RAVIN DES ARCS HIKE

1

At the bottom of the parking lot, go through the barrier (chicane). Climb the stony path above the stream. Take the main path back down to the Garels wash house. This large, concave masonry structure, judiciously placed in the landscape, is used to collect water for watering livestock.

2

Go left up the hillside, through sparse vegetation: look for a small prickly shrub. This is the juniper known as cade. It's easily distinguished from its cousin, the common juniper, by the two white stripes on its spiny leaves. Further up, enter the oak undergrowth. Walk above the Lamalou gorges (follow the signs). Cross the scree slopes (with views of the gorges, Séranne mountain and Roc Blanc in the distance), through the Grabasses wood. The ground is blackened in places. These are the remains of former charcoal kilns, traces of past logging operations.

3

Descend to the right into the Ravin des Arcs (caution! slippery). There's a breathtaking view of the arch leaning against the cliff. This large arch is the result of the slow work of erosion on the rock. The winding path leads to the banks of the Lamalou.

4

Descend the creek bed for around 150 m (caution: crossing the watercourse is forbidden in the event of flooding). Cross over to the right bank, before the large pools of water. These shapes are still the result of erosion.

5

Climb up the rock faces (steep, technical section!!). Follow the well-marked path, which winds through the Grand Bois de la Garde and its many tree species (the white oak is best recognized by the whitish down under its leaf).

6

On the plateau, turn right onto the stony path. Gradually descend, facing Pic Saint-Loup and the plaine de Londres, whose name derives from the old local dialect "terrain dundras", meaning a swampy, parched land. Further down in the grassy meadow, continue straight ahead and cross the Lamalou again. Return to the outward path at the lavogne. Follow the same route to the left to reach the starting parking lot.

PR Yellow

https://www.grandpicsaintloup-tourisme.fr

Office de Tourisme du Grand Pic Saint-Loup

PDESI