Whether on a family outing or a long walk, the Alpilles Regional Natural Park reveals a heritage and diversity of landscapes perfectly suited for hiking. With its extensive network of paths and trails, you can enjoy all kinds of hiking, on foot, by bike, or even on horseback.
Through this article, let yourself be transported by the Provençal climate and discover the best hikes in the Alpilles, ranging from short one or two-hour walks to full-day hikes.
The Best Hikes in the Alpilles
With its limestone massif sculpted by nature, the Alpilles massif represents a true playground for hiking enthusiasts; indeed, it offers numerous trails accessible to both amateurs and more experienced hikers. To help you choose, we have selected the best ones for you to discover the Alpilles in depth!
Lake Peiroou: Formed by a dam created by the Romans to supply water to the thermal baths and the fountain of Glanum, Lake Peiroou is a true haven of peace to recharge and connect with nature. The place is known for its coolness, which is ideal for rejuvenating in the shade of the Provençal flora.
From this lake, there are numerous paths that allow you to reach the vicinity of the dam; if you wish to do a loop starting from Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, there is a low-difficulty route that can be completed in 3h30 which is ideal for a Sunday family walk. However, be aware that access to the lake is subject to restrictions in summer to prevent forest fires.
The Rock of Two Holes: A place that inspired the famous Dutch painter Van Gogh for one of his paintings, the Rock of Two Holes offers an exceptional view of Lake Peiroou.
This place, which is a geological formation composed of limestone and marl, is renowned for nature lovers, and in addition to its view of the lake, it allows you to observe from a height the Crau plain and the surrounding mountains. To reach this place, starting from Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, count between 2 and 3 hours of moderate difficulty hiking for 7 km.
The rock is the starting point for many hiking trails if you wish, once arrived, to set off to explore the Alpilles.
The ascent of Les Opies: The highest point of the vast Alpilles massif, the summit of Les Opies offers a sensational 360° panorama.
During your journey, you will be accompanied by a sweet scent of Provence due to the presence of garrigue, olive trees, and an old sheepfold; this ascent, with an average duration of 5 hours for 13.63 kilometers starting from Eyguières, is a must-do hike for those visiting the Alpilles, but also for history enthusiasts, as it allows you to discover exceptional landscapes and archaeological remains.
The walk is quite demanding, but it’s worth the detour for those who want to take up the challenge!
Hike on the Alpilles ridge: located in the north of the Bouches-du-Rhône department, the Alpilles offer an original landscape of white limestone rocks and Provençal flora.
As such, the hike on the Alpilles ridge is mainly intended for experienced hikers due to its significant elevation gain. Starting from Saint-Rémy-en-Provence, count 3 hours of hiking for 7.73 kilometers.
Moreover, this hike will allow you to discover different emblematic places of the massif throughout your journey between wild and steep ridges.
The Tour of Les Trincades: if you want to explore a beautiful place in the Alpilles, east of Maussane and Les Baux, the Tour of Les Trincades will allow you to discover the sumptuous Provençal landscapes!
Thanks to its hilly course and progressive elevation gain, which is feasible in 2h47 for a 9.5-kilometer loop starting from the hamlet of Les Calans, this place allows both amateur hikers and experienced ones to come together for a convivial moment.
Ideal if you want to contemplate the landscape without too much physical effort.
Hiking Map of the Alpilles: Find Your Ideal Route
To plan your itinerary in the Alpilles and set out hiking with peace of mind, we recommend equipping yourself with a hiking map, whether physical or on your phone (in which case, make sure it’s sufficiently charged before leaving), to find the ideal route. To do this, there are online hiking maps, such as those from Decathlon or Visorando, which are useful, especially as they offer a whole catalog of hikes that you can sort according to your level.
Tips for a Successful Hike in the Alpilles
If you wish to go hiking in the Alpilles and prepare yourself as best as possible, here are some tips that may be useful for you to discover one of the most beautiful sites in the north of the Bouches-du-Rhône department:
- Find accommodation that suits your desires: to spend a peaceful stay, it is advisable to find accommodation in advance. Know that it’s possible to find accommodations for all tastes and budgets in the Alpilles: comfortable chalets, family residences, hotels… To help you choose, here’s our recommendation: we offer several accommodations for mountain hiking, right here.
Vacation rental house with pool AUREILLE LS2-287
From 172.00€ per night
Vacation rental villa pool Orgon LS1-117
From 113.00€ per night
Vacation rental with heated pool Mouries LS1-140
From 158.00€ per night
Vacation rental house with pool MOURIES LS1-174
From 215.00€ per night
- Check the weather and study your route: when you go hiking, especially when you plan to take a trail for the first time, it’s important to study it before leaving to avoid getting lost and/or deviating from your path. Moreover, we also advise you to check the weather to avoid unpleasant surprises on the day of your hiking departure.
- Set out with the right equipment: in addition to planning warm clothes for the cool evenings characteristic of mountain climate, it is recommended to bring sturdy hiking shoes specific to mountain terrain, as well as sunglasses and sunscreen, because even if you’re in the mountains, the sun won’t spare you, especially in summer! Finally, bring a water bottle, especially if your hike is long and/or requires significant physical effort.
Discover the Beauty of the Alpilles on Foot
The Alpilles region is magnificent for hikers who decide to venture there, either because it represents a real challenge, or because it allows families to walk around and admire the surrounding landscapes. Do you want to explore the Alpilles on foot and discover its hiking trails, but don’t know where to stay? Don’t worry: with us, you’ll find the accommodation that suits you in just a few clicks, and you can, therefore, focus on planning your hike in the Alpilles!
