In the heart of the Cirque des Pételins via the Vallon de la Fenêtre

Park at the Col de la Gineste car park.

(S/E) Cross the road and take the path opposite. Continue towards Mont Puget until you reach Col Ricard.

(1) Continue the ascent towards Mont Puget. After about 1,150 metres, leave the path that branches off to the right and reach the next junction at the start of the path leading up to Mont Puget.

(2) Turn right here and head up the Vallon Mestrallet.

(3) At the junction, turn left onto the path that runs below Mont Puget. Continue until you reach a star-shaped junction.

(4) Cross this junction by going straight on to reach a track. Take this track to the left, walk for about 150 m, then rejoin the path that branches off to the right in a hairpin bend.

(5) Take care not to miss the start of the path that heads left towards the Vallon de la Fenêtre. It is not easily visible, and it is tempting to follow the clearly marked path straight ahead that leads to the Col de la Fenêtre. Make your way past a few cairns until you reach the superb Vallon de la Fenêtre. Begin the descent: you will soon see La Fenêtre high up on your right. Caution is required, as the stones roll underfoot, and you will need to use your hands from time to time. Once you have almost reached the bottom of the valley, look out for the path branching off to your right

(6) Once identified, this path climbs up to the ridges. About fifty metres before the Col de la Fenêtre, take the path on the left to return to the bottom of the valley. At the junction, head left and walk for about a hundred metres.

(7) Turn right to begin the ascent towards the Cirque des Pételins. Follow the path as it climbs in very short switchbacks. Pass a first path on the right which can serve as a shortcut for the hike, then a second one which can also help shorten the route. Continue on until the next junction, where you will see a path climbing steeply up the scree.

(8) At this fork, turn left to take a track that runs close to the cliffs. You’ll need to be observant to find your way and work out the best possible route, as there are no cairns. The section is short but requires great care. Continue the ascent to the next fork at the end of the Cirque des Pételins.

(9) Turn right to begin the descent along a well-marked path to the next fork.

(10) Head right down a scree slope, then continue along the path leading down towards the Vallon des Rampes until you reach a junction about fifty metres before a track.

(11) Take the path branching off to the left and begin the ascent, passing close to the Aven des Marseillais. Follow this path until you reach a junction.

(12) Leave the path on your left, continue straight on for about 1.5 km and eventually come out onto a track.

(13) Take the track on the right towards the Col de la Gardiole and head towards it. Signposts will guide you easily back to the Logissons car park.

(14) Follow the path on the left which descends, crossing the road twice and thus avoiding long stretches of tarmac. Return to the road and follow it in the same direction until you reach the start of a clearly marked, steep path which branches off to the right.

(15) Even though this marks the end of the walk, you must take this path to finish, and make the effort to avoid several bends on the tarmac road. Return to the road one last time and head back to the Logissons car park (E).

A shuttle service is required for this hike, but there is ample parking available, whether at Le Logisson or the Col de la Gineste.

This is a demanding hike, hence my notes below regarding possible alternatives.

Alternative route at (6): if the descent through the valley proved too difficult, you can easily avoid this short section at the Col de la Fenêtre by continuing along the path to the junction leading to the Cirque des Pételins.

Alternative route (8): you can avoid the section at the foot of the cliffs by taking the path that climbs steeply through scree and rejoins the well-marked trail.

Alternative route at (9): at this exact spot, there is a way to cut across to the Estret ridges and shorten the hike. You will see this path leading towards the ridge; you will need to use your hands a little to climb the rocks.

Alternative route (11): you can continue straight on to the track and follow it to the junction with another track. You will then need to turn left to follow it, pass the Gardiole Forest House and join the route described at the Col de la Gardiole (14).

Wearing good walking boots is essential. Trainers or flip-flops are not recommended.

There is no water along the route, so the hotter it is, the more water you’ll need to bring. Be careful, as the sun is intense in the calanques because shade is scarce.

A shuttle service is required for this route, but there is ample parking available at both Le Logisson and the Col de la Gineste.