On the ridge of the Grande Étoile at Le Luminier

From Château-Gombert, take the Chemin de Palama. Pass two riding centres, then park at the end of the road in the^second car park on the left, located after the Chemin Martin.

(S/E) Set off along the Chemin de l’Étoile, heading north-west. Go through the barrier blocking vehicle access, then stay on the DFCI track, heading towards La Grande Étoile. Pass under a power line several times and arrive at fire tank no. 402 (elevation 448).

(1) Turn right onto the steep, stony track. Pass by an electricity pylon and arrive at the foot of the Grande Étoile viewpoint. Turn right and follow the cliff-edge path which passes beneath Les Barres. Pass by the climbing site and, further on, a cave. You’ll reach the tarmac road, Route de la Télévision.

(2) Leave it immediately to the right to follow a path along the cliff edge. Join the road and follow it for about 250 m.

(3) Turn right and follow the path that runs along the cliffs. The markings are blue. Pass a few boulders where you may need to use your hands at times, then arrive at the Étoile facilities (elevation 652). Head back down, heading north-west along the cliff. Pass a large cairn and continue to the end of the path (blue markings)

(4) Turn right and carefully descend the small rocky outcrop (alternatively, at the cairn, a small path takes a detour to the left to return beneath the rocks). Head into the forest and reach the Col des Ouides.

(5) Carry on straight ahead and climb the lovely round hillock. Take in the magnificent scenery, then continue along the ridge, keeping to the right, passing by the Grotte des Maquisards before reaching a Fork in the road.

(6) Turn right, following the purple markings. Follow the path as it descends steadily alongside the Vallon des Ouides. You’ll reach a junction of DFCI tracks and fire tank no. 600.

(7) Turn right onto the DFCI track. Just after a hairpin bend, you’ll reach a Y-junction.

(8) Take the track on the right and then keep to the right. Pass by fire tank no. 406 and a ruin further down the slope.

(9) A few metres past the valley floor, leave the track and take a path on the left, heading down into the valley. Please note: there are no signposts or cairns. At the bottom, turn right, then keep to the right as you gradually climb back up to join a wider path (signposted ‘Sentier de découverte’). Follow this path; after a few bends, it passes by the ruins of the Grande Bergerie before reaching the barrier at the start of the route and the car park (S/E).

For reference: the author’s time for this route was 3 hours 15 minutes (excluding a lunch break).

- Les Barres de la Grande Étoile, with its climbing area and cave.
- The Grotte des Maquisards, which served as a base for the Compagnons de la Liberté from 1943 to 1944.
- The Pilon du Roi, an additional 3 km round trip from the (6). Please note: this is a steep and difficult path.
- The Source des Ouides, 150 m from (8) on the track to the left.
- The nature trail and the ruins of the Grande Bergerie.