In Trets, take the D6, which then becomes the D6B towards Pourcieux and Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume. About 600m after the wide path that leads to the Roquefeuille vineyard, leave the road for an open space on the right that can accommodate 7 to 8 vehicles. If you are coming from Pourcieux, the location will be on the left.
Blue signposting
(S/E) With your back to the road, follow the very wide path that passes under the railway line and then turns right immediately after. Cross the bridge over the Canal de Provence, ignore a turn-off on the left at a no motor vehicle sign and continue to a fork just after a metal barrier fixed in a vertical position.
(1) Leave the signposts temporarily and take a long straight path on the right, which serves as a shortcut. This path is blocked several times by uprooted pine trees (as of March 2018), which you will need to go around on the right. Join the wide track you left earlier and continue on the right until you reach a junction marked by a signpost.
No signposts
(2) Continue straight ahead until the next junction, where you should turn left at a 90° angle. Then climb gently uphill until you come to a wide stony track (yellow container opposite).
(3) Turn left and follow this track, which winds its way around several bends, following the contours of the land until you reach a large crossroads with an underground cistern. On the right, you can see the ruins of the Bergerie du Perdu in a pretty spot planted with sparse pine trees.
(4) Turn left, go along a short tarmac section and you will reach a wide pass planted with a few venerable pine trees, which offers a magnificent view of Sainte-Baume.
(5) Turn left, continue for about 500 metres, then leave the track and take a wide stony path that climbs up to the left with Mont Olympe in sight.
Blue markings on the ground, very old and very rare
After a relatively flat open area, the path rises steeply and the very steep slope requires you to take appropriate breaks. Higher up, the trail veers to the right and becomes more difficult to follow on the stony ground. At the foot of a small scree slope, pay close attention to spot the blue markings, which are very discreet and indicate that you should turn left. A few metres further on, you will come to a cairn with a more distinct blue mark on the ground.
The blue markings are more visible and more frequent
(6) Continue to the left, following the markings. Cross a few steep passages before reaching the summit, where you will find a large cairn made of stones and an unsightly block of cement.
(7) From the summit of Mont Olympe, the view is exceptional, taking in Sainte-Baume, Pic de Bertagne, Garlaban, Montagne Sainte-Victoire, Mont Ventoux and, on a clear day, the peaks of Mercantour.
No signposts have been spotted - rare cairns
Leave the summit heading east towards a small cairn that marks the start of a very discreet path for the first few metres. Follow this path, which alternates between ridge passages and fairly dense vegetation. Keep going in the same direction, ignoring a few discreet paths on the right, until you reach a fork marked by a large cairn.
Continue straight ahead to begin a short but steep climb. The slope levels out when you reach the Rocher de Onze Heures (imposing cairn). Less spectacular than its predecessor, this summit nevertheless offers a beautiful view of the Trets plain, Sainte-Victoire and, above all, the nearby Mont Aurélien.
(8) Continue along the path. After a short section of sharp limestone pavement, pay close attention so as not to lose the trail, which is very difficult to see on the stony ground, and make sure you keep heading east. A short descent leads to a wide track at a small pass.
(9) Turn left and descend to a wooden signpost. This section is with Sainte-Victoire in front of you, a magnificent backdrop that is difficult to take your eyes off.
Blue markings
(10) Leave the track and take a much narrower path on the left (the IGN map is incorrect here as the fork comes earlier). Begin a long descent, taking care of the stone slabs and pebbles that slip under your feet. Further down, a shortcut on the right allows you to avoid a short section where the path serves as a bed for a small stream.
(11) At a fork that does not appear on the IGN map (fluorescent orange arrow and letter P on a tree), temporarily leave the blue markings and turn right to rejoin them a little further on.
(2) Turn right. At the start of a right-hand bend (elevation 356), leave the track and follow the shortcut on the left that you took on the way there.
(1) Turn left, cross the bridge over the Canal de Provence and return to the start (S/E).

