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In the village of Cabasse, park in the large car park on Rue Jules Ferry (D13), which leads to Lac de Carcès and the village of Carcès.
(S/E) From the car park, head towards Rue Jules Ferry (D13), turn left towards the village centre.
(1) At the intersection, turn right onto Route du Vallon. Follow it straight ahead, taking the long bend and leaving the road that branches off to the left just before it. Climb up Fon des Romarins until you reach the intersection that marks the end of the paved road.
(2) Take the track that climbs up to the right. Continue straight ahead until you reach two pylons and a memorial to the Resistance, which has been vandalised. From here, there is a magnificent view of Cabasse, giving you a glimpse of the route of the hike. Leave the track and take the path that descends slightly to the left.
At elevation 341, note the Oppidum and a cistern, with a beautiful view of the woods on the right. Continue along the path until you reach the first intersection and turn right.
Continue to the intersection at elevation 295. Be careful not to take the path that descends to the left before reaching the elevation (not marked on the map).
(3) Take the path on the right in the undergrowth (numerous cairns). Continue downhill to the high-voltage power line. Follow it for a few metres to the right, then turn onto the path that descends steeply to the left: beautiful view, especially of the solar panel park. After this fairly steep descent, you will come to an intersection marked by a ruin.
(4) Take the path on the right that runs alongside a vineyard and the right bank of the Issole, until you reach the D13 departmental road. Cross the bridge on the left and, after crossing, continue for a few metres to the right until you reach a path that descends to the right towards the bed of the Issole. On the road, you will see the remains of the bauxite quarry.
Follow this beautiful path to a private gate with the river on your right and the cliff on your left.
(5) Leave the path and take the trail on the left that climbs steeply through the woods towards the cliff (this trail is not shown on the IGN map). You will arrive at the Trou des Fées, which is actually a troglodyte dwelling (see history below).
User comment: 2 December 2024:
It is no longer possible to access the Grotte des Fées as there is no longer a ladder.
A climber's ladder has been put in place, but we were unable to climb it. About 100 metres from this dwelling, in the thicket on the left, there is a narrow cave that can be explored for a few metres.
After exploring these caves,
continue climbing until you reach a new intersection; behind you, there are magnificent views of the cliff and the valley.
(6) Turn into the path that climbs steeply to the left to reach a magnificent viewpoint with a white metal cross and an esplanade with the Virgin and Child. You are at the site of Notre-Dame du Glaive. To the right of the chapel is the Pont Neuf dolmen (history below). Walk around the site (a wonderful place for a picnic).
After returning to the chapel, take the path that descends steeply, following the oratories along the way. At the bottom of this path, you will arrive at a place called Saint-Loup. Turn right onto the paved road, pass a beautiful chapel and continue downhill to a crossroads.
(7) Turn right onto this small road until you reach another crossroads, crossing the vineyard and passing in front of Château Réquier (vineyard).
(8) Cross the road and take the path that climbs up opposite (not very visible). The path ends at the edge of a meadow. Follow it on the left, continuing to climb. When you reach a road, turn right. After a double bend and about 100 metres, take a path on the left that passes through the scrubland and comes out alongside a vineyard. Follow it uphill until you reach a beautiful wide track and follow the track downhill on the left.
(9) After passing some houses, take the path on the right which descends and then climbs through a wood. Ignore the paths which branch off to the left. All along this path, there are numerous terraces which evoke a rich agricultural past. You will arrive at the Gastée dolmen on your left, a very well-preserved site (see below for historical information). Continue along the path for a few metres and, at the crossroads, take the path on the right that climbs slightly. Pass the gate of a private property on your left and continue straight ahead along this wide path. Shortly after the 336 metre mark, ignore the path that branches off to the right and continue to a new intersection at the 326 metre mark.
(10) Take the hairpin bend onto the path that descends steeply to the right through the woods.
(11) At a new intersection, take the path that descends to the left through the woods. Please note that this path is not shown on the IGN map. Follow it to the village of Cabasse. At the road, cross the bridge on the right over the Issole to reach the town centre and the car park where you started (S/E).
Well done. Thank you.
Visorando member
Easy 
