The car park is located at the end of Chemin de la Croix du Garlaban in Aubagne. Five or six cars can easily park there.
(S/E) Take the steeply sloping track northwards. Follow it for 1 km, ignoring the paths on either side, until you reach a fork.
(1) Turn left. This is the real start of the climb to Garlaban. Climb for 1600 m, ignoring two paths on the right.
(2) Continue straight ahead, ignoring a path on the left. Further up, continue to ignore the paths on the right.
(3) A small cairn marks the start of a path on the left, which is not very easy to find (a GPS is useful in this case). Continue climbing towards the south-west to go around the clearly visible rocky outcrop that marks the start of the Garlaban plateau.
(4) Follow the path along the ridge to reach the Croix du Garlaban and enjoy the 360° view.
(5) Descend via the clearly visible path to the northeast. This path often splits into several branches that all lead to the same point: a grove that marks the northern base of Garlaban.
(4) Head west to reach the track about 50 metres away.
(6) Take the clearly marked path directly opposite, heading due west.
(7) Turn right after 350 metres. A cairn indicates the right direction. Then tackle a relatively tricky descent (the Pas de la Heath) towards the Vallon des Piches. Beautiful views of this unspoilt valley accompany you along the trail, which is sometimes terraced.
(8) Climb to the left, south-east, towards the Baume du Plantier visible above.
(9) At this point, you have two options:
- either turn left to continue the hike.
- Or visit the cave known as Manon or Plantier, located at the bottom of a terrace. Walk along the edge of the terrace.
Continue along the path that climbs up the ridge and rejoins a track.
(10) Go up to the left and walk 1,600 metres to the foot of the Garlaban.
(6) Find a path at the edge of the Monolith that descends southwards towards the Pas des Quatre Fers. There is no room for error: there is only one path.
This path is a little difficult with a tricky section at Pas des Quatre Fers.
Continue down into the valley, ignoring two paths on the left towards the end of the route.
Find the track you took on the way up. Follow it in the opposite direction and return to the car park (S/E).