The Pelenc forest from Régusse

Description

You will go through the state-owned forest of Pelenc to meet a past filled with history, that of coal and that of the Members of the French Resistance. The circuit around the state-owned Pelenc forest is done on wide and relatively flat paths. Once on your way, you will go back up the history of this forest and discover the trails left by mankind and his activities; the traces of coal, the members of the French Resistance, farmers, or officers of Water and Forestry Cross the village by the Grand Rue and head down to the windmills by the Rue des Moulins. Pass the two mills and follow the small road (CD 260) for 800m. Continue straight to the intersection with the Chemin de la Sine. Take a right on the Avenue Jean Giono (paved road on 600m). Continue on a dirt road in the middle of the forest for 2.3km. 1- In the woods, reach by the track the Commemorative Rock of the maquis of Pélenc. Turn left on the "Piste de Moissac". The roadside is lined with stone markers indicating the limits of the state-owned forest. At the "Valley de Bolle" track (not shown), reach by the route the intersection between Moissac and Régusse. 2- Follow the direction of Moissac. Leave a first track behind, then proceed on the second one ("Piste du Cadastre "). Follow the path that passes by the old coal burners in front of the Maquis tank. Go down for 500m to the "Baquis" track. Follow it to a tank. Continue straight in the middle of the pines. At the next intersection (800m), leave to the right the "Piste de l'Auviduery" (not shown) and take the second path to the left. Go back up the plateau (viewpoint of the village) and reach at a barrier a junction of the routes to Moissac and Régusse. 3 - Turn left on Chemin de Régusse. Leave a path starting on the left, past a ruin then, at the forest exit, reach a small road. Follow it for 100m and at the intersection turn left on the road. Come out at the St. Eloy oratory on the Avenue Frédéric Mistral. Enter the village by the road (for your security, walk on the left side of the road).

Difficulty

Official rating: moderate, by Parcs naturels régionaux de Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur.

Before you go

• Avoid high summer temperatures, leave early. Remember to pack at least 2L of water per person, a hat and proper walking shoes. In summer time, find out whether the forests are open to the public (fire risk) by calling 04 89 96 43 43 (answering machine of the Direction Départementale des Territoires et de la Mer) or by visiting the website of the Prefecture by clicking the tab "For more information".

Getting there

Start: Au village cours Alexandre Gariel, Régusse (83).

Sources

• Track: Parcs naturels régionaux de Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (Chemins des Parcs), Licence Ouverte 2.0, Licence Ouverte 2.0 (Etalab) (www.cheminsdesparcs.fr/trek/56283-REGUSSE---Promenade-dans-le-Pelenc). Time estimated by GPX Path with the Mac app rule, breaks not included.
• Official elevation gain: 166 m, Parcs naturels régionaux de Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur