Lake Gabre de Gourin from the Col de Belle Barbe

Park at the Col de Belle Barbe car park.

(S/E) Head northwards along a path running perpendicular to the main track. You will soon reach a three-way junction; keep left, following the blue markings. The path continues to climb, then, as you approach the Col Aubert, the gradient levels out, leading you to the pass.

(1) Take the path down to the left. After a few hundred metres, you’ll reach Lac d’Aubert, which is more like a pond in size. It’s covered in water lilies in late spring.

(2) Return in the opposite direction to Col Aubert.

(1) Take the track on the left to Col du Baladou.

(3) Take the yellow-marked path leading uphill opposite and head for the multi-directional junction at Col du Perthus.

(4) Leave the marked trail when you see a Yellow Cross painted on a tree. Take the small path starting to the right of this cross (heading west). Follow it in wide switchbacks to the bed of the Perthus stream.

(5) Cross the stream and continue along the path, following the stream northwards to a signpost indicating Les Cantines.

(6) Turn right, cross the bridge and this time follow the bed of the Gabre de Gourin. You will reach a tricky section.

(7) Take care here: cross the tricky section where the path has collapsed. Continue until you reach a wider track. Take this track straight ahead, keeping to the right for about a hundred metres. You will reach the ford.

(8) Look again for a Yellow Cross. Take the small path on the left. Reach the end of Lac du Gabre de Grouin.

(9) Retrace your steps back to the crossroads at the ford.

(8) Turn left, cross the concrete ford over the stream on the left. Follow the wide track uphill to a hairpin bend.

(10) Take the small, rather inconspicuous path opposite, situated between the rocks. Continue to the junction at Baisse de la Petite Vache.

(11) Take the^GR®51path on the right. Return to the Col du Perthus junction passed on the way out.

(4) Turn left onto the downhill path; shortly afterwards, you will come to the track. Continue over the bridge and arrive at the Col du Baladou, which you also passed on the way out.

(3) Follow the route taken on the way out in the opposite direction to reach the initial junction at the Col d'Aubert.

(1) Continue along the reverse route of the outward journey to return to the Col de Belle-Barbe car park (S/E).

There are no water points along the route. Take precautions, especially in hot weather. The Estérel is known for being a furnace in summer.
Be prepared: in very hot weather and when the mistral is blowing, the Massif may be closed due to fire risk. Check here
Wear sturdy footwear as the paths are stony.
Please note: from June onwards and throughout the summer season, the Col de Belle Barbe is closed to motor vehicles at weekends. In this case, you must park at the car park by the Gratadis forest house, which adds about 1 km to the total route.

The two lakes are particularly spectacular from late May onwards, when they are covered in pink and white water lilies.
Along the route, you will come across numerous trees and shrubs: myrtle, arbutus, cork oaks, eucalyptus, pines, and a variety of plants depending on the season: asphodels, rockroses, heather, and everlasting flowers.