Triple ascent of the south-west face of Sainte-Victoire

(____ WARNING__, risk of falling rocks on the yellow trail! Given the potentially dangerous nature of the remaining rock, a municipal decree has been issued by the Mayor of Saint-Antonin-sur-Bayon, formally prohibiting access to the trail until further notice.__)

Access: from Beaureceuil or Le Tholonet, cross Saint-Antonin-sur-Bayon via the D17.
Park in the car park known as Les 2 Aiguilles, 500 metres on the right after the Maison de Sainte-Victoire, on the outskirts of Saint-Antonin-sur-Bayon.

(S/E) At the car park, facing Saint-Victoire, cross the D17 road. Immediately on a large flat rock, there are several markings, including one indicating the start of the Black trail on the right (Garagaï inscription, quite difficult to read).

Black markings:

Quickly pass the small picnic area. Ignore the next three paths that branch off to the left. A few dozen metres further on, begin the climb towards the cliff face. 150 metres before the cliff face, cross the brown marked trail and continue straight ahead.

(1) Once at the foot of the cliff, you will come to the Pied de l'Éléphant, where you will need to use your hands. After this short section, continue climbing; the markings lead westwards. The black markings are quite difficult to see on the grey rocks, which have many dark spots. Take the time to look carefully and analyse the terrain.

The route alternates between scree slopes, paved or rocky passages and trails. A short exposed section, the Pas de l'Aiglon, allows you to bypass a rocky cliff before arriving at the Garagaï scree slope. Once you reach this scree slope (with wire cages filled with stones), the black markings will soon meet up with the green markings (Forcioli).

Black and green markings:

(2) After the stabilised passage, the black trail joins the green Forcioli trail. The trail heads back towards the middle of the scree slope, where steel stakes have been planted to stabilise the path. Climb up the scree to cross large rock slabs and a series of ledges.

Cross a narrow, slightly exposed ledge near Petit Garagaï (which is then on your right, slightly below). Grand Garagaï is in front of you (to the west). You will come out at the foot of the Grotte aux Hirondelles. Cross it to reach the ridge. The climb is made difficult by the weathered and worn rocks. Take care if the ground is wet.

White/red markings,^GR®9:

(3) Exit the cave on the north side of Sainte-Victoire. Turn left onto the ridge path via the^GR®9(red/white markings). Turn left again to reach the Croix de Provence. From the Croix de Provence, descend on the^GR®9to enter the Prieuré de la Sainte-Victoire.
Leave the priory and turn left to continue downhill on the^GR®9.

Blue markings:

About 200 metres further down, at a crossroads, leave the^GR® and continue downhill following the blue markings (Imoucha trail).

(4) On the descent, cross the small, discreet path (partly hidden by vegetation) on the left coming from the Yellow trail. A tiny cairn marks the entrance. Continue straight down the path. Blue markings.

Red markings:

(5) At the first junction on the left with the red trail (Pas du Moine), continue to the left. A large cairn marks the start of the descent. Follow the continuous red trail. The descent is quite demanding and tricky, so watch where you put your feet. Passages on fairly steep rock slabs at the start. Arrive at Pas du Berger, which you will need to climb down.

(6) Come out on the left side of the fork marked with a large cairn. During the second descent, you will arrive from the right. Continue the descent on the red trail. Cross a few rocky slabs at Pas des Dinosaures. Then cross a small area with orchards and olive trees before arriving at the Cézanne refuge.

(7) Behind the Cézanne refuge, climb a few steps to reach the threshing floor of the old hamlet of Le Trou. To the right of the threshing floor stands the Rocher du Trou rock with its calvary.

White/red^GR®653Amarkings and brown markings:

Continue straight ahead on the^GR®653A. Red/white and brown markings. The trail heads east at the foot of the cliffs.

(8) After 1 km on the brown marked trail, turn left.

Green markings:

A small rock with green markings marks the entrance to the Forcioli trail. Take this trail, which climbs rapidly until it reaches the foot of the cliff. Walk along the cliff for about 30 metres until you reach the Ecaille de Tortue, a slab of rock leaning against the cliff and slightly detached. The right side is easier to access (good grip) and less exposed than the left side.

At the top of the block, the route heads to the left and then climbs up a chimney. At the top of this chimney, turn left (west) along the cliff face. The trail then climbs up slabs to reach the foot of a second ledge to be crossed. This second passage is on very smooth limestone, which makes it difficult to see.

