From Carros to Baou de la Gaude

Park in the village car park called Placo dou Pue next to the community centre.

(S/E) From the ramp at the end of the car park, start by walking through the streets of Carros village. Take the Carriero dou Distilado, the stairs called Escalie dou Casteu, then the Carriero dou Casteu alley to see the 12th-century castle at the top of the village. Walk past the chapel, along the Carriero de la Gleiso and the Camin de Roundo to reach the old town hall below and the village exit.

Yellow markings in place.

(1) Turn right onto the Route du Broc until you reach the first crossroads about a hundred metres away. At marker 26, turn left towards Sommet du Broc and take the first path on the right to marker 28. Cross the road carefully and continue towards Sommet du Broc. Walk past the beautiful terraces and the wash house, dating from 1872, and continue straight on to marker 29.

(2) Follow the signs to the left towards Sommet du Broc. Pass the ruins and an information panel called "le site de la Roche Fendue". Continue until you reach a barely visible crossroads marked by two cairns (one on the path, the other on the left).

(3) Leave the yellow markings and take the path on the left. Leave the path via a small step (like a kerb) and cross the terrace. A fallen tree slightly hides the start of the route. The steep path then branches off to the right. This path is clearly visible and climbs steeply. Halfway up the slope, cross a^second terrace, which is higher than the^first. Use your hands to help you cross it. After this^second obstacle, the path veers to the left and becomes a beautiful, wide forest trail. You will then come to a crossroads, which is not marked on the map. Turn left and continue through the forest until you reach the track.

(4) Head towards the nearby bend in the track, which is the start of a stony path. After a flat section, turn right at a rock and continue along the steep, well-marked scree slope, which leads to a barrier at marker 32.

(5) Continue right towards Le Broc via Le Claret. The track, lined with old terraces, climbs steeply. Continue along this rocky section . You will reach the crossroads at marker 56.

(6) Continue left towards Vallon de Sine. Here, begin the crossing of the Plateau du Monséguise, a bare and somewhat arid area. You will then come to a large crossroads of tracks suitable for vehicles.

(7) Turn left towards a small hill 300 m away. When you reach the top, the highest point is marked by a cairn about 2 m high.

(8) Head south-west towards a depression to find the track. Then begin an easy descent to reach an intersection: a gas pipe and a track suitable for vehicles with yellow markings.

(9) Turn right and then immediately left. Continue across the plateau on this wide track. In a clearing, you will find an unmarked crossroads.

(10) Turn right and continue downhill until you reach a cairn marking a crossroads.

(11) Keep to the right, where the track becomes a path. Continue to marker 75.

(12) Continue straight ahead towards Gros Chêne and Baou de la Gaude. You will reach marker 97.

(13) Continue straight ahead, still heading towards Gros Chêne and Baou de la Gaude. Pass in front of this remarkable oak tree. Continue for a few more metres to reach Baou de la Gaude.

(14) Retrace your steps, pass the old oak tree again and return to the crossroads at marker 75.

(12) Take the path on the right, continue downhill, and follow a large circular bend to reach marker 74.

(15) Be careful here, as there are two markers 74: at the^first, continue for about ten metres; at the^second, take the path on the left.Now movehorizontally along the buried canal. Overlook the village of Gattières before reaching the crossroads at marker 40. Please note that this is marked on the map but does not exist in reality; however, there is a newly renovated water point.

(16) Pass this point and stay on the canal, which sometimes narrows. Cross the gas pipe again and continue along the canal, which begins to descend into a small valley. Follow the canal through the woods. Be careful: the descent is quite steep in places and can be slippery depending on the weather. You will reach a crossroads at a water tower.

(17) Continue along the tarmac road, taking a few hairpin bends to reach the Oustau de Mouret crossroads.

(18) Turn left onto Chemin de l'Euze towards La Bachasse and you will arrive at marker 33.

(19) Continue along Chemin de l'Euze and then Chemin de Goubet, descend and reach a crossroads at the Carros post office.

(20) Turn left onto Route Jean Natale to reach the village exit and the multiple road junction you passed on the way there.

(1) Turn right, going in the opposite direction to the outward journey, for 80 metres and then turn left onto Chemin de l'Ubac to return to the Placo dou Pue car park (S/E).

Hiking boots and walking sticks are recommended.
No water on the route.

(S/E) The village of Carros.
(5) Crossroads at marker 32: see the orientation table here. Observe Carros village and the Var plain from this water cistern called Le Claret.
Between (11) and (12): see the Baou de Saint-Jeannet site on the right.
Between (13) and (14): the Gros Chêne, an old oak tree surrounded by four dry stone walls, with a circumference of 8 metres and an estimated age of between 350 and 500 years.
(14) Baou de la Gaude: a break is a must, as the view of the Var, the coastline and the city of Nice is truly breathtaking.
Between (15) and (16): the path along the canal runs parallel to the Var valley below. It overlooks the village of Gattières, with its ochre and yellow walls and golden roofs.