The Watchtower by the North Slope in Les Baux-de-ProvenceA circuit on the north slope of the Alpilles on good tracks nice, overlooking cross-shaded valleys and ridges that offer views on all sides of the Alpilles. The view goes far beyond this. The tour starts with a track which “keeps its cards close to its chest”. Apart from the return by the GR 6, you will meet few if any other people on this route that is far off the beaten track.
Calculated time: 2h50[?] 
Distance : 8.04km
Vertical gain : 238m
Vertical drop : 238m
Highest point : 287m
Lowest point : 143m 
Difficulty : Average
Back to starting point : Yes
Walking
Area : Alpilles 
Location : Les Baux-de-Provence
(13520)
Starting point : N 43.752254° / E 4.793554° Access
From Les Baux-de-Provence, take the D27 towards Maillane. At the pass, shortly after the road cuts between the rocks and just before heading back down, turn right onto the paved road that goes up to the viewpoint. Car park right in front of this rise before the first turn.
GR markings - White and Red
Opposite the track, turn right, pass close to a remarkable rock, pierced by erosion. A hundred metres away, be very careful: the foot of a hill, on the left starts, a hidden track by a pine leaning.
No markings
(1) Pass the fence and take the track that starts out as a ledge and follows the contours of the hill. It descends gradually. At an intersection, turn left onto the trail that leads down perpendicular to another track. You discover an open space dominated by a large pine tree.
(2) Turn to the left. Pass alongside a water tank (No. 51) and turn right. Soon after, leave this track which joins the D27 road and turn right between the bushes. At the next junction turn right again. The track takes hairpin bends to climb up the ledges. Ignore a track that heads down to the left (this is actually the trail from earlier left before the hairpin and which joins back up with it). Continue straight ahead to the next intersection.
(3) Turn left and keep to the track that descends into a sharp turn. Ignore the one which, in a turn, goes down to the right. The trail rises gradually and then becomes increasingly steep in a hairpin bend. It opens onto a ridge with views over Mont Ventoux. In passing, note the small "structures" of stones (4) erected by children from a day camp. The trail descends to a water tank and another track coming from the right.
(5) Continue straight ahead and ignore the path that starts on the left. Join the main trail used by the GR 6 at the foot of the hill where the watchtower is.
GR markings - White and Red
(6) Turn right and follow the main trail that takes you to the car park. Ignore all tracks left and right. Pass near a water tank (7), cross a fence to find the paved road. Here you can follow the paved trail to the car park or up to the right (8) right to the viewpoint (or what remains of it) for a 360° panoramic view. This is the option I chose for my hike. You will find the trail back down to your left facing Baux (you can also go to the right, but it is a little “steep"). You complete your circuit by the "hidden" trail (1) and come to the car park.
Waypoints :
D/A : km 0 - alt. km 0
1 : km 0.15 - alt. km 0.15 - Pass the fence and take the track
2 : km 1.88 - alt. km 1.88 - Turn to the left
3 : km 3.46 - alt. km 3.46 - Turn to the left
4 : km 4.18 - alt. km 4.18 - Small stone constructions
5 : km 4.67 - alt. km 4.67 - Continue straight ahead
6 : km 5.38 - alt. km 5.38 - Turn right on the GR 6
7 : km 7.12 - alt. km 7.12 - Water tank
8 : km 7.59 - alt. km 7.59 - Branch to the viewpoint
D/A : km 8.04 - alt. km 8.04
We advise taking IGN maps with you on this walk. Click here to buy : 3043OT.
Hikideas and this author cannot be held responsible in the case of accidents or problems occuring on this walk.
Option to climb to the watchtower for a 360° view, but it will add altitude.
Global average : 4.7/5
Number of opinions : 23
Description quality : 4.59/5
Routemap quality : 4.87/5
Walk interest : 4.65/5
Global average : 5 / 5
Date of walk
: 04/04/17
Description quality
: Very good
Routemap quality
: Very good
Walk interest
: Very good
Great walk in spring when not too hot. Lots of wonderful views and wildflowers. Very easy path to follow. Thanks very much for posting this walk, we loved it!
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