The springs and small waterfalls of Cauvières around the Mauvelle valley

From Château-Gombert or Plan-de-Cuques, take the Chemin de la Grave (La Montade neighbourhood). 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 follow the track. Pass the junction with the path leading to the Vallon de Mauvelle. Continue for about 120 m and, at the right-hand bend, look out for a path on the right.

(1) Take this unmarked path which climbs through the forest, heading north-north-east. The path then levels out, becomes wider and passes several fire stations and under a high-voltage power line.

(2) Turn right at a junction. You’ll reach an open area, partly tarmacked, with the Canal de Provence facilities on your left. Take a detour to the right to get a closer look at the Vallon de Mauvelle.

(3) At the junction, turn right and continue northwards. You’ll reach a place known as Les Quatres Chemins, where there is an underground cistern (no. 173, elevation 387) at a fork in the path.

(4) Head down to the right onto the track and catch a glimpse of the ruins of Cauvières. You’ll reach a hairpin bend.

(5) Turn left and head along the clear path, heading north-west. At a sign marked ‘Réserve’, turn right into the bushes to discover the developed Cauvières spring and, a little further down, an old pumping station. Continue along the valley and arrive at a dead end. Head left to the far end to find a small opening in the bushes.

(6) Caution: tricky section. Pass through the bushes to discover a stream bed with small pools filled with water and moss-covered, water-streaked rocks: the first small waterfalls. Climb up the rocks, then cross a wooded section with numerous pools filled with water to reach, at the end, some beautiful, trickling waterfalls. Go round the rocks on the right to reach a track higher up on the left.

(7) Turn right onto this track. Pass by a stone hunters’ shelter, then keep to the left to continue through the valley. Pass by fenced enclosures (hunting reserve). The path then narrows but remains passable. You’ll reach a DFCI track.

(8) Turn right onto the track. Ignore the turn-offs to the left and right to reach the large house at Le Caban. Keep to the right, heading south.

(9) Leave the track to the right to join a wide path further down, lined with numerous plantations. Turn left and stay on this path. Descend into the valley. You’ll reach the three-way junction in the Vallon de Mauvelle. (Please read the ‘Practical Information’ section carefully).

(10) Keep to the left and head down the valley along a very stony path. You’ll reach the main track you took on the way there.

Turn left onto the track and head back to the car park (S/E).

For reference: the author’s time for this route was 3 hours (excluding a lunch break).

- Although the Source des Cauvières flows practically all year round, it is best to do this walk at the end of winter to admire the small waterfalls.
- The section between (6) and (7) is very tricky: wet rocks to cross, and a stream bed that is overgrown and may be filled with running water. Take great care, especially if you are not used to negotiating this sort of obstacle.
- Take care during the hunting season, as this area is very popular with hunters.
- To avoid descending the valley from (9), where the vegetation has become overgrown, and thus to avoid getting scratched whilst wearing short clothing, there are two alternatives:
1- Head to point (5), and at the bend, descend the entire length of the Mauvelle valley. You will reach point (10).
2 – Reach the Mauvelle valley from the 409-metre mark at Le Caban by taking the path that descends south-west. Return to the point (10).
Be careful, however, as there are some large potholes to cross, one of which has a metal ladder fitted.