On the heights of Gréoux-les-Bains

A circular route to see both sides of Gréoux-les-Bains – the hills and the plain – passing through the mountains to reach Notre-Dame des Œufs. Further on, reach the viewpoint at Pas du Verré and the cross at Vallée Obscure. For the return journey, head back via the plain and the Aurabelles equestrian centre.

Details

1758691
Creation:
Last update:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 15.76 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 382 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 383 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 582 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 287 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the car park at the end of Rue des Eaux Chaudes, next to the Verdon.

(S/E) Head to the hiking information board.
Turn right towards the bridge, then take the path leading uphill to the right at the signpost marked ‘Le Moulin’. Cross the Verdon via the bridge.

(1) At the end of the bridge, take the small road on the left towards Le Lac. Turn right at the fork immediately after, following the yellow and red markings.
Pass the “Buissiére” signpost and continue along the road. Reach the Notre-Dame des Œufs crossroads.

(2) Leave the road and the markings, turn left to reach a small clearing. Take the track on the right, then, at the next Y-junction, turn right and continue along the track, which turns into a small uphill path leading to Notre-Dame des Œufs.

(3) At the chapel, continue straight on along the small path. At the “Notre-Dame des Œufs” signpost, continue straight on towards “Le Défends” and follow the yellow and red markings again.
Climb the steps, cross the small square to take the track and reach the crossroads at the “Le Défends” signpost.

(4) Cross the road and stay on the track opposite, following the yellow markings to the next junction. Then leave the track and turn left onto a small uphill path.
When you reach the fence at the "Pas du Verré" signpost, turn right for two metres to reach the viewpoint.
Retrace your steps along the fence.

(5) Continue straight on along the track towards Les Mauras, following the yellow markings. Reach the junction at the "Pellas" signpost.

(6) Take the track on the right, towards “La Vallée Obscure”, leaving the markings behind here. Continue along the path, ignoring all the turnings to the right and left. After a circular bend to the left, you’ll reach a small clearing and a wider track.

(7) Turn left onto it heading due south, reach a barrier to stop cars, continue along the track, and arrive at the “Peicaï” signpost.

(8) Turn right and leave the marked trail. Join and take the track on the right leading to the “Les Vignes” signpost and the D35.

(9) Cross this road and continue straight ahead along the track to reach Vallongue and the entrance pillar of the 877 property.

(10) Pass to the right of the pillar and continue north-west along the Ravin de Vallongue track. On leaving the forest, join a road running alongside the Canal du Moulin. Turn left onto it and you will soon reach the hamlet of Aurabelle.

(11) Cross the Aurabelle estate to the right and reach the right-angled junction at the Grande Maison.
Turn right onto the straight track, pass the Pavillon, then arrive at Pigette.

(12) Continue straight on, skirting the woods, to reach the campsites La Pinède, Regain and then Le Verseau.

(13) Continue straight ahead to reach the dam, follow the Verdon river and arrive at the bridge junction.

(1) Turn left to retrace your steps and follow the right bank of the Verdon back to the starting point on Rue des Eaux Chaudes (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 303 m - Rue des Eaux Chaudes
  2. 1 : km 0.3 - alt. 311 m - Crossroads of the circular loop, bridge over the Verdon
  3. 2 : km 1.26 - alt. 332 m - A small clearing
  4. 3 : km 1.96 - alt. 427 m - Notre Dame des Œufs
  5. 4 : km 3.58 - alt. 476 m - Le Défends
  6. 5 : km 4.11 - alt. 582 m - Pas du Verré
  7. 6 : km 4.83 - alt. 528 m - Pellas
  8. 7 : km 6.55 - alt. 471 m - Fire tracks
  9. 8 : km 7.58 - alt. 397 m - Peicaï
  10. 9 : km 8.37 - alt. 378 m - The Vineyards
  11. 10 : km 9.17 - alt. 411 m - 877
  12. 11 : km 11.24 - alt. 292 m - A path lined with pine trees
  13. 12 : km 13.69 - alt. 298 m - Pigette
  14. 13 : km 14.75 - alt. 314 m - Le Regain
  15. S/E : km 15.76 - alt. 303 m - Return to Rue des Eaux Chaudes

Worth a visit

The Notre-Dame des Œufs Chapel and its view over Gréoux-les-Bains and the Verdon Valley.
At Pas du Verré, the view over Gréoux-les-Bains.
At the cross, the view over Gréoux-les-Bains and the Valensole plateau.
The fertile Verdon Valley.

Reviews and comments

4.4 / 5
Based on 5 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.4 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.2 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
gilloua73
gilloua73

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 17, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant little walk to discover the other side of Gréoux. A farewell walk. We will be back to do more. Thank you very much.

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fanee
fanee

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 13, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hello
So at every key junction where two, three or four paths meet, there are no signposts showing which way to go!
If we didn’t have a mobile phone with the app, this hike would be impossible to do.

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LAURENT FRANCOIS
LAURENT FRANCOIS

Hello
Yes, the trail is signposted
Best regards

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AUDO13
AUDO13

Hello, is the entire route signposted? Thank you.

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Frederik De Waele
Frederik De Waele

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 25, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Stunning views of the Hautes-Alpes!

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domfredblanc
domfredblanc

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 22, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Not particularly difficult, but the difficulty levels vary greatly and it’s quite long. I did it in the opposite direction, which means you practically finish at ‘Notre Dame des Œufs’ – one of those amusing religious oddities! There are a few lovely views along the route and the scenery is quite pretty for the rest of the way; I still came across about ten people, though...

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DidierA
DidierA

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 18, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk, with a perfect description.
The first part is interesting.
We did this walk on a very hot day and cut short at point 7 to head back to Gréoux, thus avoiding walking in the blazing sun through the fields along the Verdon.

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