Country:
District:
The start is about two-thirds of the way up the climb to Espigoulier from Gémenos. There are only a few parking spaces available here, so carpooling is a must!
(S/E) A track with a barrier marks the start of this hike. Head straight east. After about 300 m, after a meadow, you will find a small path on the left that climbs northwards.
(1) Purple dots on the ground indicate the direction to follow. All you have to do is climb until you rejoin aPR® and turn right towards the Col de Bertagne. Continue for a good kilometre.
(2) At the pass, head east, following the yellow markings with the Pic de Bertagne in sight.
(3) Next to the monument dedicated to hikers from Marseille, take a well-marked path uphill called "Pic de Bertagne". A tough climb begins, which is the most difficult part of the day, with a tricky descent later on at Pas de Cugens. Yellow markings will guide you all the way up. You will arrive at the road that leads to the civil aviation dome.
(4) Going up this road on the right, about fifteen metres before the gate, you will find a yellow signposted path on the left that will take you to the viewpoint of the day, the Pic de Bertagne. Then turn around.
(4) A path on the right, marked "Col du Fauge" among other signs, will take you on a long descent towards the south. Again, the yellow markings will guide you. You will reach the Col du Fauge and continue straight ahead to reach the Col de l'Aigle.
(5) Follow the path on the right that crosses the valley of the same name.
(6) After 1,500 metres, you will come back to aGR® trail, which you follow to the right.
(7) About a hundred metres further on, a path on the left, marked by a few cairns, takes you to the edge of the ridge and the Trou du Vent. Turn back and continue on theGR® trail, which climbs up to the left. From time to time, it is not very easy to find, but the GPS will guide you safely to the next point.
(8) Yellow dots on the ground indicate the path that descends steeply towards Pas de Cugens. Extreme caution is advised and don't hesitate to use your hands to help you.
(9) At this point, do not follow the yellow markings that go uphill, but descend a little further to rejoin theGR® trail that climbs towards Bertagne.
(10) The path loops to the left and climbs gently, ignoring the paths that descend towards La Glacière and Saint-Pons on the left. Pass under the peak, noting the fresh "scars" that indicate that pieces of rock have fallen fairly recently.
(3) Take the path you came on to the left.
(2) Take the path marked "Saint-Pons - Grande Baume" on the left towards the south-west. After 700 m, you will reach a fork.
(11) Continue downhill to the right, which will take you across the Grande Baume, then continue straight ahead to return to the path you took on the way there and the small car park (S/E).
Visorando member
Moderate 
Easy 
