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The departure point is the car park on the side of the D3 road just outside Bonnieux, heading towards Ménerbes.
(S/E) Head towards La Garenne for 1 km. This road also leads to the Vallon campsite. Just follow the yellow signs. Be careful, when you reach the campsite, turn left and follow the yellow signs. This path climbs, so don't get distracted when you start. You will come to a small paved road, which you follow for about 150 m. You will then come to an intersection.
(1) The marker is fixed to a tree on the left, about 2.5 m high, and is partly hidden by the foliage. Take the path on the left towards Les Cabanes for 1 km. After about 500 m, you will reach the D36 departmental road, which you cross to follow the D232 departmental road opposite for about 500 m.
(2) Leave the D232 and take a path towards Pas de la Truie, 2.4 km away. It's easy to follow the yellow markings and enjoy the stone walls and houses along the way.
(3) You will arrive at the edge of La Combette, with a panoramic view of the Grand Luberon and the Aigue Brun valley. Below you is the Apt-Lourmarin road. You will rejoin this road after a short but steep descent, passing under large boulders, one of which is balanced above your heads. Impressive. We reach the road at the Pas de la Truie signpost. Even though we are heading for the tower, we do not follow the signpost, as we are taking a shortcut. We go back up the road on the left for about 70 metres and follow the path on the right. There is an old wooden sign and, just after it, a yellow sign on a small tree.
(4) Turn right towards Grotte des Brigands (1.2 km) along a path that runs alongside the Aigue Brun stream.
(5) You will arrive at a very old bridge, the famous shell bridge. Built in 1722, this bridge is a listed historical monument. Its distinctive feature is the arrangement of the stones on its right arch, which resembles a sun and is truly beautiful. Continue straight ahead towards the road.
(6) You will rejoin the Apt-Lourmarin road. On the left, the Grotte des Brigands (Bandits' Cave) is 300 metres away. We did not see a path leading there. It seems to be via the road on the left, but due to heavy traffic and for safety reasons, we decided not to go there. However, we will still have to take the road on the right for 200 metres to find the path. (Extreme caution is advised).
At the third bend, continue straight ahead on the path and, after 100 metres, take a very small path on the left that goes uphill. Two small cairns (pyramid-shaped piles of stones) on either side mark the path. After another 100 metres, turn left again onto a path marked in green. after 1 km, you will pass a small ruined house. About 50 m after this, take the path on the right that climbs uphill, leading to a new path (100 m) that you will take on the left. A green cross will indicate that you are leaving the green markings. There will now be no markings until crossing point 7.
After about 500 m, ignore the path on the left. There is a magnificent hundred-year-old oak tree here.
Throughout this section, you will have excellent views of the Combe de Lourmarin, the side of the Grand Lubéron and the Montagne Sainte-Victoire.
You will now arrive at an olive grove, which you will go around on the right, following the edge of the field. You will need to climb a small wall, which is easy, just to avoid crossing the field and to stay on the edge.
(7) You will arrive at a dirt track, which you take to the right and then right again. You are now on a small paved road. You will see the yellow markings again. This section of the hike is in full sun, so a hat will be necessary.
(8) 1.3 km further on, you will come to a crossroads. Turn left towards Vallon des Bourras, still on a tarmac road, which will end after 1.1 km at a dirt track at a place called La Chambarelle. You will re-enter the forest.
(9) You will arrive at a crossroads. The landmark is an old sign with only the inscription "2000m" remaining and an orange marker below it. Leave the markers for the last time by turning right, then right again after 50 metres. Follow this path without any problems.
After about 1.1 km, continue on the path on the right and then 70 m on the path on the left.
(10) 250 m from the last intersection, turn left onto a very narrow, barely visible path that turns 90° and enters the undergrowth. Landmark: there is a large rock a few metres before this path on the left and, if you continue straight ahead, you will feel as if you are approaching a small clearing.
Walk through the undergrowth for about 250 metres. You will then come to a yellow-marked path, which you take to the right.
Follow the path and you will soon see the Philippe Tower ahead of you. When you reach the gate (leading to the tower but private), turn left. After about 300 metres, take the path on the right that leads to the tower. You will return via this path later after admiring the tower.
Once back from the Philippe Tower, continue along the path.
(11) You will arrive at a small paved road called Chemin de la Forêt. Turn right towards Lunel after 0.2 km.
(12) Leave the paved road and take the path on the left towards Bonnieux for 2.8 km
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(13) After 1 km, you will reach an intersection. There are two options (see practical information).
Turn right, after one left turn and one right turn, after 200 m, follow the path on the left.
(14) After about 350 metres, you will see the remains of the Gallic village on your left. There is an entrance fee of £5 per person. After visiting, continue on your way. After 100 metres, turn left. This will be the last intersection before returning to the car park (S/E).
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