Saragousse and the Croix de Rognac

A family-friendly walk, best undertaken when the wind isn’t too strong as the Plateau de Vitrolles is very exposed. You can stop for a picnic and a break halfway along the route at the cross, with an extraordinary view of the Étang de Berre and the lake’s surroundings.

Details

64212414
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 4.15 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 10 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 328 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 325 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 600 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 302 ft
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ City: Velaux (13880)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 43.505783° / E 5.259343°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 3143ET, 3144OT
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Description of the walk

You can park in the dirt car park on the right just after the Ferme du Vallon.

(S/E) Opposite the car park, take the stone path uphill until you reach the gate of the last house.

(1) In front of the gate, at the very top of the stone path, turn right and continue along the stone road. Go through the barrier and continue until you reach an abandoned house.

(2) In front of this house, at the fork, turn right. Continue along the path, staying on the main track, first through the vineyards, then, after a 90° bend to the left, the village of Saragousse comes into view in the distance. Head towards the village.

(3) Turn right onto the tarmac road and join another tarmac road at the exit of the Saragousse estate.

(4) Turn right onto this road and you will arrive near a small car park on the left.

(5) Turn right onto the small dirt track leading to the Plateau de Vitrolles and climb up to the edge of the cliff to join the ridge path. The view is wonderful.

(6) Turn right and follow the path along the ridge (red and yellowGRP® markings). You’ll soon reach the Croix de Rognac (a superb viewpoint, ideal for a break).

(7) Continue along the cliff edge via the GRP®. After this long walk along the ridge, join a road/track that descends to the right.

(8) Before a huge electricity pylon in front of you, head down to the right along the compacted track, then pass through the Velaux/Rognac boundary gate, in front of a house with a chapel in the garden. Continue along the track until you reach the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 302 ft - Dirt car park
  2. 1 : mi 0.12 - alt. 367 ft - House at the top of the hill
  3. 2 : mi 0.35 - alt. 459 ft - Junction
  4. 3 : mi 1.01 - alt. 489 ft - Village of Saragousse
  5. 4 : mi 1.5 - alt. 554 ft - Tarmac road
  6. 5 : mi 1.75 - alt. 522 ft - Vitrolles Plateau
  7. 6 : mi 2.05 - alt. 597 ft - Ridge - GRP junction
  8. 7 : mi 2.16 - alt. 591 ft - Croix de Rognac
  9. 8 : mi 3.24 - alt. 574 ft - Junction
  10. S/E : mi 4.15 - alt. 302 ft - Dirt car park

Notes

A small car park with around ten spaces is available. It is located at the end of the road, just after the farm on the right.

Worth a visit

During the hike, you’ll pass through the pretty hamlet of Saragousse and the Vitrolles Plateau, stopping at the Croix de Rognac for a lunch break, with an impressive 360° view.

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 6 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4 / 5
jeanguitare
jeanguitare

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

A pleasant stroll on a lovely day.
Lovely view of the Étang de Berre.
No particular difficulty.

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PITAVIN
PITAVIN

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 11, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

A pleasant hike in the hills above the Étang de Berre lagoon, suitable for all ages.

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MIW
MIW
• Edited:

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A nice little afternoon walk. After getting our bearings wrong at the start, we followed the route backwards, which didn't detract from the experience.
It's a shame that the farmers in Saragosse neglect their environment and the nature they are supposed to protect.

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User 27468632

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

Very satisfied with this information, very pleasant route, superb views over the Étang de Berre lagoon

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LIONEL13118
LIONEL13118

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 26, 2025
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Many thanks for the walk – it was brilliant!

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jmvvisorando
jmvvisorando

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 20, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely, very easy Sunday walk with a superb view of the Étang de Berre.

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