Le Paradou - Défends de Sousteyran

Description

Stroll through the "paradise" that the landscapes of this end of the Alpilles offer ! The tranquillity of the paths and roads of the Paradou commune will take you from the Défends de Sousteyran, to the superb Rochers de la Pène. These include the Tours du Castillon, a small heritage treasure of the Alpilles, as well as magnificent views of the southern foothills of the massif, including their highest point les Opies. Back to the car park, turn right on the road to Saint-Roch and join the crossing with the D17. (Caution, traffic) Cross it and follow the path of Burlande, signposted PR. 500 m further, leave the first road on the left to follow the second, following the sign "Fontvieille 10.3 km". Continue for 1 km. 1- At the intersection, turn left, following the sign "Fontvieille 9.2". (Caution, traffic) Reversing the D17 and take the path to Constemple, signposted GR® and PR. Climb on this marked path for 800 m, to join a DFCI track. 2- Take this track on the left, still signposted GR® and PR, passing a barrier. Continue for 500 m until you reach an intersection. Toggle on your left and follow for 1 km this path, marked PR, to reach a channel bridge 3- Join the D78e road and follow it straight ahead. After turning left, continue for 1 km along this road. Pass some houses, then take the asphalt road of Pas de Loche on the right. 4- At the level of a small pass, turn left on a path, marked blue on the ground. Continue for 1.7 km on this blue marked path, to reach les Tours de Castillon, passing through the summit surmounted by a cross. 5- Just after les Tours de Castillon, turn left and join an asphalt road. Walk on its left on 400 m, then in the bend turn left the path of Crèmades and the Pène. 6- At the end of the road, turn right to follow the D78e. Continue straight on for 1.2 km to the center of Paradou. At the intersection with a cross, take the road on the left and reach the starting point 150 m further.

Difficulty

Official rating: moderate, by Parcs naturels régionaux de Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur.

Before you go

• For your safety, and for the preservation of forest areas, access to natural areas is regulated from June to September. Inquire during the summer period on 08 11 20 13 13 (price of a local call) or on www.bouches-du-rhone.pref.gouv.fr Download the application for free MYPROVENCE ENVIE DE BALADE (available on Appstore and Android Market).

Getting there

Start: Parking des écoles, Le Paradou, Paradou (13).

Sources

• Track: Parcs naturels régionaux de Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (Chemins des Parcs), Licence Ouverte 2.0, Licence Ouverte 2.0 (Etalab) (www.cheminsdesparcs.fr/trek/62401-LE-PARADOU---Defends-de-Sousteyran). Time estimated by GPX Path with the Mac app rule, breaks not included.
• Official elevation gain: 152 m, Parcs naturels régionaux de Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur