Arplane, via La Turra

To get to the hamlet of Le Lavoir by car, leave Valfréjus heading towards Le Seuil, and take the track on the right, just before the Refuge des Tavernes. It’s straightforward from there, provided you drive slowly.

(S/E) To start the walk, return to the car park entrance, walk back down a few metres and take the first bridge on the left.

(1) After climbing for about a hundred metres, leave the track and take the small path on the left: there’s a very clear signpost marked ‘La Turra 50 minutes’. The path then winds upwards, with plenty of signposts, cairns and blue markings. Pass the Chalet de la Turra and continue north-west.

(2) Take care at this section where the path is sometimes less visible; you should still be able to follow it, though. Enjoy the lovely view of the nearby peaks!

(3) Keep to the right in the bed of the (dry) stream as you descend, ignoring the balcony path opposite. At the next junction, keep to the right again. The path is then clearly marked: it does not appear on the IGN map but is clearly shown on OSM.

(4) Turn left and continue along the balcony path to Arplane, where there are several chalets in varying states of repair.

(5) Enjoy the lovely view, then retrace your steps.

(4) Turn left onto the path that descends towards Les Herbiers. The descent is quite steep!

(6) Head right towards Les Herbiers and join the track that crosses the hamlet.

(7) Turn right: note the wayside shrine on your right.

(8) Leave the track and take a path on the left through the woodland. Almost immediately, on the right, you’ll see the entrance to an old mine, with a mine cart still visible. Further up, rejoin the track and follow it to the left.

(9) First turn left then right, and continue to the Lavoir car park (S/E).

This is a very quiet walk, at least until you reach Les Herbiers.

From Arplane, the summit of Le Truc is about an hour’s walk one way. You can see it very clearly from the path. The view from the summit is exceptional.

From the car park, you can pop into the cheese shop. In 2023, the cheese shop was open every day from 3 pm to 6 pm. Alternatively, if you walk past the right-hand side of the building (the former barracks), you’ll be treated to a lovely view of Valfréjus.