Date of your route : May 06, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No
We had a bit of a tricky start because the directions weren’t always clear, which meant we wasted 30 minutes trying to find our way. Even so, the view was magnificent.
Regarding corrections:
At the start, do not park at the Puits Raimu car park. The car park is small and the access road is narrow: in some places, two cars cannot pass each other (there are sections where traffic must take turns). Be careful if you are on foot.
We chose an alternative route that adds about 1.5 km: start from the Font de Mai car park, then follow the sign for ‘Sur les pas de Marcel Pagnol’. You’ll see signs along the way indicating private roads, but you can use them. There are two options: either follow the road to the Puits Raimu car park, or go through the Font de Mai estate (a large stone wall with a big wooden gate).
In the park, opposite the large sign showing the hiking trails, turn left, right next to the bins (not very charming). A small sign indicates donkey hire. Follow this path for a few metres: you will be running parallel to the road leading to the car park (route to the Puits Raimu car park, Chemin de la Font de Mai). At the end of the path, you’ll reach a junction: take the path on the left and follow the blue markings. Please note: you must take the path on the left, and it goes uphill. You’ll then arrive at the car park.
The signs for “Mas de Massacan” are not visible, and the three-way junction is not a reliable landmark. At the end of this path, near the restaurant, turn right towards the bike hire. Follow the Chemin de la Font de Mai to a metal gate. You will find a sign stating “You are in a nature reserve…”. Follow the path towards Angèle’s farm (blue markings). You can take a detour if you wish.
Then continue towards the Col d’Aubignane and the Grotte de Manon (blue markings). You will come to a large open area with high-voltage pylons. Near a tree, signs indicate the various routes: take the one towards the Grotte de Manon and follow the yellow markings on the ground. On the ground, you will see a sign pointing towards “Mont Garlaban / Grotte de Manon”: do not follow it and continue straight ahead on the path. You will be going downhill: be careful, it is quite steep.
At the bottom of this descent, turn right until you reach a large tree. Facing it, turn right again, then continue along the path. You will come to a left-hand bend: do not take it and continue straight ahead along the small path (no markings). This path is rarely used, so there is vegetation: follow the path on the ground and stick to it. Further on, the path opens up; you’ll likely come across joggers as well as small cairns left by hikers. Always follow the clearest path. Once you reach the final point, turn back and retrace your steps. There are some lovely photo opportunities.
Allow between 3½ and 4 hours for this hike, not 2 hours 20 minutes as indicated. Take breaks as some sections are tricky. Your phone’s GPS doesn’t work everywhere, particularly at point 4 where you’re in a hedge: the VisoRando app stops working or gives completely incorrect readings. Bring a long-sleeved jacket, a cap, 2 litres of water per adult and a small snack. Don’t set off in trainers; wear proper walking boots instead, as there are lots of protruding and slippery stones.
Enjoy your hike in this magnificent area which, despite a few challenges, is well worth the effort.
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