From Max Nègre to the Fairy Cave

This hike follows small paths and forest tracks to reach Max Nègre, a remarkable geological site. The return route passes through the wild Joncas valley, where the Grotte des Fées cave opens up: a good torch allows you to visit the entrance for about thirty metres (stalactites and draperies).
This route should be avoided in hot weather.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 14.64 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 25 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 425 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 429 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 559 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 236 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Take the D122 before the entrance to Arboras. Park in the last parking space opposite the start of the hike.

(S/E) Take a clear path to the north-east, a little higher up, opposite the car park. Walk alongside the vineyards and then the heath.

(1) At the crossroads, take the path downhill to the right, markedPR®® in yellow.

(2) Take a small path uphill on the right and ignore the path on the left which leads to a field. Continue uphill until you reach a crossroads (signpost indicating La Cocalière) and continue along the path that climbs (red and white cross for theGR®® but yellow markings for thePR®®)

(3) Reach the Neolithic enclosure marked by a sign and continue along the path uphill opposite the enclosure. Continue along the track

(4) Take theGR®® which veers sharply left uphill.

(5) ContinuealongtheGR®® onthe left. Follow it to a wide crossroads with another track.

(6) Leave the track and take a small, more pleasant path on the left towards La Croix de Fer, then immediately to the right to avoid a large loop of forest track that you will rejoin further on and follow to the GR®® junction.

(7) Leave the track and take theGR®® heading to the right. At the signposts, turn left towards Max Nègre, then left again at the next junction.

(8) Explore the site at the first observatory, then follow the path to a second observatory (a beautiful spot for a picnic). Continue along the path until you reach a barrier.

(9) At the barrier, take the forest path on the right. Continue along it, ignoring all the paths and tracks branching off to the right and left.

(10) At this point, take a small path on the left, which is well marked but not signposted, leading down to the Joncas riverbed, which is steep and stony. Use the wide, clearly visible path opposite as a guide for the descent.

(11) At the lowest point, climb back up to the track (very steep slope) and follow it to the left.
(alternative: continue along the track at (10) to join the D122, then return to the trail at a cistern on the left of the road).

(12) At the crossroads, take the descending track on the left which naturally leads to the wild Joncas valley. Follow the path along the riverbed.

(13) Cross the riverbed.

(14) Just after a narrow passage between large rocks, you will find the start of the path to the Grotte aux Fées.
Please note that there are no painted markings to indicate the start of the climb. Landmark: a small tree with 2-3m² of cleared brush, from which the path to the cave climbs about 20m. Less visible, about 2m to the left, another well-marked path also leads to the cave.
Return to the stream bed and follow it to a crossroads with a track.

(15) Turn right and pass in front of a sheepfold. Reach the first crossroads to return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 286 m - Car park D122
  2. 1 : km 0.69 - alt. 256 m - Junction - turn right
  3. 2 : km 1.11 - alt. 241 m - Small path on the right
  4. 3 : km 1.65 - alt. 300 m - Neolithic enclosure
  5. 4 : km 2.64 - alt. 378 m - GR uphill
  6. 5 : km 3.65 - alt. 426 m - Crossroads
  7. 6 : km 6.06 - alt. 498 m - Small marked path cutting across the bend in the track
  8. 7 : km 6.5 - alt. 498 m - Departure of the GR to the right
  9. 8 : km 7.77 - alt. 535 m - Max Nègre
  10. 9 : km 8.12 - alt. 545 m - Take the track on the right
  11. 10 : km 10.23 - alt. 431 m - Start of the trail to the Joncas valley
  12. 11 : km 10.51 - alt. 386 m - Lowest point of the descent
  13. 12 : km 11.09 - alt. 376 m - Crossroads
  14. 13 : km 12.08 - alt. 296 m - Entrance to the riverbed
  15. 14 : km 12.28 - alt. 289 m - Fairy Cave
  16. 15 : km 13.56 - alt. 244 m - Crossroads
  17. S/E : km 14.64 - alt. 286 m - Car park D122

Notes

(9) A very pleasant spot for a picnic.
(15) The Fairy Cave: easy to visit, no caving required. A good torch will immediately reveal the draperies and various concretions.

Worth a visit

Neolithic enclosure (indicated by a sign).
Le Max Nègre and its impressive site.
The Grotte des Fées and its beautiful concretions.
The Old Bridge of Arboras.
Wine cellars of Montpeyroux, Saint-Saturnin.

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.2 / 5
Based on 31 reviews

Reliability of the description
3.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.3 / 5
Route interest
4.4 / 5
User 16780418

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 01, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant hike. Between points 11 and 12, take the parallel path above to avoid the particularly thorny stream bed and avoid climbing up a very steep path. The fairy cave is worth the effort as it is not easy to find. On the Visorando app, pass point 14 and the circle indicated on the app and climb up to the right. This hike is not recommended in hot weather.

