Aire de la Moure via the Vallon de Mordeau

Park on Chemin de Mordeau where there are marked spaces and free parking.

(S/E) Head towards the entrance to the Vallon de Mordeau via Impasse des Chardonnerets, then continue along the track along the valley. Pass near a telecommunications pylon and arrive at a fork.

(1) Continue along the track at the bottom of the valley until you reach a three-way junction with a sign saying "Attention passage canadien" (beware of cattle grid).

(2) Turn right and tackle the steepest part of the climb, which is not difficult except for the slope, as the track is wide and well maintained. At the top, you will arrive at a flatter, open space with a reservoir and a large pine tree standing alone in the middle of an intersection.

(3) Turn left and continue along the wide track.

(4) At this point, walk close to the fence on your left to see some black pigs, then continue to the intersection after passing under two high-voltage power lines.

(5) Turn left and ignore the right-hand path leading to Vallon de la Vache. Follow the track straight ahead until you see a path branching off to the right with a red mark on a rock at the end of a left-hand bend.

(6) Enjoy the beautiful view of the Aire de la Moure and Marseille. Take the path that generally follows the top of the ridge and arrive at an intersection.

(7) Follow the path that climbs to the left and reach the plateau above the Aire de la Moure on a desert plateau made of red rocks with a 360° view of the surroundings.

(8) Descend to the previous fork.

(7) Turn left for a few metres and admire the reddish vertical walls of the area. Then retrace your steps and continue to the left. Follow the same route back to the car park, Chemin de Mordeau (S/E).

Plateau of the Aire de la Moure with a 360° view and "Martian" landscape.
Cliffs of the Aire de la Moure, reddened by the retardant poured onto this Canadair training area.