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For this hike, go to the village of Riboux at the foot of the south face of Sainte-Baume. Park in the car park at the entrance to the village.
(S/E) Head east and follow the tarmac road that climbs towards Pé de la Colle without leaving it. Stay on the tarmac and do not take any other paths, either to the right or left. After heading due north, turn north-east and go through a first left-right bend. Further on, go through a hairpin bend on the right.
(1) A few dozen metres after the hairpin bend, take a path on the left, first heading north-north-west and then north. Pass under a power line and continue up a steep climb. Looking back, you can admire the panorama of the entire southern part. Turn right at the hairpin bend (hunting lookout post on the right) and arrive at the first intersection.
(2) Turn sharply left. Continue climbing through the scrub and pass close to large rocks that appear to have been carved by human hands (photos).
(3) When you reach a cairn, the path winds through the scrub on the right. At this point, the climb becomes steeper and the path narrower, leading to an intersection with a path marked in yellow.
(4) Turn left and follow the markings all the way to Col du Saint-Pilon (360° panorama).
(5) Take theGR®98on the left, heading west. Pass close to the chapel and follow the Sainte-Baume ridge without leaving it until you reach Col du Fauge. After the chapel, there are beautiful views of the north-facing cliff. Feel free to get closer, the overhangs are very impressive (but be careful).
Pass the Pas de la Cabre and then a military site, which you can bypass by walking along the fence.
(6) At Col du Fauge, turn right towards Pic de Bertagne, following the yellow markings. At the summit, enjoy panoramic views over the entire Gémenos valley, Aubagne, the Étoile massif, Galaban, and more.
(7) Retrace your steps back to the Col du Fauge.
(6) At the pass, turn right (south) onto the path that descends steeply towards Col de l'Aigle, still following the GR®.
(8) At the Col de l'Aigle, leave theGR® and take the wide track that branches off to the left and stay on it.
(9) At the intersection, turn left and continue along this wide path, without leaving it. Pass in front of Jas de Sylvain (photos), leaving it on your left.
(10) At the crossroads (cistern), continue along the track to the east (first left). Cross two streams and then pass under a power line. Pass above Jas de Frédéric on the right (photos). Do not leave the wide track, continuing straight ahead.
(11) You will come to a crossroads at an elevation of 634 metres, after Jas de Frédéric. Continue straight ahead, ignoring the path that veers off to the right. Immediately after, ignore the path that veers off to the left. After a right-hand bend, stay on the main path, heading south-east.
(12) At a crossroads with a cistern opposite, turn sharply left. You will pass a path on the right and another on the left; ignore them and continue to the next crossroads. Follow the track on the right.
(13) When you reach a bend, take the path that descends through the woods on your left, marked by a cairn. Be careful, as deforestation makes the path difficult to identify.
(14) At the next intersection, take a deforestation path on the right for a few metres. Immediately take the first path on the left to reach a magnificent clearing. Stay on the path that descends through the woods and leads to an intersection.
(15) Turn left again to rejoin the tarmac road that climbs up to Riboux.
(16) Take the road on the left and you will find yourself back at the car park (S/E).
very beautiful hike.
Visorando member
Moderate 
Association / Club / Walk leader
Extremely difficult 
