Moderator's note: since May 2021, the rope between points 10 and 11 no longer exists.
Drive up to the Cedar Forest car park in Bonnieux and park there.
(S/E) After the barrier, take the concrete educational trail on the right to read interesting information about the Forêt des Cèdres and admire the spectacular, strangely shaped cedar trees. At the end of this trail, take the Route des Cèdres on the right and continue until you reach the cistern on the left.
(1) In front of the cistern, take the path on the left. This path gradually moves away from the road and descends gently to the cliffs of La Roque des Bancs. Walk along these cliffs to the old sheepfold built under the rock face until you reach the start of the path on the left.
(2) See practical information regarding restricted access at (3).
Opposite the sheepfold, this path, which is barely visible and marked only by a few cairns, descends steeply towards the south. A few blue markings remain, but it is better to follow the GPS route. Please note that this path is very steep and rocky. You will need to hold on to branches and watch out for loose rocks.
Continue along this path until you reach the first fork, which is also difficult to see.
(3) Take the path on the left, which climbs slightly before running along the cliff to the Baume des Résistants (or Baume des Vaudois).
(4) At La Baume, take the path that descends the slope towards the south and then follows the cliff, ascending and descending slightly. The path is lined with caves, cliffs and rocky promontories offering superb views of the southern Luberon. Ascend slightly on the very steep and practically unmarked path. A few faded blue markings remain, but rely mainly on the GPS track until you reach a fork in the path.
(5) Take the path on the right, which descends very steeply through the rocks and then into a boxwood forest. Be careful, as the path is not very visible and is only marked by a few cairns. Follow the GPS track carefully.
In the hollow of the valley, climb the slope towards the Tête de la Barraque. Follow the ridge that climbs to the Crête de la Barraque almost to the old orientation table. On the right, you can see the arch silhouetted against the Durance plain.
(6) Just before the old orientation table, take the small, barely visible path that descends steeply to the Grande Arche. After admiring this arch, continue along the trail, which becomes increasingly steep. Be careful, as there is a large, difficult scree slope that must be descended with caution. Continue downhill to the track that supports theGR®97.
(7) Take theGR®97on the left and continue until you reach a hairpin bend, at the end of which a path leads straight ahead. Be careful, as theGR® markings are very degraded, so you will need to follow the GPS track.
(8) Leave the track and follow the path that rejoins the track, avoiding several bends at the Aire de Bosse cistern.
(9) Leave the track again and take the small path that goes straight ahead, avoiding another large bend.
Rejoin the track (GR®97) and follow it for two bends. At the end ofthe second bend, leave it to continue on theGR®97, which takes a pretty path through the Vallon du Gros Ubac.
Continue along this path until you reach a cistern where you will find the track again. Take it on the left until you reach the junction with the path that leads to the Vallon de Sanguinette. This path is marked by a sign indicating the protection of large birds of prey.
(10) Take this Vallon de Sanguinette trail on the left and follow it for quite a long time. It climbs gently along superb cliffs and caves until it reaches an intersection. Be careful, at one point you will encounter a "small wall" about 2 m high equipped with a rope, but it is not particularly difficult.
(11) Take the track on the right, which climbs very steeply towards Roque Haute. At the end of this track, join the path that leads back to the Cedar Forest, which you take to the right. At the next junction, keep left and continue along the path, which climbs gently. Turn left onto the path that leads directly back to the car park (S/E).
