That’s it, for your next vacation, you’ve chosen the Alpilles. You can’t wait to explore its breathtaking landscapes, between mountains and scrubland. You are already excited about the thought of tasting the gastronomy of Bouches-du-Rh\u00f4ne. But most of all, you’re eager to imagine the hiking trails of Saint-R\u00e9my-de-Provence or Cavaillon. If for you, holidays are all about walking trails, you’ll love this beautiful natural park in the south of France. And since we\u2019re nice, at La Vall\u00e9e Heureuse, we\u2019ve selected the best hikes in the Alpilles for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One thing is for sure, the Alpilles are full of hiking trails. And despite the rugged terrain, there are easy, even very easy, circuits. For us, it was tough to choose only four, but by focusing on variety, we’re pretty sure you\u2019ll find something you\u2019ll enjoy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We\u2019re cheating a little here, because there are many walks to do in Les Baux-de-Provence. But we want to tell you about a particular hike that combines geology and heritage. Quite normal when you’re in the heart of such an extraordinary limestone formation.
The trail starts at the Pavillon de la Reine Jeanne, a temple dedicated to Jeanne de Quiqueran, Baroness of Les Baux. It\u2019s 10 kilometers long and will take you to Fontvieille, before returning to Les Baux. Along the way, you\u2019ll pass old bauxite quarries, “boris” (stone huts), and impressive cliffs. The whole route represents a loop with an elevation of 240 meters. If you’re looking for an easy hike, we recommend the Chemin des Tr\u00e9ma\u00ef\u00e9, which starts at the parking lot on the D27A.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here\u2019s another trail to classify among the easy hikes in Bouches-du-Rh\u00f4ne. Ideal for a Sunday family stroll, the Castillon Towers circuit in Paradou is a real treat for heritage lovers. You\u2019ll discover the remains of the Castillon fortress, while enjoying stunning views of the Alpilles mountain range. A small loop of 5 kilometers, with an elevation of only 100 meters, perfect for all ages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s not every day you get to walk in the footsteps of a literary legend! With the Daudet Windmills trail in Fontvieille, you’ll discover the landscape that inspired “Letters from My Windmill” by Alphonse Daudet. Along this 2.3-kilometer loop, you’ll also spot an ancient Roman underground conduit and the irrigation canal of the Baux Valley. A trail filled with history and poetry!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Among the best activities to do in S\u00e9nas, we recommend the hike around the P\u00e9coule. At first, you\u2019ll be struck by this hill in the middle of the Durance plain. Then, you\u2019ll enjoy a fantastic view of the fauna and flora of the Alpilles. Along this 5-kilometer loop, you\u2019ll encounter bee-eaters and European rollers alongside the hoopoe, in a peaceful green setting. The perfect trail for a moment of communion with nature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We must admit, at La Vall\u00e9e Heureuse, we have a preference for medium and difficult hikes. After all, it would be a shame to spend a vacation in the Alpilles and not tackle some of the more challenging terrain. So here\u2019s our selection of hikes for those who want a more athletic experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Probably the most eclectic of the hiking trails in Provence. This 12-kilometer circuit, with an elevation gain of almost 300 meters, will take you through cultivated lands, such as olive trees and vineyards. Then, you\u2019ll enter the wilder side of nature on the Baumayrane crests. The winding paths of the Lombard trail may challenge you, but the view of Mont Ventoux will make it all worthwhile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Orgon is a wine town, and it\u2019s also where we\u2019ve set up our campsite. So, to take on the 14-kilometer loop of this trail, you won\u2019t need to travel far. Along the way, you\u2019ll pass vineyards, the Valdition estate (once owned by Fran\u00e7ois I), as well as typical Alpilles livestock, olive groves, and almond trees. Another great way to discover the fauna and flora of the Alpilles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is no ordinary hike, as it follows the old railway that connected Salon to Arles. You\u2019ll pass fields and typical regional crops: vineyards, olive trees, and fruit trees. But there\u2019s more! Over the 19 kilometers of this circuit, you\u2019ll encounter several oratories and the canal of the Baux Valley. And if you look up, you might even spot a great horned owl.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It would be a shame to explore the trails of the Alpilles Regional Nature Park without taking on some of the more demanding ones. Here\u2019s a list of the most challenging trails.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Saint-R\u00e9my-de-Provence is the perfect town for hiking. While there are easy and medium trails, we want to highlight a difficult one, which will take you 6 hours of walking. Starting from the Antiques parking lot (near the mausoleum of the Julii and the Triumphal Arch), you\u2019ll hike 16 kilometers through a land full of history. Between the archaeological site of Glanum and the Via Domitia (the oldest road in France), you\u2019ll be well-served. Don\u2019t forget the 450-meter elevation gain that will take you to the top of the Alpilles ridge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s not the elevation (barely 300 meters) that makes this trail difficult, but rather the constant ups and downs over its 10-kilometer stretch. That said, it\u2019s worth it. Between the different stunning views, geological formations like Le Gros Calan, and the majestic wildlife (you might even spot a vulture?), this hike will definitely impress you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
An unmissable hiking trail for lovers of walking in Bouches-du-Rh\u00f4ne. The Tour des Opies trail takes you to the highest point of the Alpilles range. And what a reward when you reach the top! You\u2019ll enjoy panoramic views of the Durance plains, the Camargue, and the Rh\u00f4ne River. You may even catch a glimpse of the Berre lagoon. But you\u2019ll have to earn it, climbing the 13.5 kilometers of the trail with an elevation gain of about 400 meters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That concludes our Top 10 Best Hikes in the Alpilles. We hope this has convinced you to come and spend your vacation with us. The next step is to book your hiking holiday at our campsite!<\/p>\n\n\n\n