Arches des Sambles, de la Garoute and Vigne Fère from Morière la Tourne

Head to Solliès-Toucas via the D554, then turn onto Avenue Thyde Monnier. Drive through the village and join the Route Forestière des Morières, which links Solliès-Toucas to Signes. Drive past the entrance to the IME des Morières and park shortly afterwards at the side of the road, roughly below the reservoir: there are about 3 to 4 parking spaces available.
Note: you can also park at (1), at the entrance to the track used by the hike.

(S/E) Follow the forest road for 1.6 km, then look out for a track on the right that starts between two private properties (signs): this road has little traffic but you should remain vigilant.

(1) Turn right. Walk for over a kilometre and keep an eye out for a path on the right alongside a rock with a cairn on top: it leads eastwards to a viewpoint offering a stunning view: a place known as Ragage du Tank.

(2) Retrace your steps and rejoin the route to the right. Continue along the path, which winds several times but generally heads north. Pass under the power lines, ignore a path branching off to the right and walk for about a hundred metres to reach a junction.

(3) Note a stone placed on a small rock to the left and the number 2 on a tree: take the path through the undergrowth in this direction, heading west; it is barely visible at first, mainly marked by cairns and occasionally by rare blue markings on the trees. About 150 m further on, look out for the remains of a charcoal burner’s hut on the right. There, as you go round a large rock, you’ll discover a tiny rock shelter whose entrance isn’t visible from the track.

(4) Turn right towards the north-west at a dolomite outcrop, which you leave on your left. Do not take the track on the left heading south-west, marked by three stones in a tree: this is not the right direction. If you take a wrong turn, further on you will find a large pink arrow on a rock confirming you have gone astray: this poorly maintained path leads to the Sambles cistern, located about 500 m away on a marked trail. Upon reaching a small platform of blackened earth, look for a low rocky outcrop on the right where there is a small cave invisible from the path:water can be found there after rain.

(5) Charcoal Burners’ Arch: leave the arch on your right. Further on, pass a tall rock on your left with a small cavity at its base and, 20 m later, turn left under a tree growing horizontally. When you reach the middle of a group of rocks, turn left again and pass between two rocks where you’ll need to use your hands a little. Join the marked path to the west.

(6) At the junction, turn left south/south-east, walk about fifty metres and look out for a rock on the left with a blue mark that you cannot see when approaching from this direction.

(7) From this rock, leave the path and head left, following the blue markings along a slightly overgrown track. Walk alongside a small rocky outcrop which you can climb to catch a glimpse of the first arch at the bottom of the fault. To reach these two arches, go round the ridge to the right in a clockwise direction, and reach a passage with a tree that allows you to descend into the fault using your hands: a rope may be useful.

(8) Retrace your steps.

(6) Continue straight ahead.

(9) Just before the Pas du Pilon junction, a small horizontal arch is on the left, a few metres off the path.
At the Pas du Pilon junction, turn right towards the north-east and head towards the Croix de la Garoute and a Y-junction: a large rock slab offering a wide view is a good spot for a picnic.

(10) A cairn between four oak trees marks a path to the right, which you take to reach the first arch. At a small, distinctive twisted oak tree, turn left, following the cairns to the arch.

(11) Turn back.

(10) Take the path on the right towards the Garoute arch and reach another Y-junction before the pond.

(12) Turn right onto the path which runs about fifteen metres above the Garoute Arch. Continue for about thirty metres and look out for a cairn on the right, in the middle of three oak trees, above which you can see a large rock: turn onto this cairned, ascending path, passing a dry-stone rabbit hutch on the right to reach a small rocky outcrop which you follow closely on your left, then turning towards the south-west. The arch is situated a few metres above the path and can be reached by using your hands.

(13) Follow the path for about 100 m to go round the rocky outcrop and, after turning south-east, reach a large rock at the foot of which there is a very visible cairn: this is the three-way junction which you will take again after completing the round trips to the next two arches.

(14) Head right, cross a slab and reach the arch with a small opening at the top.

(15) Return to the cairn.

(14) Take the other path, roughly to the right, which runs alongside the large rock, then descend to another arch.

(16) Retrace your steps.

(12) Continue to the right then head forthe well-knownArche de la Garoute, where there is a pool at its base.

(17) Take the path that runs alongside the arch on the north side, join the track, turn right onto it, then reach a junction of tracks.

(18) Turn left onto the track through the woodland, which heads south-east for a short while and then descends steeply before becoming a path.
Leave the pylon on your right and, about 50 m further on, look out for a T-junction with a tree trunk on the ground to the right.

(19) Take the path on the right. Ignore all the paths on the left, keep to the right after the Vallon des Sardouires and head for a small pass.

(20) Follow an unmarked path marked by a cairn which leads to an easily accessible viewpoint, aided by a fixed rope: it is best to leave your rucksacks at the small pass. This viewpoint, which is visible from the path, ends at a small dolomite outcrop from where you can get a better view of the arch known as the Fenêtre de Vigne Fère. Take care! This viewpoint overlooks a deep ravine. Retrace your steps.

(20) Take the path on the left and you will soon reach a three-way junction. Leave the path on the right, go round and past the wooden barrier across a track, pass in front of a property gate, and further on, past a hunter’s hut. Then follow some faded yellow markings to reach the junction near the IME. Take the road on the right to return to the car park (S/E).

Mobile networks: on this vast plateau, a large area is not covered by certain mobile networks. However, the number that may work is the emergency number: 112. You will need to download the maps onto your smartphone beforehand.

Duration of the walk: taking the time to enjoy the scenery, allow 7 hours including a picnic break.

Sections not shown on any maps: from (3) to (6), from (7) to (8), from (10) to (11) and from (12) to (16).

Difficulty rating: difficult, depending on the sections listed above, which do not appear on any maps; a good understanding of the terrain is essential.

Water: no water along the route. The water in the pool next to the Garoute arch (17) is often brackish and the spring in the cave is unreliable.

Shelters: the small rock shelter walled in between (3) and (5), as well as the Garoute Arch (17).

Coexistence with hunters:
 on their advice, wear an orange hat and brightly coloured clothing.
You can also attach a bell to your rucksack.

Fire risks
Mainly during the period between 15 June and 15 September, before entering this mountain range, it is recommended that you consult the following website: https://www.risque-prevention-incendie.fr/var/

Miscellaneous
In Solliès-Toucas, from the entrance to Avenue Thyde Monnier, you will find on the esplanade: a bank, a pharmacy and a bakery.
Between 15 June and 15 September, the forest road between Solliès-Toucas and Signes is closed to motor traffic.

(19) Note: from the T-junction, the path continuing eastwards disappears after 200 m. However, if you do a round trip, this path offers a very beautiful view of the dolomite massif to the north, above the Escavalins estate.

https://www.visorando.com/randonnee-les-curiosites-geologiques-a-l-entour-de/