A circular route around the hills above Gréoux-les-Bains

A circular route through the hills above Gréoux-les-Bains towards Rousset Castle, passing through the Verdon valley, the woods, the vineyards and Rousset Castle. Return via more vineyards and woods, Gréoux-les-Bains Castle and the town centre.

Details

1056833
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 11.35 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 6h 10 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,063 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,047 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,644 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 978 ft

Photos

Description of the walk

Park at the hiking information board, next to the Verdon, at the entrance to the fitness trail at the end of Rue des Eaux Chaudes.

(S/E) Set off towards the bridge, following the yellow markings. Go under the bridge and continue straight on along the Verdon, past the small dam, then past the two vehicle barriers and in front of the recycling centre. Reach the end of the road at the junction with Chemin l’Auro.

(1) Take this path on the right and carry on straight ahead, passing the municipal technical centre and the “Les Relarguiers” signpost. Join the D952.

(2) Turn right onto the small path running alongside the road. Cross the road at the first junction and turn left at the “Jas du Rocher” signpost. Continue straight on towards Chêne Vert de Rousset.

(3) At the end of the street, carry on straight ahead along a track, passing two yellow signposts with hats on top.

(4) At the three-way junction, take the track on the left that goes uphill and carry straight on.
At the top of the climb, you’ll reach the “Parabus” signpost.

(5) Carry on straight ahead along the track towards Les Abbées. Pass under two high-voltage power lines and past the Cavalerie house. Then carry on straight ahead, ignoring the turn-offs to the left. You’ll reach the T-junction at the ‘Les Abbées’ signpost.

(6) Turn right and carry on straight ahead along this new track, passing under two high-voltage power lines. Walk alongside a wire fence, then a solar panel installation, and pass between the vineyards. Next to a wayside cross, you’ll find the “Chêne Vert de Rousset” signpost.

(7) Take the track on the left to catch a glimpse of Rousset Castle, then return to the signpost. Carry on straight ahead towards La Colle de Rousset; the track winds through the vineyards and reaches the end of them.

(8) Here, make a left-right zigzag to follow the track. Continue through the woods, passing once more under a high-voltage power line and past a red boundary marker. You will soon come to another crossroads.

(9) Take the track on the right, then, before a bend, take a small path on the left and head uphill through the woods, passing under a high-voltage power line. At the next junction, turn right and carry on straight ahead.
You’ll reach the signpost marked ‘La Colle de Rousset’.

(10) Turn left towards the Ancienne Drovers' Road of Arles to reach the junction with the RD 82 at the signpost of the same name.

(11) Turn left and follow the road for about a hundred metres. Cross the road to join a track on the right, pass the signpost marked “Les Plaines”, and carry on straight ahead towards La Colle.
You’ll reach the next junction, in front of a farm building, at the “La Colle” signpost.

(12) Take the track on the right towards Gréoux-les-Bains. Carry on straight ahead through the Ravin de la Goutette until you reach the cemetery next to the signpost marked “Chemin de Goutette”.

(13) Carry on straight ahead alongside the cemetery, cross the road and take the first street on the right towards “Château”. At the next junction, by the “Château” signpost, turn right and then immediately left to go round the castle.
Take the first flight of steps on the left, go through the gate and carry on straight ahead to take a narrow, stepped lane
At the end of the alleyway, turn right, walk past a fountain, carry on straight ahead and go down the steps on Rue du Cadran.
At the bottom of the steps, turn left onto Rue Grande, then carry on straight ahead to reach the central roundabout.

(14) Take the second road on the right towards Saint-Julien, then the first street on the left. Walk alongside the Thermes car park and continue straight on along Rue des Eaux Chaudes to return to the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 994 ft - At the Verdon - Verdon (rivière)
  2. 1 : mi 1.03 - alt. 978 ft - Chemin des Vannes
  3. 2 : mi 1.55 - alt. 984 ft - Jas du Rocher
  4. 3 : mi 1.85 - alt. 1,007 ft - At a bend
  5. 4 : mi 2.15 - alt. 1,089 ft - Three-way junction
  6. 5 : mi 2.73 - alt. 1,552 ft - Parabus
  7. 6 : mi 3.99 - alt. 1,181 ft - Les Abbées
  8. 7 : mi 5.57 - alt. 1,115 ft - Rousset’s holm oak
  9. 8 : mi 6.4 - alt. 1,207 ft - After the vineyards
  10. 9 : mi 7.17 - alt. 1,302 ft - Y-junction
  11. 10 : mi 8.08 - alt. 1,614 ft - La Colle de Rousset
  12. 11 : mi 8.39 - alt. 1,634 ft - RD 82
  13. 12 : mi 8.94 - alt. 1,640 ft - La Colle
  14. 13 : mi 10.39 - alt. 1,243 ft - Chemin de Goutette
  15. 14 : mi 10.96 - alt. 1,083 ft - Roundabout
  16. S/E : mi 11.35 - alt. 994 ft - The Verdon

Worth a visit

As you climb towards Le Parabus, turn round on the ascent to take in the views of Gréoux-les-Bains.
Near the Chêne Vert de Rousset, take in the vineyards, the remarkable trees and Rousset Castle.
As you pass through the vineyards after the Chêne Vert de Rousset signpost, turn round to enjoy the views of the mountains above Manosque.
A short path through the woods leads to the La Colle de Rousset bridge.
Gréoux-les-Bains Castle, with a passageway under one of the castle gates.
Descend into Gréoux-les-Bains via the narrow streets.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 2 reviews

Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
5 / 5
Route interest
4 / 5
LES DRAILLES 04
LES DRAILLES 04

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 27, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Well done to LAURENT FRANCOIS for his extremely comprehensive description
No hesitation about the route
You really must go all the way to the castle, which you usually only see from the valley

Machine-translated

momo du05
momo du05

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 13, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

On the way back, instead of crossing the road, stick to the edge of the old Manosque road (dirt track) GR all the way to the castle. You absolutely must go as far as Rousset Castle; otherwise, the walk is of little interest.

Machine-translated

Other walks in the area

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.