Le Bau de l’Arc and the Crête des Gauthiers from Cuebris

Walk through Cuebris. On leaving the village, turn right at marker 85: the car park is about fifty metres further on.

(S/E) Walk through this beautiful, picturesque village in the opposite direction until you reach marker 84.

(1) Turn left onto an old path that leads downhill. This section is damp. Whatever the season – especially in winter – you must tread carefully to avoid slipping. Walk past the sewage treatment plant and the stream known as the Petit Riou, before reaching a bridge spanning a canyon with steep grey walls, carved out by the Gros Riou. Continue along this path to reach marker 88 at a bend.

(2) Carry on straight ahead for a few metres, then, just past the nearby forest gate, take the path on the left which winds its way through terraced fields in the woodland. Further on, this path requires caution, and a metal staircase has been installed in a rocky section. When you reach a three-way junction, ignore the right-hand branch and carry on straight ahead until you reach the next junction at marker 89.

(3) Turn onto the path on the left. Cross the Gros Riou, which is ‘gros’ (big) in name only. Continue along this stony path, which offers views of Cuebris throughout the climb; the village appears to be clinging between two rocky cliffs.

(4) Turn left at this crossroads of paths towards the Bau de l’Arc (marker 310). In the final metres of the climb, the forest path gives way to a rocky area marked with cairns.

(5) Summit of the Bau de l’Arc (alt. 988 m). This rocky plateau offers exceptional panoramic views of Cuebris, as well as the cliffs and the Crête des Gauthiers – our next destination, situated due west. Turn back.

(4) Turn left towards the Baisse des Gauthiers. The path winds through a sparsely wooded area and then through a marl zone marked by cairns. At marker 103, continue straight on towards the Baisse des Gauthiers.

(6) Marker no. 104 bears the inscription “Baisse des Gauthiers / altitude 814 m”. Cross the forest track at right angles towards the other marker 104 situated opposite, bearing the directional sign “la Pinea”. Head towards this marker and turn left at it, heading towards the start of the ridge, which can be made out about a hundred metres away through the trees.

Begin the ascent towards the Les Gauthiers ridge. There are no signposts or marked paths, but scattered tracks help you make your way. The vegetation is dense in places but always passable. Follow the Les Gauthiers ridge, which runs along the cliff edge overlooking Cuebris below. Take care on certain rocky sections. All along this long ridge, and a few metres inland from it, lies a geological curiosity: a sort of ‘spine’ made up of flat rocks, 1 to 4 metres high and running parallel to the ridge. Follow it by walking on top of it or alongside it, sometimes even along the rocky line where the slope breaks. The views over Cuebris are magnificent.

(7) At this point, turn left onto the descending path.

(8) At this old house in the hamlet of Les Gauthiers, the yellow markings are faded. Walk alongside the east wall of the house and go round it, as the path resumes at the south-facing side. Continue along the zigzagging path downwards.

(9) At this point, first turn right then left and take the descending path which leads out onto the Route de la Morge. Turn left onto this tarmac road, which leads downhill.

(10) Keep to the left towards the forest track. Turn right just after the barrier onto the yellow-marked descending path, which rejoins the Route de la Morge further down. Turn left and follow the tarmac road.

(11) At this point, leave the Route de la Morge and turn right onto a short path marked in yellow. After running alongside a terraced wall, this path becomes tarmac again and you enter the built-up area. Continue along the Route des Canabiers, which leads to a junction where the sign marking the entrance to the town of Cuebris is located. Carry on straight ahead along the Route de la Graou, then turn left to return to the car park (S/E).

Hiking boots and walking poles are recommended.

The walk does not present any particular technical difficulties, but the lack of a path between points (6) and (7) requires care.

There are no water points along the route.