The Pic des Mouches via the Sentier des Plaideurs and the Col des Portes

Coming from Vauvenargues, park in the first car park on the right, located about 700 m after the Col des Portes.

(S/E) Follow the path that runs alongside the D10, climbing up to the left to reach Col des Portes at an altitude of 631 metres. Follow the D10 on the hard shoulder for 450 metres until you reach a junction with the DFCI SV102 track and underground cistern no. 267.

(1) Turn left onto this horizontal track heading west. Please note: see the practical information section. Keep left at two successive track crossings and you will arrive at a Y-junction at an elevation of 510 metres.

(2) Turn left onto a pleasant path through the woods and arrive at a Y-junction.

(3) Turn left, heading southwest along a path through the woods that joins the Sentier des Plaideur trail, marked in green, further on.

(4) Turn left onto this trail. The difficulty quickly increases with rocky passages to cross. The climb becomes steeper with more and more rocks but remains accessible. You will arrive at a large cairn 100 m before reaching the top of a cliff at elevation 775. Admire the landscape. Take the opportunity to enjoy a well-deserved break.

(5) Enjoy a short descent through the woods before tackling the final steep and rocky climb (300 m). You will arrive at the Col de Suberoque (941 m).

(6) Join the GR®9 and head east towards Pic des Mouches. The view is magnificent. Follow the GR®9, which passes close to the ridges, with a few ascents and descents through the sharp limestone pavement. At an altitude of 975 m, there is a tricky section with chains to help you descend the rocks. Then a short, steep final climb takes you to Pic des Mouches (1,011 m) and its orientation table. Admire the 360° view.

(7) Continue east on the GR®9 and keep right at a Y-junction. At an elevation of 971 metres, take a short detour to the left to discover a huge chasm filled with vegetation. Take care. Continue on the GR®9 and arrive at the Oratoire de Malivert at an elevation of 775 metres.

(8) Leave the GR®9 and turn left onto the DFCI track, which descends gently. After crossing two cattle grids, you will reach the car park (S/E).

For information: the author took 4 hours 15 minutes to complete this route (excluding breaks).

At the start of the SV102 trail, pay close attention to the signs indicating areas and periods when large game (wild boar) is being hunted.