Pic de Bertagne via the old ice house and the three passes

Park at the Saint-Pons car park. It is a very large car park.

(S/E) Continue along the path at the back of the car park and head towards the park office.

(1) Walk past the visitor centre. About ten metres further on, on the left, follow the yellow markings. You’ll cross a path very quickly, but keep well to the left.

(2) When you reach the track, turn right. You’ll come to the forest gate on path SB 102.

(3) Cross the D2 road and take it to the left, heading uphill until you come to a forest gate further on to the right. Turn right onto the HC 285 towards the ice house. The path is signposted. Continue straight ahead, keeping slightly to the left. Cross the D2 road again.

(4) Head up to the right until you pass a small stone wall on the right. Then look out for a second stone wall on the right with yellow-red markings. Take the path on the right, following the markings carefully, to reach a signpost, and follow the direction of the Col de Bertagne. Continue straight on at the junction.

(5) Look out for a cave on the right that isn’t marked on the map (a good spot for a bivouac). Keep following the yellow-red marked path, keeping to the right. Then look out for markings with small yellow dots pointing to the left.

(6) At the junction, turn left following the small yellow dots. Part of the path is a bit of a scramble.

(7) At the old ice house, turn left following the sign for Col de Bertagne, GR® 2013, marked in yellow and red.

(8) At the Monument to the Marseille Hikers (which dates back to 1897), look for signposts and follow the direction of Pic de Bertagne, the start of which is behind the Monument to the Marseille Hikers on the right, marked with yellow signs.

(9) Retrace your steps back to the monument.

(8) Continue straight on, following the yellow-marked path.

(10) Cross the Col de Bertagne and rejoin the D2 road.

(11) Cross the road and take the SB 102 towards Saint-Pons via the Col de Brest, marked in yellow. Follow the route straight on until you reach the junction from the outward journey.

(2) Then follow the return path to the right, in the opposite direction to the outward journey, until you reach the car park (S/E).

Suggested by: A.M.I.SRando Aubagne and its team