La Colette from L'Escale

By car, in the village of L'Escale, take the road to Coulayes. On the straight stretch, just after passing the last houses in the village, the road crosses the^GR®406. There is ample parking on the right at this point.

(S/E) Follow the^GR®406towards the Col des Pénitents. The climb is sometimes steep, on a stony logging track.

(1) Join the track, which also climbs to the Col des Pénitents, for just a few dozen metres. Then take the^GR®406on the left along a fairly steep track and arrive at the Col des Pénitents, which is a junction of tracks leading towards Mirabeau or Malijai.

(2) Take the very steep path on the left which climbs up to the ridge (trail markings). Stay on the ridge along the path that passes close to unmissable viewpoints until you reach the summit of La Colette at an altitude of 1,090 metres. The view stretches eastwards towards Digne and its distinctive peaks, westwards towards the Montagne de Lure, northwards towards the Monges massif and southwards towards Provence, the Luberon and Sainte Victoire.

(3) Continue along the ridge path and descend to a small pass where you cross the route of a^PR® trail^.

(4) Continue straight on, still along the ridge, and climb to the summit of Petit Ruth at an elevation of 1074 metres.
There are four Ruths on the IGN map; we call this one Petit Ruth.

(5) From this summit, continue along the ridge; the path is very well marked. Descend until you reach the Col des Bastides Blanches and the track. The meadows are tempting for a nap.

(6) Head west along the track towards L’Escale. Very soon, at a hairpin bend to the right, the path branches off opposite, heading south-west, marked with yellow^{PR® signs.} Follow this path/track until it joins the motorable track.

(7) Turn left to follow the^PR® along a track that is almost level until you reach a fork just before a power line.

(8) Before the pylon, leave the main track and the yellow markings to head eastwards, on the left. The path is no longer marked but very easy to follow. It starts with a fairly steep climb. The track levels out at higher ground then begins a steep descent. At the bottom of the descent, turn left and continue until you rejoin the^PR® marked path^.

(9) Turn right and descend along the marked path. The track widens and remains more or less level. Pass the 697m mark and, about 300m further on, reach a fork (at around 670m).

(10) Ignore the^PR® as it veers right onto a descending path, and stay on the track. At the first large bend to the left, you look down on the hamlet of Coulayes. Continue along the track until you enter the hamlet.

(11) As soon as you enter the hamlet, the track becomes a small tarmac road. Cross the hamlet and continue along the very quiet road until you reach your car at (S/E).

This route is demanding. The ascents and descents are often steep and stony (puddings are characteristic of the local hills). Pay particular attention to your footwear.