The summit of the Barre de la Roche-des-Arnauds via a circular route from Les Baux

Head to La Roche-des-Arnauds via the D 994, then take the road towards Les Roux, then the hamlet of Les Baux. Park on the Les Baux plateau, near the Fontaine Bomboute or in the hamlet.

(S/E) Take the path heading due north and reach the hamlet of Serre Lambert.

(1) Continue along the path to the left. Follow the left bank of the Béal de Pré le Bayle until you reach a fork in the path.

(2) Turn right and continue the fairly steep climb to reach the ridge of the Barre cliffs.

(3) Turn left to follow the ridge and climb to the summit of La Barre. The summit ridge is flat, but follow it carefully, minding the cliff in places.

(4) Continue along the ridge to descend and quickly reach the Col des Roux.

(5) Turn right, heading due north, onto the path descending into the forest. Important note here: take care to stay on the route as, on this forest section, the path can be steep in places.
Head to the junction with the Sentier des Avalanches.

(6) Turn right onto it, heading slightly uphill, and you’ll come to a Y-shaped junction.

(7) Keep to the right and continue the climb. Leave the woods and finish the climb in the clearing to reach the junction, passed on the way up, at the Crête de la Barre.

(3) Cross over to the southern slope of La Barre and rejoin the ascent route. Follow it in the opposite direction to return to the Fontaine Bomboute car park (S/E).

(S/E) Fountain in La Roche-des-Arnauds (village) and at the starting point (Fontaine Bomboute).
(5) Shelter available at the Col des Roux hut; it is always open.

Alternatives:
- shorter routes by turning back once you reach the ridge (elevation gain 450 m, total time 2h45) or at the summit of La Barre (elevation gain 800 m, total time 4h45).
- longer route by continuing to the Col de Garcinel after the Col des Roux and returning via the Matacharre forest road (elevation gain 1000 m, total time 7h30).
(4) At the Col des Roux, you can see a cabrette and a small restored hut. Other period cabrettes can be seen further along the path heading due north.
These structures bear witness to a common practice in forestry in the 1930s: cable transport. A ‘cabrette’ is the common name given to the post that supports the cable, and this one has been partially restored by Pierre Para.