (red and white waymarks). The GR marking occasionally runs at some distance from the ridgeline. Feel free to leave it and walk a bit to the left to take full advantage of the view, but be very careful. Go past the Signal (969m) and continue. Follow a route marked with red and white dots leading up left to the Croix de Provence (4). Go down to the right of the hut to return to the GR, which heads left to pass above the Sainte-Victoire Priory (5).

A quick look round the site, then resume the descent to the left on the GR. At a fork about 200m further down, leave the GR when it heads right and continue straight down following the blue waymarks (Bimont). These follow a stony path and approach the ridgeline. After crossing a wall, turn left off the path and head for a large cairn.

(6) Continue down to the left following the red waymarks. Negotiate a little drop (the Pas du Berger) then continue to a rock which indicates the point at which a route marked with red dots comes in from the right.
Continue down to the left, reaching an intersection 600m below, just beside the Cézanne Shelter.

(7) Turn left towards the Oppidum Untinos and the Maison de la Sainte-Victoire. A few metres further on, take the opportunity to visit the Cézanne Shelter (8). Continue on the track with brown waymarks, coinciding with the GR653A as far as the Oppidum. 300m after the shelter, bear left following the waymarks.
After about 500m, ignore the green waymarks indicating the Forcioli route on the left and, after a short but steep climb, the Oratoire de l'Amitié shrine is worth a quick look.
Continue about 300m to an intersection.

(9) Head right towards the Oppidum and the Deux Aiguilles car park, leaving the brown waymarks for yellow.
At a fork, ignore the path to the left and continue straight on following the yellow waymarks towards the Oppidum. The path passes round the ruin, skirts the top of the bluff and passes beneath a rocky outcrop. When it returns to the yellow waymarks from which it had previously departed, continue to the right to complete the descent to the car park.

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 439 m - 2 Aiguilles car park
  2. 1 : km 0.61 - alt. 492 m - To the right of the brown markers
  3. 2 : km 2.46 - alt. 763 m - Left on the green signpost
  4. 3 : km 2.85 - alt. 984 m - Left on the GR9
  5. 4 : km 4.79 - alt. 944 m - Croix de Provence
  6. 5 : km 5.05 - alt. 889 m - Prieuré de la Sainte-Victoire
  7. 6 : km 5.66 - alt. 764 m - To the left of the red markers
  8. 7 : km 6.76 - alt. 444 m - To the left of the brown markers
  9. 8 : km 6.95 - alt. 458 m - Refuge Cézanne
  10. 9 : km 8.3 - alt. 582 m - To the right of the yellow markers
  11. S/E : km 9.73 - alt. 439 m - 2 Aiguilles car park

Practical information

Some steep sections on the green route on the way up and a steep drop on the way down on the red route (Pas du Berger) make this a circuit for an informed public. As a precaution, children should be secured with a rope.

• Non-drinkable water and dry toilets are available at the Priory.

N.B.: The route indicated differs from that shown on the IGN map after the Marbrière, but accurately matches the situation on the ground.

In the nearby area

The Oppidum Untino stands proud above the village of Saint-Antonin-sur-Bayon. Excavations yielded limited Celto-Ligurian findings indicating that the site was occupied in the second century BC. The section of wall on the south edge of the plateau is the remains of a mediaeval fort.

The Marbrière: For many years, a marble quarry was operated half-way up the hill on the south side of the Montagne Sainte-Victoire.
Various floors where the quarrymen used to work still exist on site. Huge blocks were detached from the face by sawing.
The 1933 Bouches du Rhône Encyclopaedia states that the workforce ranged from 15 in 1851 to 30 in 1930, less than five years before the quarry closed.
Works were carried out on the hillside:
An access track with a reinforced retaining wall to allow the blocks to be transported;
holes drilled in the rock for oaken stakes around which ropes were passed to restrain the blocks as they were moved down the hill.
The primary blocks were 9 m long by 5 m wide and were subsequently resized.
They were transported to the railway stations at Aix or Fuveau, first by horses and later by truck.

 Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 79 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.9 / 5
Nicob83
Nicob83

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 16, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Superb hike with some "rando'scalade" sections... 😅 The whole sainte Victoire massif in 1 hike, very nice viewpoints. Thank you for this itinerary.

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thomassier
thomassier

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 21, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

The time given is too short: for walkers aged 60 to 75, you'd need to allow a good 6 hours.
In addition, the green route above the pas de clapier is quite difficult for this age group. For the return, you can take the pas de l'escallette, which is less difficult than the pas du berger.
To reduce the journey time, you can head for the anchois car park on the way back, provided you have left a car so that the drivers can collect the cars from the deux aiguilles car park.

