The Mauvelle Valley and the Ouides Valley

From Château-Gombert or Plan de Cuques, take the Chemin de la Grave (La Montade area). Park at the end of the track by a gate and a DFCI track, where there are plenty of angled parking spaces available.

(S/E) Go through the gate and continue until you reach the junction with the path leading to the Vallon de Mauvelle.
The path is not shown on any of the base maps.

(1) Turn right onto the unmarked path that leads into this valley. Cross a few rocky sections (see the ‘Practical Information’ section). You’ll come to a fork in the road.

(2) Turn left. Climb up the rock face using the ladder provided. The path becomes narrow and overgrown. Further on, you’ll come to a cave, then an old car wreck. Pass by a water retention basin (engraving from 1972). The path then widens into a broad track. Keep to the left, pass through a clearing, then join the DFCI track. Continue straight on to visit the Sources des Cauvières, about 50 metres on the right, marked by a sign.

(3) Turn back and rejoin the track to reach Les Quatres Chemins at a fork in the tracks.

(4) Then turn right and take the middle track, which passes by a fire lookout post.
Stay on the left-hand track, which passes beneath the Tête du Grand Jacquot (at the top to the north). Pass by the Puits du Gargoutier.

(5) Continue on and, further on, pass by underground cistern no. 209. You’ll reach a crossroads of tracks.

(6) Carry on to the right, heading due north along the track, until you reach a wider section just before a Fork in the road.

(7) Turn sharply left onto the path that descends through the vegetation and joins the bed of the Ruisseau des Ouides. Follow the stream bed.

(8) Turn left and cross three bridges in succession along a pleasant path.

(9) At the end of^{the third} bridge, turn left. The route becomes increasingly rugged. You’ll need to cross potholes between rocky faces. You’ll reach a large rock face which you must descend.
See the Practical Information section.
Take great care.
Continue along the path lined with bushes.

(10) Turn left and walk alongside the rock. After a short climb through the pine trees, rejoin the DFCI track. Turn right and head for the gate and the car park (S/E).

The Mauvelle and Ouides valleys, like many other valleys in the Chaine de l’Étoile, are not shown on IGN maps as marked trails but as stream beds. You should therefore take precautions if you are walking through these valleys. The route suggested here is shown on the IGN satellite base map.
- There are plenty of stones along the route and numerous obstacles that may hinder your progress.
- Large, flat limestone slabs that are often damp. Take care not to slip.
- Take care after a storm, as the stream may be flowing strongly.
- Large, smooth rock faces with no handholds – known as ‘marmites’ – must be crossed. Some are easy to cross (less than 1 m high) but others are not (over 2 m high). Both valleys feature this type of rock face. In the more popular Mauvelle valley, a ladder has been installed. However, there is nothing of the sort in the Ouides valley; this wall can only be descended by sliding down on your stomach and bracing yourself with your feet on the ground. In any case, do not attempt this if you do not feel capable of doing so; there is always a way to turn back and find an alternative route.
- A GPS is recommended as the junctions are not signposted and are sometimes difficult to find through the vegetation.