From Gattières to Carros le Vieux via the Canal de la Gravière

Park in one of the car parks in the village of Gattières. Start with a short stroll through the heart of this old hilltop village to discover its pretty narrow streets, small flower-filled squares and beautiful old fountains.

White and red markings

(S/E) The starting point is located at the only roundabout in Gattières. Take the Route des Sauces opposite until you reach the entrance to the village cemetery. Marker 61 is located here. Turn right at the start of the^GR®51trail.

(1) When you reach Chemin des Féraillons, which is a tarmac road, follow it, ignoring the other tarmac roads. At the end, our wooded trail begins. When you reach marker 71, turn left onto Vieille Route de Carros until you reach marker 72.

(2) At this point, turn right onto the Bézaudin uphill path. Continue straight ahead; our trail follows the asphalted section. After marker 73, the trail winds its way up to marker 74.

End of the white and red markings

(3) At this crossroads, turn right onto the flat path. Walk along an underground water pipe. After a short walk, stop to enjoy the views.
Our trail overlooks the Var valley and the circular village of Gattières. To the south, you can see Cap d'Antibes.
Continue along this path, which also offers views of the Mercantour. A few rare cement markers with the inscription SIEVI (Syndicat Intercommunal Estéron et Var Inférieur) line the canal.

(4) Marker 40 is located here (there is an error: marker 40 is incorrectly positioned on the map). Keep to the left at the same level as the canal. Do not go down the nearby path. The water pipe becomes visible, the path descends steeply and crosses a wooded area. You will come to the tarmac road called Chemin du Clos Ripert, which you should follow.

(5) At the crossroads, turn left and continue along Chemin de l'Euze. Pass marker 33 and continue along the tarmac road.

(6) At this crossroads, turn slightly left onto Route du Monastère du Carmel de Carros. Take a look at this beautiful religious building, which was constructed recently (1970). Take care on the road. Turn around.

(6) Turn left onto Chemin du Goubet, which descends towards the village of Carros. Ignore the intersections. You are now within sight of the nearby village of Carros. At Chemin de Claret, first turn right then left to reach the M1/Carriero Fernand Barbery crossroads, which is the entrance to the village of Carros le Vieux.

(7) Enter the old town via Carriero Fernand Barbery. At^{the first} crossroads, turn left onto Carriero de l'Uba. After about 50 metres, take the stone staircase on the right called "la Mountado Laurent Spinelli". When you reach the north side of Carros Castle, turn left to reach the main entrance. Visit the premises that house the International Centre for Contemporary Art.

(8) At the exit, turn immediately right onto Carriero de la Gleiso paved slanting street, also known as Rue de l'Église. Then turn right again. After the wash house, turn left to reach the crossroads you passed on the way there.

(7) Cross the crossroads to the left and take the tarmac road Jean Natale. Watch out for traffic. Stay on this road until you reach marker 35.

(9) Turn right onto the path leading up to the Canal de la Gravière. After barely 100 metres, turn left onto the asphalt road called Chemin du Clos Ripert and follow it until you reach marker 36.

(10) Leave the Clos Ripert road and continue straight ahead to the next intersection.

(11) Pay attention. Turn right and, 20 metres further on, turn left onto this steeply ascending asphalt road. Continue to marker 37. Leave the asphalt road. Five steps on the right lead to the path. Head towards the Canal de la Gravière.

(12) At this tarmac crossroads, marker 38 is missing. Turn right and continue along this beautiful wooded track. At marker 39, turn left. Pay attention as the large pile of leaves makes the path less visible. The path passes to the right of the farmhouse that can be seen below. Return to the road. At marker 70, turn right onto the Chemin de la Source Saint-Martin and continue for about 200 metres.

(13) At the bottom of a short descent, turn left onto the path that runs alongside a green wire fence. Continue along this beautiful wooded path. At the^first crossroads, there is a cairn. Continue straight ahead. At^{the second} crossroads, turn left onto the paved slanting street. Cross the old Carros road, marker 68, then take a slight right onto the paved slanting street that descends.

(14) At this junction with Chemin Saint-Martin, turn right. We enter the town of Gattières. At the^first intersection, turn left onto Chemin des Hespérides, which leads back to Gattières and the M2209 road, also known as Route de Carros. Turn right. The Gattières roundabout, which is our starting point (S/E), is 200 metres away.

Hiking boots and walking sticks recommended.
Food and water available in the villages of Carros and Gattières
No water available along the route

- The hilltop village of Gattières, located below the Baous mountain range, offers beautiful medieval streets, small flower-filled squares and ancient fountains. The eastern part of the village offers magnificent views over the Var plain.

- The chapel of the Carmelite Monastery in Carros is open

- The old village of Carros has a 12th-century castle in perfect condition overlooking the old town. This castle houses the fascinating International Centre for Contemporary Art (free admission). Let yourself be guided through the village's narrow paved slanting streets.