Country:
City:
Depart from the Sainte-Baume spring car park (see § Practical information for access).
(S/E) From the car park, walk to the spring at the end of the long esplanade built for pilgrimages. It is located opposite the rock shelter at the foot of which you arrive when coming from the car park.
(1) Ignore the path that climbs to the left (signposted to the cave chapel) and take the path that branches off to the right from the spring. It climbs gently through the heath to the Col du Saint-Pilon. Shortly before the pass, ignore a path that branches off to the left.
(2) At the pass, you will come to the path that climbs up from the Plateau d'Anthéor on the right. Ignore it and turn left, then fifty metres further on, turn left again to climb towards the Pic du Cap Roux. The path, which winds its way through shrubbery, is almost level as it passes below the Pilon cliffs. After passing these cliffs, you will reach a ridge that leads to a magnificent cirque surrounded by red peaks.
(3) Pass this ridge and enter the cirque by following the path that runs at the foot of the peaks. Don't hesitate to stop and look up, as the landscape is truly remarkable!
(4) After 300 metres, follow the path that descends to the right. After two fairly steep hairpin bends, this path crosses a scree slope to reach the foot of the eastern cliff that closes off the cirque. Follow the path until you reach the small pass that crosses the ridge ending at Cap Roux below.
(5) As you cross this ridge, the landscape opens up onto the Bay of Cannes and the Mercantour in the distance. Continue along the path to reach the next ridge . Before that, you will have to cross a wet, steep-sided valley where water erosion has caused some damage to the path's support structure. Be careful not to slip and miss the step, as it is high!
(6) Once you have passed the next ridge, the view opens up onto the north of the massif and the Pic de l'Ours, recognisable by the antenna that crowns it. The path descends slightly to reach a ridge above the Col de l'Évêque, then climbs again once you have passed it. Shortly afterwards, join the path that leads to the summit.
(7) To climb up, turn left and follow the path, which alternates between scree slopes and shrubbery. When you reach the ridge before the point (6), you will once again find yourself with a view of the sea. The path is then not far from the fork that leads to the summit. You will reach it in a few dozen metres by turning right at the first opportunity.
(8) Take the time to enjoy the unique panorama, then retrace your steps until you return to the fork leading to the summit.
(7) Continue straight ahead, passing under the ruins of the old gate that once controlled access to the Saint-Honorat Cave.
(9) Go around the rock, following the path that curves to the left. On the descent, you will come to a fork in the path on the left that leads up to the hermitage.
(10) Pass this path and continue downhill until you reach the esplanade of the spring.
(1) All that remains is to return to the car park where you started, passing to the left of the rock shelter (S/E).
Visorando Member
Difficult 
Easy 
