Gaude, the dovecote of Montaigu

Description

Access : At Manosque, take the Voix road (D4096), then turn left to take the Chemin de Valverane and follow it to the end. Park on the left at the entrance of the ancient Gaude mines.

(D/A) Head north-westwards until you reach a path. Take the left, going through the barrier. Take this path alongside the amenities, leave the path to the right until you meet a fork in the path (1).

Leave the path, head towards the right at a right angle and take the small path heading east-south-eastwards. Climb this path which zigzags up and leads to a large path (2).

Take the left and carry on for 400 m up to the start of another path on the left (3). ("_be careful not to miss this path_"). Follow this path which curves to the left and leads to another path on a sharp bend.

Take the path on the right for 200 m until you arrive at a wooden post with a green band at the top situated on the left (4). Turn left on to the path which is poorly marked at the start. At the T-junction, veer towards the right to discover a magnificent dovecote (5). Turn around and go down the path which leads back to the path.

Turn right, passing the big bend, then take the path on the right. Head downwards to join the path a few metres from the point (1).

Take the path on the right and follow the outward route in the opposite direction back to the car park (D/A).