The Orgon plateau

Circuit in the eastern Alpilles, first passing by the Notre-Dame de Beauregard chapel overlooking the Durance valley and a long tour over the Orgon plateau and its valleys.

Technical sheet

28372
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 18.41 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 6h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 486 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 486 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 287 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 83 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in one of the many available places along the D7N (Avenue de la Victoire), close to the PMU.

‘’No markings''
(S) From the car park, cross the road at the pedestrian crossing opposite the PMU and continue straight on Place Albert Gérard (keep the post office to your left). Continue straight ahead on Avenue Georges Coste to reach Place de la Liberté, near the tourist office.
Take the few stairs to the left to see the church.
Continue in the same direction along the street that slopes to the left past the municipal police station to reach the stairs.
Leave the street and take the stairs on the left that leads to Chemin des Oratoires. Turn left following the signs for Notre-Dame de Beauregard and head up to get to the chapel of the annunciation.

(1) Continue for a few metres on an asphalt road and turn right on the stone stairs that pass next to a wooden house. After heading around it, the chapel to Jesus and Mary is on the path to the right and then a third with no name 10 m further on up leads to a crossroads.

‘’Yellow markings’’
(2) Cross the road and continue opposite still on the same type of path making a few turns and arrive in front of the entrance of the Notre-Dame de Beauregard chapel (3).
Pass on by to reach the square. After admiring the scene, turn right onto the paved road that provides access to this place.
Follow this road to the right downhill along the cliffs for about 400 m as far as a crossing.

(4) Turn left just before the marker post, head around the barrier and take the leftmost path down above the lake. From there one can still see the marks of the 2012 fire, but the nature has begun to recover.
The stony and furrowed trail will meet the paved road to Lake Vallée Heureuse. Turn right and follow the edge of it to the camping site. Turn left onto the AL120 track that loops uphill. In the third turn, pass by a path that leads right and continue on the track. After a few hundred metres, the track flattens out and goes south to a hairpin bend.

(5) Go past the path on the right and continue on the track that goes left at first to the east and then south-east. 400 m further on, leave the path on the left and continue on the path to arrive on the plateau at a crossroads.
Make a round trip to the left to see the telegraph tower on the cliff edge facing La Durance.
Head back to the track and turn left, following the direction of Sénas via Vallon d’Auphant. The road will stay at the edge of the cliffs for a while, pass opposite an antenna then down to the south-west to reach a crossroads in an area untouched by the fire.

(6) Turn left towards Sénas via Vallon Auphant, cross a barrier and begin the descent into the stony valley. Arrive in the bottom of the valley and the path becomes more enjoyable and continues straight toward a gate.

(7) Head round the fence and take an immediate right on a poorly visible trail indicated by the sign for Orgon by Vallon Grand Vallon (not a typo!). Follow the track that follows the D569 but at a small distance for about 300 m and then join a path.

(8) Turn right following the path that goes up the Grand Vallon. The paths in this rather wild valley will very gradually rise and join a road at a bend.

(9) Turn right on the road that continues to climb into the valley and reaches a very big crossroads.

(10) Leave a path to the left, crossing the barrier from the right and pass a further two roads that go to the left of the marker. Take the path furthest to the right and pass another path on the left 10 m away.
Continue on this level path that passes under a power line passing all other paths leading off it.
Arriving under another power line, locate the marker to the left hidden by trees.

(11) Turn left on the road towards Orgon (the Telegraph circuit). The path goes to the left of a pylon and turns right after 300 m. Just before going under the power line, pass a path on the left and also one that follows the electric line to the left, continue on the main path.
400 m away, pass a tank, then the path turns north and north-east to a junction.

(12) Continue to the left for about 700 m, then a cairn indicates that you should temporarily leave the road to take a path on the right. 150 m further on, take the left fork that meets with a path.

(13) Turn right on the road that becomes a trail and provides beautiful views of the Vallée Heureuse.
You must follow the trail close to the cliffs because the markings are always present on this section. Do not take a left down into the valley when a path appears (not marked on the map).
After going close to the cliffs, the trail descends to the asphalt road at the same intersection used on the outward journey.

(4) Turn right on the road that leads up towards Notre-Dame de Beauregard. Before arriving at the square, head down to the right and come to a bar and terrace.
Head back to the forecourt and go to the entrance porch.

(3) Pass by it and follow a path that goes left towards the porch of an old building. Once in the chamber, continue left to go to the cross. Just above is a viewpoint and a panoramic shelter.
Head back down to the entrance porch at Notre-Dame de Beauregard.
Turn left on the path leading down stairs to the intersection with a paved road.

(2) Follow the road to the right, past two water tanks and take the stairs down to the left and join a trail in the forest.
Pass by the ruins of the Duc de Guise, a fortress overlooking the Durance valley.
Arrive on a ledge and continue straight keeping barriers to left. Head down some stairs and turn left onto a platform. Cross it heading towards beautiful blue cedars.
Continue on the left and pass under Porte de l’Hortet leading to the Chapel of the Annunciation.

(1) Turn right and walk along the same path as on the way out to reach the car park.

