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Departure from the large car park at Place de la Rougière at the foot of the village of Barjols.
Red markings
(S/E) Take the Traverse Raynouard, then the Rue du Barri. Continue along the steps and cross a housing estate to reach the RD560.
(1) Cross the road, continuing to follow the red markings. Go up the small street on the left and turn right onto a path that runs alongside houses, then pass through a tunnel to rejoin the road a few metres further on.
(2) Turn left: cross the road and walk carefully along it between the plane trees for about 300 metres.
(3) At the bridge, turn right to cross a small stream, then immediately turn left onto a small road with little or no traffic.
(4) At the end of this small road, turn right to climb up to the village of Pontevès. Stay on the small road on the right, and after a slightly steep climb, you will soon see the towers of the ruined castle.
(5) At the foot of the castle, walk along the ramparts and take the small staircase that climbs up to the left. Follow the ramparts towards the towers to reach the castle square and its orientation table. Then descend towards the village through the well-preserved gate, pass the church and continue slightly to the left on the Chemin du Bessillon.
After a few hundred metres, you will finally reach a track which you follow, sometimes overlooking the valley, always following the signposts.
(6) At a cistern, turn right heading south to begin the climb to Petit Bessillon.
Be careful, the distance is short but very steep... but it's all on a path without the need to use your hands.
After a few minutes of effort, you will quickly reach the north orientation table with a view of the Verdon peaks.
Continue south to reach the next orientation table (south).
(7) The path then reaches the actual summit, where the remains of a fortification can still be seen.
The descent begins with a few passages where you may need to use your hands. There are a few handrails.
A little further on, a narrow, slightly exposed passage requires you to descend using a chain and then climb back up using a handrail.
You then descend on the left-hand side (south) around the second summit of Petit Bessillon.
The path then turns into a track before reaching a junction.
No signposts
(8) Continue straight ahead, leaving the red markings. The track turns into a path, which is sometimes a little overgrown in the heath.
You will quickly reach a track in the middle of a residential area near the village. Continue along this track, then along the road, in the same direction.
Red signpost
(9) At the next intersection, turn left and follow the red markings on this small road.
At the next crossroads, take the track on the right in a hairpin bend.
(10) Just before reaching a new road, turn left. Follow this road for about 100 metres, then turn right onto a small forest road.
Go through a gate and climb up towards Castellas before descending towards the cross and the orientation table overlooking the village of Barjols.
(11) Retrace your steps for about 50 metres and descend into the Vallon des Carmes on the left. Be careful, as the descent is wet and slippery.
Don't miss the two magnificent waterfalls, Carmes and Gouffre aux Épines.
Continue following the signs through a small housing estate, then turn left into a small street and go through the archway to discover the village.
Walk down through the village with its many fountains to return to the central square of Rouguière (S/E).
Visorando member
Easy 
