On either side of La Cause and Lake Zola

Coming from Aix-en-Provence, follow the D17 towards Le Tholonet (Route Cézanne). Park in the car park on the right just after the bridge crossing the River Cause.

(S/E) From this car park, take the D17 to the left then turn right onto Chemin de la Paroisse. Follow this small road for about 250 m. You’ll reach a junction where a track meets some footpaths, with a signpost.

(1) Take the middle path which climbs and follows the ridge of the hill, heading towards Lac Zola via La Risante. You’ll reach a Y-junction. Turn right onto the path that climbs. Keep to the right. You’ll reach a Y-junction and a cairn.

(2) Turn right into a hollow. After the climb, veer left and admire the cliffs overlooking the River Cause. Keep to the right until you reach a small open area and a Y-junction with two cairns.

(3) Turn right between the two cairns and descend rapidly into the valley to an old dam on the Cause. Explore the area. Opposite, you will notice steps carved into the rock. Do not go over them; return to the start of the dam.

(4) Follow the path that winds through the vegetation, skirting the river on the left. You’ll reach La Petite Mer, a small stretch of water. Cross the river (fording) and follow the path as it climbs steadily. At the top, continue left onto the purple-marked path, the one closest to the cliffs. Admire the scenery. Join the^GR® 2013 at the 300m mark. Turn left towards the Zola Dam, walk for about 300m and look out for a path on the right.

(5) Turn right onto this path and keep left to walk alongside the lake. Magnificent views of the lake and the dam. At a Y-junction, the path turns eastwards, skirting the Cause on the right. It then moves away from the river towards the south-east, following another stream bed. You’ll reach a junction of three paths.

(6) Follow the middle path then cross the dry stream bed. Turn left, follow the ledge, pass a cairn and rejoin the Cause. In the thick vegetation, look out for a path on the left that descends steeply towards the river.

(7) Cross the Cause via a designated ford. Climb up the other side, negotiating a few rocks. On the ascent, look out for a Y-junction. From this point onwards, a GPS becomes essential.

(8) Turn left towards the north onto the path which runs alongside and then gradually joins the end of a small valley. Cross it and continue westwards at a cairn. Follow the numerous cairns which are everywhere in this part of the route. You will reach a junction shaped like an inverted arc.

(9) Head left, then, about 200 m further on, turn right at a Y-junction onto the path that climbs slightly. At the top of the hill, you will find an old metal sign.

(10) Head back down, heading due north. Cross two stream beds in succession, alternating between south and north.

(11) Keep to the right as you climb up the rocky slope. You’ll reach a clearing and catch sight of Lake Zola. Take in the view. Head north-west again, crossing a few rocks and following the purple markings. Keep to the left, as close to the lake as possible, then walk back and forth across the dam. Then head north-east along the wide track, leaving it 20 m further on to the right. You’ll reach a Y-junction.

(12) Turn left, heading north. The path, which is flat at first, becomes steeper and more rugged. You’ll reach a hairpin bend.

(13) Leave the track and take the hairpin bend onto the narrow path heading south. Pass several caves that have been fitted out and protected by stone walls. You’ll reach a Y-junction and a cairn.

(14) Turn right onto the path that climbs, then, about 100 m further on, left to head back down. Turn left again about 50 m further on. You’ll reach a clearing, a cave and a magnificent view of the Zola Dam. Follow the ledge, then the path that heads back into the forest. You’ll reach a Y-junction.

(15) Head left, move closer to the cliff edge, then keep right at a Y-junction. You will rejoin the purple markings.

(16) Keep to the right and follow these markings. You’ll soon reach a Y-junction; turn right and, about 50 m further on, you’ll reach an X-junction.

(17) Turn right, heading west along a path well-framed by vegetation. Keep in this direction until you reach the wide^GRP® 653A track, which you should follow to the entrance of the Bibémus quarries.

(18) Head left and walk along the fence (palisade) marking the boundary of the quarries. Do not enter the site. After about 200 m, turn left towards a large boulder with a cave carved into the rock and a passage under a vaulted arch. Take in the views, pass under the archway and follow the path which alternates between rocky outcrops and vegetation. Further on, you’ll reach an X-shaped junction.

(19) Follow the second path on the left, which heads north. Keep right at a Y-junction, then return to the fork leading to the quarry.

(17) Continue straight on and return to the previous fork.

(16) Turn sharp right and follow the ledge. Pass by a beautiful cave high up. Please note that access is prohibited by two signs. Keep to the left, follow the stony path and rejoin the wide ochre track which winds down and leads back to the signpost from the outward journey.

(1) Walk down Chemin de la Paroisse, turn left onto the D17 and return to the car park (S/E).

For reference: the author’s estimated time for this route is 4 hours 30 minutes (excluding breaks)

Warning: some parts of the route may be slippery in wet weather or flooded after heavy rain.

Warning: the route for the second part of the route after crossing the Cause is very difficult to follow. There are numerous junctions and a multitude of paths. Many do not appear on maps, whilst others do not follow the routes shown on maps exactly. It is therefore essential to follow the route using a GPS, aided by numerous cairns along the way.
The number of waypoints is limited by the app. We had to select these points whilst trying to keep the comments as clear as possible.