Ascension of the Grand Margès via the GR99

Starting from the village, climb the stairs up to the place of Barda. All the way, follow the red-white markings of GR99. Go straight and turn left to the High Street (Rue Haute). Continue towards Saint-Pierre chapel. Stop for a moment to contemplate the breathtaking panorama of the town, the Sainte-Croix Lake and the Valensole plateau. Then go up the stairs behind the chapel. Continue along the fence of the campsite de l'Aigle until the road of the Gorges. Cross it, paying attention to traffic. The trail continues on the left, at the end of the parking lot, between the rocks. Then the ascent begins with a steep slope for about 250 m of elevation and inside mixed forest of Scots pine and oak. After an hour of climbing, you reach a ridge where the view stretches on your left, on the Gorges, the Mourre de Chanier, the Chiran and ridges of Montdenier, and, behind you, the Sainte-Croix Lake and the Valensole plateau. Continue to follow the path passing below the top of the little Margès. 250 m further, at the intersection, leave the road to the left and continue straight. Then you arrive on flat land, called "the cooler" or sinkhole. You can see darker grass circles, commonly known as "fairy rings", which are a natural phenomenon causing the circular development of fungus colony. Continue the path through the boxwood. After a good half-hour walk, you reach the top of the Grand Margès marked by a metal post. It offers a 360° view on both banks of the Grand Canyon, the Sainte-Croix Lake, the Valensole plateau, the Alps, the Canjuers military camp, and, if the weather is good, on the Mediterranean. After contemplating the landscape, turn around and go back down the same path.

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