L'arche de garoute walks

This hike will take you across the Siou Blanc plateau. First, head south towards the Impluvium d'Orves, the Pyramide de Cassini and its fabulous view of Mont Caume and the Rade de Toulon, as well as the Grand Cap. Then head north overlooking the Gapeau valley to discover the Arche de la Garoute hidden in the woods of the Morières-Montrieux national forest.

The hike begins with a walk through the pretty village of Belgentier. It then climbs via theGR®9and 51 trails through oak and pine woods to the Pas de Belgentier. The trail heads south, offering magnificent views and some geological curiosities. The descent to the village is steep, along steep paths, and ends with a beautiful, partially stone-paved path in a pretty valley.

This hike leads to a popular hiking spot in the Var region, but via a lesser-known route and using a minimum of tracks.

The Siou Blanc massif is home to numerous karstic caves and caves. This hike will allow you to discover some of them, while enjoying the landscape via very pleasant trails.

Siou-Blanc is a vast limestone plateau stretching between the Route du Castellet, the Gapeau valley, the village of Signes and the summit of Mont Caume. Covering nearly 9,000 hectares, it features beautiful karst slabs, is covered in kermes oaks, dotted with karstic caves, grottos and sinkholes, and offers magnificent geological features. It is criss-crossed by a wide network of DFCI-type tracks but also offers numerous trails, some more clearly marked than others, providing access to unexpected sights.

This circular route passes through nine arches, including the famous Garoute Arch. This route offers a glimpse of two others that are very difficult to access and are not part of this route. First, you come across a beautiful viewpoint over the Îles d’Hyères, then a few charcoal burners’ huts, a walled rock shelter and a small cave that were used by the forest’s craftsmen. This trail allows you to appreciate the surrounding hills and the many rocks carved by erosion. There are other points of interest to seek out by straying from the trail, ‘following your instincts’, but this is best left to the experienced hiker with an adventurous spirit!Please note: some sections not shown on any maps require careful reading of the terrain, and as such, it is advisable to read the practical information carefully before venturing onto this trail.