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Denis3454
Denis3454
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 08, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The start of the route follows well-marked trails. On the way back, between points 11 and 12, it is best to avoid walking along the Joncas riverbed, unless you are looking for a challenge. The riverbed is full of thorns in places, and the climb back up to the trail is very steep and not easy to find.
To find the Fées cave, after point 14, take the path on the right after the narrow passage between the rocks.
The rest of the return journey along the Joncas riverbed is then stony but easy in dry weather. All in all, it is a very beautiful hike in good weather.

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celinemma
celinemma

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 06, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

At the end of the hike in the karstic cave, heavy rain had swollen the small stream, making the ground particularly slippery.
Best done with a GPS and definitely not in hot weather.

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Jeje34
Jeje34

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 26, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

DO NOT USE IN EXTREME HEAT

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Nadège12
Nadège12

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 26, 2023
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

The first part of the hike was very disappointing
From Max Nègre onwards, it became a little more interesting (magnificent views)
The Grotte des Fées cave was not easy to find (a red arrow on the ground helped us a lot), but it was well worth the detour!

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klerecroft
klerecroft

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 30, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

The hike was rather monotonous as it followed a forest fire road for most of the way. The rest of the trail had far too many stones and rocks, and a section between points 11 and 12 was very uneven.
Thanks anyway for this hike.

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jmborange
jmborange

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 30, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant hike for the whole family. Lots of road at the start (a shame), but then, finally, as you approach Max Negre, a more picturesque trail. Despite the elevation gain, we decided to do an extra loop via the Cirque de l'Infernet so we could fully enjoy the view from the heart of the cliffs and a beautiful GR trail below

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francine.lemestre@gmail.com
francine.lemestre@gmail.com

Overall rating : 1.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 15, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

We are average hikers. We were lucky to have followed this route because from point 11 onwards, the description is no longer valid.
It is impossible to find your way through the bushes or the completely dry river bed. Estimated to take 6 hours, it took us 7½ hours, including a lunch break at point 9. It was very hot, there is no shade and the section from point 11 to the end is uninteresting and very isolated.

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delforge.joelle
delforge.joelle

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 13, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike with stunning scenery. However, we were unable to find the fairy cave. It might be helpful to indicate whether the path to the cave is on the right or left, as this would be very useful. Perhaps a specific sign would also be helpful

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athmos.oner
athmos.oner
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 04, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Superb hike, I made a detour to see the Castellas again (30 minutes that are really worth it even if you've already seen it).
The start is indeed on wide forest roads, but the view is superb and very quickly you find yourself immersed in wilder nature, far from everything, with a series of viewpoints, each more beautiful than the last.
The picnic at Max Nègre is sublime, but it's the only busy spot on the hike.
Be careful, there is little shade on this hike and on windy days, it blows almost all the time and everywhere.

A few tips:
1) Stay on the main path and turn left just before point 4 (the passage between 4 and 5 is overgrown and there's nothing to see).
2) At point 12, stay on the main path instead of going to the bottom of the ravine, unless you like being bitten by insects!
3) Strangely, the IGN map is wrong for the fairy cave. There were three of us at the exact spot, but there was no cave. To find it, you have to pass the two rocks that are close together and walk a few metres, don't take the first path that goes up, continue a little further, a small rock separates the path, there is a red arrow painted on it, that's where you have to go up and the cave is 1 minute away.
See my photo.

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Clegouge
Clegouge

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 02, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant route, we encountered a few hunters who were happy to let us pass. The detour to see the castellas is a must to enjoy the view.
The passage through the rushes allows for a little imagination, and the cairns are easy to spot on the way back up. Access to the cave is very well explained on the information sheet. The cave is worth a detour if you have brought torches. The beautiful columns are unfortunately broken.

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bernbla
bernbla

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 07, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A nice hike, nothing more. Lots of forest firebreaks and very few single tracks. I don't really see the point of going through the river bed, as the path is poorly maintained, with large rocks to "climb" over, only to end up on the track a few hundred metres further on.

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francofel
francofel

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 15, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Very pleasant hike. The descent into Joncas is a bit unusual, especially when trying to find the place to climb back up

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philroute
philroute

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 25, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike with magnificent views. The first part on wide paths is a bit monotonous.
I would also advise against the descent into Joncas.
To find the entrance to the cave, follow the red dots on the ground.
A total of 17 km according to my GPS.

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coscoll
coscoll

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 05, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

there is an error in the directions:
at point 15, when leaving the reeds, do not turn left but right to pass in front of the sheepfold
and arrive at the starting point.

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