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Park in the Pierre et Marie Curie car park, located north of Volx.
(S/E) Take the steps, located to the east of the car park, to reach a small cul-de-sac. At the end of this, carefully cross Rue Pierre et Marie Curie, and continue straight ahead onto Montée Capellane.
(1) At the first signpost marked "les Roches de Volx", turn right towards "Botanique Diagnostic". Follow the path running alongside the climbing routes until you reach a cairn.
(2) Turn right onto a sometimes rocky, descending path, which is not marked on maps but is safe: use the app. Join a track and follow it to the olive grove.
(3) Follow the edge of the olive grove, then a path that becomes a bit overgrown: use the app. Pass above a group of houses and reach a concrete structure used to collect the extracted rocks.
(4) Descend the concrete steps, then continue down the slope through the trees, taking care. Stay between 3 and 5 metres to the right of the wall. As you descend, as soon as the Roche Amère (see photo) comes into view, veer to the right to avoid a 2-metre-high vertical section. Then continue to the left, along the old road to Forcalquier, running alongside the Écomusée l’Olivier.
(5) Turn right, cross the D13 with care, and first turn left then right to join a tarmac cycle path that crosses the wooden bridge over the Largue. Continue along this path and join the Chemin de Fontolive at a bend.
(6) Take the wooded path almost opposite, which climbs gradually, and join a track suitable for vehicles.
(7) Turn left onto the Montée de la Chapelle.
(8) Take the Chapel Path (botanical trail) on the left, which leads to the 12th-century Romanesque chapel of Notre-Dame de la Roche. Continue along the botanical trail to the ruins of the 11th-century Château Roche-Amère: “we are in a Natura 2000 area.”
(9) Turn back and follow the track.
(7) Take the path on the right and head back down to the D13.
(5) Cross it carefully and head left towards the Ecomuseum. Before reaching it, turn right onto a path that climbs steadily through the forest and leads to a three-way junction.
(10) Continue straight on until you reach a small clearing.
(11) Go straight on and continue to a junction marked by a cairn.
(12) Turn left to begin what is undoubtedly the toughest part of this hike, as the slope is steep until the first bends. You’ll reach a path junction.
(13) Turn left; there isn’t much effort left to make. Take a short detour to the left to see the Garde clearing, then rejoin the route: the views over Volx and the Durance plain are magnificent
(14) At this signpost marked "Carrefour de la Garde 610 m", continue towards Volx.
(15) At the “Plus belle la vie” sign, turn left, go over the wooden barrier to take a look at the small cave, which poses no danger. Return to the path and rejoin the Montée de la Capellane.
(1) Follow the outward route in the opposite direction to return to the car park (S/E).
Visorando member
Easy 
