The Sainte Baume gorges

CAUTION very difficult hike that is with the very steep rise because rather narrow way at moment with side of cliff with pebbles a little slipping, good shoes obligatory. The hermit's cave is worth the diversions and the rest of the way to Larnas is nice with its old church. Once past Larnas you have two options: either you really like to suffer because the proposed path after going up takes you back down the hillside even steeper than the climb and all filled with unstable stones, or just after point 3 you take the road that you can see on the map, which takes you back to the village more quickly and gives you time to visit the castle. We didn't take the road and I regretted it.
The choice is yours and enjoy the walk.

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Beware: not only is the description old, it lacks precision. As for the route, it too may be imprecise, offering one or two shortcuts that are probably more interesting for sporty hikers than for family hikers. It will nevertheless be a great help via the Visorando application. IGN map and Visorando GPS essential.

(S/E) Wherever you are parked before or at the entrance to the village of Saint Montan, follow the D 262 towards Larnas: cross the small bridge over the Ellieux stream, with Larnas road signs and cycle signs clearly visible, pass under the main chapel in the centre of the village, and leave the village. Shortly afterwards, the San Samonta chapel is on the right-hand side of the road just before a wide right-hand bend. Just before the chapel, turn right uphill and follow the signs for "Ermitage de Saint Montan". Follow this sign all the way to the hermitage itself. Don't rely on the GR signs, which are practically non-existent as far as Larnas. The yellow and white markings are reliable until just above point (1).

(1) Above the hermitage, the GPS route leads you into a scree slope. We preferred to use the GPS to follow the well-marked Yellow and White path (there are some steep rocky sections in this area) until it forks downhill to the right. Leave it at this point and continue straight ahead on the flat until you reach the cross.

(2) The route is easier after this, apart from a slightly unnecessary shortcut after (4), which we avoided. The final descent through steep rocky passages can be tricky for some. There is a totally unnecessary and steep shortcut at the end, whereas you could finish calmly along pleasant little streets (S/E).

The views are magnificent.

The 12th-century chapel at Larnas is a jewel, and remarkably it opened on 26 January 2025.

If the description and route of this remarkable walk could be updated, it would be a good thing. Rated as an average walk, it should be mentioned that it does have some difficult sections.

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A very nice walk with superb views, particularly of the village at the end of the route. The weather was windy but sunny, quite physical at the start, with a visit to the Saint-Montan cave along the way and then to the village at the end of the route, with its roofs adorned with cats!

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Leuke route vanuit een leuke plaats. Het laatste stukje is door los grind naar beneden.

Hello,
For your next outings, and to find the starting point, just click on "Go to start" and enter your position to get the route.
The route follows the GR47 as far as the cave, after which it continues on a PR.

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Difficult to find the start
What's more, you have to take a PR path at the start and not a GR path

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Short walk with points of interest including the village of St-Montan, the hermit's cave and the church at Larnas.

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A very nice walk with a lot of difference in altitude, but beware of those who venture out with bad shoes and very young children.
We were lucky when we passed through the village of Larnas, where there was a small market and the very friendly producers invited us to sample their produce.

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Note: you leave the road just before or just after the San Samonta chapel.
Don't miss the short return journey to the hermitage.
Take time to visit the beautiful church in Larnas.
In Larnas, the crossroads is just opposite the town hall, not after it.
A very beautiful walk.

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Lovely walk with a steep, stony ascent, well signposted. Pretty church at Larnas with picnic table. The descent is well signposted but over rocks that should only be done in dry weather. The view of Saint Montan is magnificent on the way down, allowing you to take plenty of breaks and forget the harshness of the slope.

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It's quite a climb. We almost missed the end and the last few metres are a treasure hunt. we had a good laugh. top notch.

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Very nice walk. A stony and slightly steep descent to Saint Montan, but a magnificent viewpoint.
Thank you very much

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A pleasant walk with lovely views.
At the chapel, follow the YELLOW-WHITE signs and the "Grotte de l'Ermite" sign.
At point 1: the hermit's troglodyte house is well worth a visit. The famous cross mentioned in the guidebook is at the top of a rock.
Once back on the path, take care to leave the yellow-white markings at the top and turn left into a stony area.
At the village of Larnas, again follow the yellow-white signs to the village of St Montan.

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the walk was done today under a beautiful sun, the circuit is rated average, I would say rather difficult, but on the other hand a sublime landscape, a big thank you to the visorandonneur

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Very nice hike, but BEWARE:
1-Discordance between description and Waypoint 1 on map and GPX: in fact, W 1 on the route corresponds to "la Grotte de l'Ermite" and not to the Chapel....

The chapel is practically at the exit of the village of St Montan on the side of the road.
2-After the grotto, the GPX route is blurred, passing through undergrowth and rocks that are difficult to walk on, off the path, the origin of which seems to be a mistake or the taking of a shortcut to rejoin the path higher up...?
3-Further on between W2 and 3, no containers, no horses and a remnant of a fence on the ground!!! ....
Apart from that, everything is OK

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