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 85 m - Car park off the D7n (Avenue de la Victoire)
  2. 1 : km 0.31 - alt. 100 m - Oratory of the Annunciation
  3. 2 : km 0.56 - alt. 147 m - Crossroads for the outward and return journey. View of the - La Durance
  4. 3 : km 0.83 - alt. 195 m - Notre-Dame de Beauregard
  5. 4 : km 1.26 - alt. 169 m - Carrefour for the outward and return journeys
  6. 5 : km 3.72 - alt. 205 m - Left on the runway
  7. 6 : km 6.41 - alt. 267 m - Crossroads, turn left
  8. 7 : km 8.21 - alt. 136 m - Turn right after the barrier
  9. 8 : km 8.56 - alt. 131 m - Right towards Grand Vallon
  10. 9 : km 10.77 - alt. 249 m - Crossroads, turn right
  11. 10 : km 11.57 - alt. 287 m - Big crossroads of tracks, on the right
  12. 11 : km 12.59 - alt. 271 m - Left under the high-voltage line
  13. 12 : km 14.39 - alt. 228 m - Left on the runway
  14. 13 : km 15.41 - alt. 229 m - To the right on a path
  15. S/E : km 18.41 - alt. 86 m - Car park off the D7n (Avenue de la Victoire)

Practical information

The route mostly takes forest tracks, avoided during bad Mistral winds.
There is the option to shorten the route by turning right at point (6) then 150 m further on turn left to find point (11) (13 km in length and 313 m of altitude).

In the nearby area

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 50 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.2 / 5
User 2446043

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : May 26, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Magnificent views. Slope 7 is dangerous. We used the GPS because there were no signs on the ground. Beautiful hike. Thanks to the creator.

Automatically translated

le islois
le islois

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 22, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

very pleasant tour, 360° panoramic view from the tower, hike completed in less than 6 hours, thank you to the creator

Automatically translated

PATDUCAP
PATDUCAP

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jan 08, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Beautiful scenery in this part of the Alpilles. A pleasant, easy route that we covered in less than 6 hours.
With the sun shining at this time of year and not many people around, it's ideal.
Thank you for this trail.

Automatically translated

FTM
FTM

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jan 05, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

A very fine circuit with beautiful panoramic views. The village of Orgon is also well worth a visit.

Automatically translated

tatisane
tatisane

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Dec 23, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

nice walk with no major difficulties well signposted visit to notre dame de beauregard pleasant site
beautiful view of the ventoux and durance

Automatically translated

Maryse84
Maryse84

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

Nice walk with no particular difficulties. The directions are very precise, but I didn't see the barrier mentioned at point 10 (perhaps I took the wrong path...).
The time given of 6h40 seems excessive (even if you include a good lunch break) as I did it in 4h40 (without a break).

Automatically translated

fdwilliam
fdwilliam

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 15, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

A fine climb at the start of the route, rewarded by a visit to the chapel! Lots of DFCI, but the walk ends on a little hillside path with great views! The 18 km are easy to swallow!

Automatically translated

Charline1
Charline1
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of walk : May 12, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

Interesting walk, but a bit long at first. It's beautiful, but you stay on the flat for a long time, with the same landscape.
It's a pity, because by the time you get to the tower, the vegetation has burnt down...
It's not easy to follow the path towards the end, to go up and down to the tower, but you manage...
It was crowded

Automatically translated

Equipe du vendredi
Equipe du vendredi

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of walk : Mar 12, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Busy trail : No

The first few kilometres are disappointing, with motorway views and noise. Track without trees. Not to be done in very sunny weather.
At the end of the route, it's more pleasant, you scramble over some rocks and the view is quite nice;

Automatically translated

gaelglb
gaelglb

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Feb 28, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

thank you for plotting this beautiful hike...a little monotonous for the first few km (forest track and no trees), but one surprise after another as the kilometres go by, ending up in a blissful view of the "happy valley" and ND de Beauregard.

Automatically translated

Gilles Vernier
Gilles Vernier

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Feb 19, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

The four trails signposted by the Orgon Tourist Office are marked in yellow, including the Telegraphe trail and the Auphant and Grand Vallon valleys.
On the way back, visit the Urgonia Museum in Orgon, a small museum devoted to Urgonian rocks, palaeontology and fauna. It is shared with the tourist office.

Automatically translated

ThC
ThC

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of walk : Feb 12, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Busy trail : No

I did this walk after reading the reviews, but given the beauty of our region, I don't understand how anyone could find this walk magnificent or even just beautiful. At the start you see the motorway and you can hear it very clearly, then the high-voltage power lines accompany you for the rest of the way. Most of the route is on wide DFCI tracks. Frankly, there are so many better things to do nearby. So nature lovers, refrain!

Automatically translated

Klodeko
Klodeko

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of walk : Jan 29, 2022
Reliability of the description : N/A
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Done in the opposite direction with my dog in winter with a strong Mistral wind, so we didn't meet anyone except between the lake and the chapel of ND de Beauregard, where we turned back.
I started this loop from point 10 and added it to the middle of the initial circuit "La Plaine des Alpilles" to complete the discovery of this eastern part of the Alpilles (36km/D+1100m in total). So I didn't do the section between 1 and 3.
The section between 6 and 5 is exposed to the wind and a bit monotonous. The rest, in the opposite direction, is very pleasant with a beautiful view of the Happy Valley. We went along the cliffs on the other side at point 4 (return journey) to take in the view.

Automatically translated

devouassoud
devouassoud

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Mar 22, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

nice hike; but the Visiorando app didn't work very well, so I had to follow with the paper map; it felt strange at first, but in the end it's better because the Visiorando app is technically a nightingale....

Automatically translated

edmondguevara
edmondguevara

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 30, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Within everyone's reach, it's especially near Orgon that the hike is beautiful. The plateau is a hunter's paradise.

Automatically translated

Other walks in the area

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of the author. Do not copy them without permission.