After a series of small ledges (slabs or boulders), you will reach the first scree slope.
Follow the green markings and leave the scree slope to the right in order to climb up a chimney and reach a slab and then a small ridge. Cross a large sloping slab to join the black trail at the patch of vegetation. The green markings are regularly present and clearly visible as you climb.

Black and green markings:

(2) Arrive at the section shared by the black and green trails below the Garagaï scree slope.
You will come out again at the foot of the Grotte aux Hirondelles. Cross it to reach the ridge.

White/red markings,^GR®9

(3) Exit the cave, then turn left again onto the ridge path via the^GR®9(red/white markings).
This time, pass below the Croix de Provence and go around the Prieuré de la Sainte-Victoire.

Blue markings:

About 200m further down, at a crossroads, leave the^GR® and continue downhill following the blue markings (Imoucha trail).

(4) Cross the small, discreet path on the left coming from the yellow trail a second time. A tiny cairn marks the entrance. Continue straight ahead on the path. Blue markings.

(5) Pass the Pas du Moine and continue straight ahead down the blue trail to the Pas de l'Escalette.

Red markings:

(9) Continue to the left, following the red dot markings. Begin the descent, following these markings.

(6) Come out on the right side of the fork marked with a large cairn. Continue downhill on the red trail to reach the Cézanne refuge.

Yellow markings: (__Caution: route prohibited (see warning above)__)

(7) Behind the refuge, follow the yellow markings (on the tree trunk in the middle) which lead towards the north-facing rock face in the middle of the typical heath vegetation. A first rocky outcrop requires the use of your hands.

(10) Then comes the Pas de la Savonnette, a smooth slab that can be climbed with the help of an 8-metre chain. The passage remains challenging. The chain has several anchor points that are not aligned. An alternative route (marked with dotted yellow markings) allows you to bypass this obstacle on the left.

Next, go around a pillar to reach the foot of a wide corridor (view of the Croix de Provence). The ascent alternates between steep and easier sections. The path becomes increasingly rocky and sometimes quite vertical, bordering on climbing. Many sections require the use of your hands. Reach the ridge at Baù Cézanne.

No markings:

(11) Head east to join the Imoucha trail (blue markings) at the point (4).

White/red markings,^GR®9:

(4) Turn right, then climb up to the Priory via the^GR®9, joining the Garagaï.

(3) Continue along the ridges via the^GR®9for approximately 2.2 km. The terrain remains challenging, as the crossing is through sharp limestone pavement.

Green markings:

(12) A discreet cairn with green markings marks the entrance to the breach and the path downhill.
Two green markers in the breach indicate the direction to follow. Take the path on the right, which descends rapidly.

The descent from Pas du Clapier is quite challenging. In less than a kilometre, you will reach the brown-marked trail that runs along the massif from east to west. There are several short drops to negotiate during the descent, through gaps or faults. Good handholds make the descent easier. Green markings are present at regular intervals. When you reach the bottom (a large cairn marks the foot of the green markings).

Brown markings:

(13) Turn right onto the brown trail. Arrive above La Marbrière (an old marble quarry). Make a round trip to visit this small quarry and the blocks still present, then resume the brown trail which descends.

(14) Continue along this path to the right at the crossroads.

No markings:

(15) At the next intersection after about 550 metres, continue along the small path on the left. Climb up to the Cheyenne cave. Continue descending south-west to reach the D17 departmental road. Turn right and follow it for 200 metres to return to the Deux Aiguilles car park (S/E).

Hike includes exposed and challenging sections.

From 1 June to 30 September, access to the massif is restricted and access hours may be limited (or access may be prohibited altogether). See link

No water sources.

The climbs are on the south face, so they are relatively protected from the mistral wind but, depending on the time of year, can be subject to high temperatures (significant heat reflection).

The route can be slightly extended by taking the black trail from Saint-Ser at the Col de Vauvenargues. Route closed between the end of January and 15 August (animal protection).

This route is not recommended if the ground is wet or in rainy weather, as the limestone is slippery in places and can become very dangerous.

Please note: The Priory of Sainte-Victoire has reopened, but access is restricted; please consult this page for more information.

Prieuré de la Sainte Victoire.
Former marble quarry.
Cheyenne Cave.
Bimont Dam.