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Park in the car park on Chemin des Encanaux, accessible from the road between Auriol and Plan-d'Aups-Sainte-Baume (car park very busy at weekends and in summer).
(S/E) Continue south on Chemin des Encanaux.
(1) At the entrance to Parc des Encanaux, take the wide track on the left.
(2): At Pont des Encanaux, find a path that heads south towards the clearly visible Bau Redon.
You can start directly on the left bank from the Pont des Encanaux, but be careful not to take the very overgrown path that continues westwards along the valley.
I recommend continuing a little way along the right bank from the Pont des Encanaux bridge, crossing the small river at a clearly marked crossing point and then turning immediately south, where you will find a very well-marked path.
(3) Follow the steep path to the top of Bau Redon, where you will find a magnificent view of the ravines and the Auriol valley. From there, walk a few metres south and descend into the scrub towards the west to find, at the foot of the cliff, first a small cave and then, about ten metres below, the Grotte des Chouans. This cave is said to have been used as a shelter in the 1800s.
(4) Climb back up towards the ridge. From this point, the path is not always well marked and is often hidden by thick scrub. Head slightly downhill towards the foot of the Tête de Chien, which is clearly visible opposite. The route continues along a trail on the eastern side of the Tête de Chien, which is more or less clearly visible (stay as horizontal as possible).
(5) Find a path leading straight up to the cliff. This path has been partially cleared and there are traces of it, but you will need to make your own way up as straight as possible to a short rocky passage that allows you to climb onto the ridge. This passage is equipped with a rope but can be crossed without it. Before climbing this passage, you can see the karstic cave de l'Espérance a few metres to the left, with a narrow entrance that goes deep underground. Do not enter: danger! Arrive at the summit of Tête de Chien.
On the left, you will see the upper opening of the karstic cave, a narrow opening that you should avoid. Still at the summit, you can walk about thirty metres north, closer to the cliff, for a magnificent view of the entire region.
(6) From there, head south-east along the edge of the cliff, staying as high as possible to avoid the scrub. There are several cairns here. You will arrive at a small pass with a well-marked path that joins the two ravines of La Coutronne and Les Encanaux. Head towards the Ravin des Encanaux via the obvious path that joins the riverbed.
(7) Cross the river and climb up a well-marked stony path towards theGRP® 2013. Once you reach theGR®, head left towards the western end of the Crête de la Lare, which offers a magnificent view of the entire region.
(8) Retrace your steps along theGRP®, a wide, well-marked trail that descends. It is not uncommon to encounter herds of goats (Rove goats, with large horns) that are raised on a farm in Plan d'Aups (for enthusiasts, goat's milk cheese is available for purchase there). Find the start of a path on the left, about a hundred metres before you reach the houses of Adret.
(9) Turn right onto the well-trodden path heading west, which is clearly marked. This will take you to the Ravin de la Coutonne.
(10) Leave the main trail and take a secondary trail which, after crossing the river, continues horizontally on the western slope of the Ravin des Infernets.
(11) Leaving the path on the left, climb about 15 metres, using your hands to make the passage easier, to find the Grotte des Morts (note that the IGN map places this cave too far south). This cave is shaped like a very narrow tunnel that you have to crawl through. It extends for about ten metres and ends in a small chamber that can hold two or three people. After visiting, head back down to the main trail.
(12) A few metres further on, on the left, you will find the entrance to the very large Grotte des Infernets. This cave is believed to have been occupied in prehistoric times.
(13) Continue along the path for another hundred metres and you will find the Abri du Figuier on your left, a shallow cave that provides perfect shelter in bad weather. Continue climbing a few metres towards the ridge and you will find a good path that descends alongside the Ravin de Dourengue. You will arrive at the Glacière des Encanaux, which recalls the days when ice was made during the cold season and stored for the whole year. From there, return to the car park (S/E).
Visorando Member
Moderate 
Association / Club / Walk leader
Easy 