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Zicdoudou
Zicdoudou

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Mar 05, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

On a beautiful day with no wind, the Sainte Victoire still offers magnificent views. The ascent via the brèche is very beautiful, with 2 walls where you need to put your hands to climb. The holds are good and with low or trail-type shoes, it's easy to find support.
We came out on the ridge opposite Mt Ventoux, covered in snow
Then we had to follow the track to the cross and several more or less easy options to get back down.
Next time, we'll leave a car in a car park (Pont de l'Anchois) closer to the trail, as the return to the starting point is fairly long and hilly without any major interest. Prefer the step of the escalette for the descent to the step of the monk which is brittle and there is a wall which has the descent which slips.
3hrs of actual walking out of the 4:50hrs recorded, as we often stop to admire the scenery
860m of ascent, which you will feel the next day because of the descent

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Znef13
Znef13

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Nov 19, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Very little traffic on the way up. There are many people from the summit (Croix de Provence) and even more on the blue descent until the red path resumes on the left. For those who don't want to climb and are a little afraid of heights on the descent from the Pas du Berger, bring a rope. Otherwise a fairly challenging climb with magnificent views. Superb hike

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/adjedj
/adjedj

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 10, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Very nice hike. The pas du berge (point 6) was even a little dangerous (slippery and no handholds in the last part). We preferred to go back round to the pas des moines and follow the blue signs to the pas de l'Escalette, which is a little longer but much safer....

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Maudpaps
Maudpaps

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 24, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A magnificent circuit but the climb is (in our opinion) quite sporty, the pas du clapier is really rock-climbing (bordering on rock-climbing at the end) and as mentioned below, the pas du berger should be avoided as it is very smooth and slippery, you need to be with someone to point out the foot holds!
At the start, you need to pay attention and follow the signs carefully.
Otherwise, the views (360°) are magnificent, which is a great reward.

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Angie Cvll
Angie Cvll

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 22, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Magnificent hike. The climb is superb, sporty and not very busy. We even came across some mouflons! Up to La Croix it's quiet, and then ... it's China as we said below. A world ... then on the way back down, few people take the red route, so it gets quieter again.
The only real difficulty for me was the Pas du Berger. It's a place where you'd need a rope or chain and it's slippery as hell. If I hadn't had a climbing husband to help me, I wouldn't have made it. This is the only place that really worried me.
Finally, I think you need to be in good shape to do it, with good joint range. I would also advise against bringing your dog ++.

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jl1309m
jl1309m

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 09, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

The climb is very steep with occasional small stones. However, there are no vertiginous sections.
You just need to take your time. The stop at the marble factory is very interesting.
Just make sure you follow the brown markings to the marble factory and then the green markings.
On the way down the Pas du Clapier is more challenging.

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JLPOUJOL
JLPOUJOL

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Mar 02, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

A very pleasant walk with beautiful views, the passage through the marble quarry is very interesting with the extraction points of the blocks still in place. Visit to the priory in passing. The only negative point is the "pas du berger" passage, which is too dangerous on the descent as the rock is very weathered. It would have deserved a chain or rope. So we looked for an alternative to avoid going all the way back up, and managed to avoid this passage by going back up a hundred metres or so, then heading left to cross the rocky bar via a fairly easy couloir, to join the blue route.
Be careful not to take the red route after the priory if you don't know how to climb.

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Nonopetirobo
Nonopetirobo

Overall rating : 2.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jan 11, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Busy trail : No

Hello, my wife and I have had to abandon this route. From the green route onwards, it's borderline rock-climbing! Not feeling safe any more, we turned back. It's a pity because the start of this hike is very nice.

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Nicobom
Nicobom

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Dec 27, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A very nice walk, especially on the way up, as there was no one there at the end of December at 9am.
The route is very well signposted, but you have to be careful as there are a lot of twists and turns at the start.
No difficulty for people who are used to walking in the mountains (1 or 2 more tricky steps on the way up for people afraid of heights, but not insurmountable).
More people on the descent (especially on the blue route).

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Co04
Co04

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : May 15, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Partly frequented circuit (blue route), the only downside!

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didier.dumet@gmail.com
didier.dumet@gmail.com

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Feb 05, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Very nice hike.
Best done in winter when the weather's fine - I can't imagine how hot it'll be in spring/autumn!
There are a few small inclined slabs on the way to the summit, nothing too serious for those used to the mountains.
Not many people, apart from the first part of the descent from the Croix de Provence.

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tulipe
tulipe

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 24, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : N/A
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

If you follow the black markings, be aware that this is not just a hiking trail, but a rock-climbing one!
So avoid it if you're afraid of heights. Wear good shoes, bring ropes and don't go off on your own!
Be sure of your footing, as the slightest fault can cause a lot of pain.
It took me 1? hours from the 2-hour sign.
At some point you have to follow the blue arrows! Why make it simple?
The return via the blue path and then the red is much easier, apart from one tricky section.

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1950bba
1950bba

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 10, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

It's a lovely, uncrowded walk up to the Croix de Provence. After that, it's China, even during the week. It's easy to see why the rocks are so polished and slippery.
Unlike the Forcioli trail, there are no passages that could really be described as "climbing" (apart from the Pas du Berger on the way down), but this route is also quite "sporty" (it's like going up and down a large staircase with irregular steps).

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