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On leaving Solliès-Toucas, take the road to Vallaury then the Siou-Blanc Forest Road. After the buildings at Morière le Cap and the climb that follows, the forest road makes a hairpin bend to the left. Leave the forest road via the track on the right (elevation 582) to the car park at the barrier.
(S/E) Follow the Piste du Centre uphill towards the high-voltage power lines. You will reach a Y-junction (elevation 617) with a water tank at the fork (STS 14). Continue along the wide track to the left. 600 m further on, the track curves to the left. Leave it and continue along the track running parallel to the main track.
(1) In an open area, a large Y-junction with a ‘giant cairn’ and a pond in the centre. This large cone built of dry stone is quite a sight! Take the track on the right. This path crosses the pass between Bouche Ouinte and joins a wide track at elevation 634. Head up to the left at the track junction (about a hundred metres before this junction, a small, well-marked path leads directly to the junction). Continue north along the wide track for 300 m, until the hairpin bend on the right. Leave this track and continue along a lovely path through the woodland which descends for about 1 km to theGR®9track.
(2) At the La Lucrèce signpost, head up theGR®9 towards the Aiguilles de Valbelle. Cross the site to the Valbelle gate, then continue along this wide track to the first hairpin bend on the left, heading downhill. At the start of the bend, take the path that winds uphill to the right. This lovely path climbs steadily through the woodland to rejoin theGR® further east. After 150 m, you’ll reach the 549-metre point.
(3) At the Grand Pas signpost, a large Y-junction with a water reservoir in the centre, leave theGR® and turn right onto the track leading uphill for about 250 m until you reach the start of the concrete track. Turn left onto the path heading due east. This crosses the Ubac de Valbelle for about 2 km. At the first junction, continue right along the path climbing steeply. Reach a beautiful basin on the rocky outcrop. A stunning view of the Adret de Valbelle and, beyond, the Barre de Cuers.
(4) Continue to the junction with the wideGR®51track – elevation 581m.
(5) At this junction, immediately take the stony path branching off to the right and, after a few steps, reach the beautiful Garoute Arch. Continue the climb for about 800 m along a lovely path to the Pas du Pilon at an altitude of 750 m. Along the way, “la Croix de Garoute” offers a beautiful karst slab and fine views to the north.
(6) At the Pas du Pilon, leave the path to the right to reach the high point a few dozen metres away. This rocky outcrop offers a 360° panorama. Return to the path and head downhill. Less than 100 m further on, take the small track to the right. There is a small cairn, but numerous traces of fluorescent red paint on the trees mark the route of a trail—unsightly but useful. This path, which crosses the Barre des Bidoufles, is not shown on the IGN map.
(7) The pretty path winds its way between beautiful rocks and leads to an area that has undergone ‘aggressive’ clear-cutting. At the end of this area, look out for the track heading left into the woods. Continue along the path until you reach a junction. Turn left.
(8) From here, be careful and pay close attention, as the path winds through a tangle of stones and branches, often hidden by a carpet of leaves and reshaped by wild boars. A beautiful, somewhat chaotic rocky area that requires vigilance and a good sense of direction. After about 500 m of uneven track, facing east, you’ll reach the surprising Hippopotame des Morières rock.
(9) Hippopotame des Morières: a spectacular flat arch hidden by vegetation. Continue for about 300 m, steeply downhill, along the equally rough path until you reach the junction with a good track.
Follow it downhill to the Citerne Neuve.
(10) From this cistern, continue to the junction with the wide track at elevation 596. Keep left on this track until you reach the large cairn. From this point, leave the track via a small, poorly marked path on the left through the undergrowth, which climbs towards the rocky ridge. About 300 m further on, you’ll reach a junction of paths. Please note that from this point onwards, the paths and points of interest are not marked on the IGN map. You must therefore remain vigilant.
(11) From this junction, a round trip of about 400 m takes you to the magnificent Baume Dei Lumes.
(12) Baume Dei Lumes: 140 m past the junction, at the foot of a tree, to the right of the path, a cairn leaning against a tree marks the start of the path leading to the cave 60 m further on.
Although called a cave, it is more of a chasm with relatively easy, almost horizontal access. The cave is adorned with numerous particularly beautiful stalactites and stalagmites. You will, of course, need a head torch and possibly a short rope to secure your descent.
(11) Back at the junction, follow the path heading south-east, which joins the rocky ridge and follows it.
The path crosses a beautiful rock slab adorned with pretty cairns and offering a stunning view. Stay focused! A few dozen metres further on, there is a small cairn and a red marker; then, on the left, a path climbs steeply for a few dozen metres towards the beautiful karstic cave of Aven des Cistes.
(13) Aven des Cistes: it has an entrance section of 2 m and a depth of 149 m. Return to the path.
Walk along the rocky ridge; about 100 m to the left lies the Grotte des Lumes.
(14) Grotte des Lumes is also known as Abri de l’Avelanier. It was developed by shepherds. Continue along the path, marked with large red dots, which descends to Baume du Paradis.
(15) Baume du Paradis, decorated with stalactites, has been fitted with a metal tray to collect the water dripping from the ceiling. Continue the descent towards the bottom of the valley.
(16) The return route passes by a beautiful well, which is difficult to find despite some red markings. Continue to the car park at the start of the Piste du Centre (S/E).
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Visorando member
Moderate 
Association / Club / Walk leader
Easy 
