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Coming from Mandelieu, at the Col d'Auriasque on the D7, take the first right onto the first track, which has no barrier. There is a large car park 100 metres further on.
(S/E) Return to the D7. Take care with the traffic and cross the road. The trail starts opposite, marked with yellow signs. Ignore the trail on the left and continue to the next junction a few dozen metres further on.
(1) Take the path on the right, which starts with two steep sections, making it the most difficult part to begin with; the rest is much easier. This section, exposed to the north, is covered with tamarisk trees.
(2) Continue straight ahead. Cork oaks, symbols of Mediterranean identity, begin to appear. Turn right at the next intersection, where the vegetation of broom, Aleppo pines and stone pines is dense.
(3) Turn right again, then keep left a hundred metres further on along a path lined with sparse oak trees. Just before the solar panels of the forest house, turn left to walk alongside it.
(4) Cross the Route d'Italie, which is a paved forest road with little or no traffic. Pass in front of the tank and turn left onto the stony track called "Aigre".
(5) At this bend in the track, turn right onto a beautiful path lined with dense Mediterranean vegetation. You will reach the next crossroads marked by a giant cairn (1 m high). From this point, you can clearly see Mont Vinaigre and its two towers.
(6) Just opposite the cairn, take the second path on the left, which is unmarked, and follow it. You will reach a clearing where the forest house called "Cantine du Porfait" stands.
(7) Head towards the building opposite the forest house. The path, which is a little faint at the start, continues to the left of this building and joins a track suitable for vehicles.
(8) Turn left.
(9) At the three-way junction (cairn), continue along the path climbing to the left to reach a junction in the shape of an inverted Y.
(10) Turn left and continue to the tarmac road (Route des Cols).
(11) This crossroads has a cement signpost from the forestry commission dating from the 1950s, a real antique. On the right, a path leads to a small cave. Then continue straight on along the Route des Cols: this section is not very pleasant as it is tarmac, but it is the only route possible.
(12) Turn right at the tarmac road junction.
(13) Leave the tarmac road and turn right onto the yellow-marked track that runs parallel to it.
(14) Turn right onto the path where there are a few arbutus trees among the heather and broom: end of the yellow markings.
(15) Leave the road on your left and continue straight ahead. The path winds its way through the vegetation and red rocks to reach the summit of Mont Vinaigre, at the junction with the concrete road.
(16) Take a break to admire the landscape. At this junction, on the left, the concrete road leading to the watchtower is closed by the presence of eco-guards. The purpose of the surveillance activities is to inform the public. Outside the summer season, it is open and it only takes a few minutes to see the surveillance site. Descend the road.
(17) Just after the helicopter landing area, go through the barrier towards the tower covered with antennas and 100 m further on, take the yellow marked path on the left: there is a wooden signpost, but it is too old and has become illegible. Follow the yellow markings, cross the road and take the path opposite until you reach the fork you passed on the way up.
(14) Continue downhill in the opposite direction to the outward journey on the track and rejoin the road, which you also crossed on the outward journey.
(13) Turn right and continue straight ahead on the track to rejoin the Route des Cols.
(18) Continue to the right and reach the crossroads at the Maison Forestière du Malpey. Turn left, go through the barrier and pass in front of the house.
(19) Keep to the right and continue on the tarmac Route d'Italie.
(20) Leave the Route d'Italie and turn right onto the Charbonniers track.
(21) Turn left at this crossroads of tracks and continue to a large junction.
(22) Turn left onto a poorly maintained track, where vegetation sometimes overhangs the path. You will come to a fork marked by a cairn (yellow markings).
(23) Turn right onto the path which, after a hundred metres, is lined with thorny bushes and takes you back to the starting point.
(1) Continue straight ahead on this descending path to rejoin the D7. Cross carefully and return to the starting car park (S/E).
Visorando Member
Easy 
