Hiking trail located in a state-owned forest composed of typical Maures species: chestnut, cork oak, holm oak and maritime pine. Between the Verne reservoir and the Chartreuse de la Verne building.
Situated 12 km from the village of Collobrières, the Chartreuse de la Verne is much more than just a monument to visit. It's an invitation to enjoy a timeless experience, a haven of serenity far from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. To fully appreciate its unique atmosphere, there's nothing like exploring the surrounding countryside on foot.
DEPARTURE / ARRIVAL: Chartreuse de la Verne car park
SIGNAGE: yellow
As you leave the car park, where there's an information panel about the Maures integral biological reserve, turn left towards the Chartreuse de la Verne, following the track. There is a panoramic view of the Chartreuse, which you will reach by a track after about 700 m.
After observing the imposing building and its majestic gateway, the pillars of which are made of Serpentine des Maures in its characteristic green colour, continue your circuit, leaving the latter on your left as far as a crow's-foot (intersection with the crest track).
Continue downhill on your left along the Capelude track, where you can see some magnificent, strangely-shaped chestnut trees.
After a few dozen metres, you pass the Font-Sainte fountain.
Continue towards the Verne reservoir along the Capelude track. You cross the Règue du Pas du Loup stream; you will come across it again below the circuit, where it feeds the Verne reservoir during floods. Continue as far as the Capelude 2 signpost.
At this point, leave the Capelude track on the right for a path through undergrowth which leads you to the Verne reservoir via the Argentière valley. This path is lined with vegetation typical of the Maures massif (arbutus, heather, cork oak).
After about 1 km, you will see some superb terraces on your left, remnants of past human activity, before arriving on the Verne track which runs alongside the reservoir of the same name.
Continue your circuit on your left, skirting the La Verne reservoir (passing through the valley of the Règue du Pas du Loup).
You pass through a gate and come to an intersection with the Capelude track on your left. A few metres after this junction, turn left onto a fairly stony, sloping track that takes you back to the Capelude track through a pleasant, shady undergrowth (about 2 km).
At the end of this undergrowth, you pass through a grove of eucalyptus trees with its distinctive scent.
You then arrive on the Capelude track and simply follow it on your right towards the Chartreuse to get back to your starting point.