The springs of the Vallon des Escaouprés

Park in the car park after the Allauch riding centre (Chemin du Garlaban).

(S/E) Walk up Chemin du Garlaban and take the^first road on the left, towards Chante Colline.
The road turns into a track and the ground turns red (former bauxite deposits). You will come to a fork.

(1) Follow the path on the right (barrier), then keep left to reach an open area where there is a former deposit enclosed by a gate. Take the path that branches off to the right, climbs, turns left and right, then passes under a high-voltage power line. Walk for about 60 m.

(2) Turn onto the^first path climbing up to the right. Then keep to the left. Pass under another high-voltage power line. At the junction of the Col de Cante-Perdrix tracks (elevation 390 m), turn right towards Grande Tête Rouge (sign on a rock). Reach a crossroads at elevation 454 m. Keep to the left and walk for about 200 m. Arrive at a Y-junction.

(3) Turn right and head down towards Pas dei Menoun. Pass Seuil des Bartavelles and follow the yellow markings which gradually descend towards Vallon des Escaouprés.

(4) Turn right towards the Grotte de l'Étoile. Explore the area, then retrace your steps a few metres to turn right and descend a path that runs alongside the stream bed. You will arrive at the foot of a beautiful waterfall.

(5) Cross the rocks to the right of the waterfall, then head up the Vallon des Escaouprés to the Source du Chien. Continue up the valley amidst the water-filled potholes.

(6) Turn right to take a detour to the Source de Font Berguette. Be careful, the path is narrow, overgrown and slippery as it follows the stream bed.

(7) Explore the area and retrace your steps.

(6) Then continue northwards to the right.

(8) Leave the valley on the right to follow the path heading east. This is a shortcut that joins the main path further up, leading to the Pic du Taoumé (yellow markings). You’ll reach the Grotte du Grosibou and a signpost. Climb the peak and admire the view.

(9) Then head north-east towards the wide track at the 623m mark.

(10) Turn left onto this track and arrive at a junction of three tracks at elevation 456.

(11) Follow the middle track, which passes under a power line, and arrive at a fork.

(12) Cut across to the left and arrive opposite the path that climbs alongside the fence of a private property. Further down, you will see a riding centre. Follow this path, keeping an electricity pylon in sight. Arrive at the centre of Chante Colline.
Turn left and follow the road back to the fork you passed on the way out.

(1) Follow the route back in the opposite direction to reach the car park (S/E).

As a guide: the author’s estimated time for this route is 3½ hours (excluding breaks).

Only to be attempted after several days of heavy rain to see the spring water, which is unfortunately becoming increasingly rare. This is a highlight of this hike, where the scenery is magnificent throughout the route.

The path to Font Berguette may be difficult for some people: the trail is hard to see, slippery, narrow and overgrown.

The old bauxite quarries after the point (1) and by taking a detour to the left at (2)

The rock carvings at Pas dei Menoun and Source du Chient.

The Grosibou Cave.

Baume Sourne and the Puits du Murier just after the point (10)