Around La Font de Mai

From the La Font de Mai estate, hike in the Pagnol hills with magnificent views of Marseille and the surrounding mountains.

Details

420651
Creation:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 16.36 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 6h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 751 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 748 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 681 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 190 m

Description of the walk

Park in the Font de Mai / Marcel Pagnol car park, see access in the Practical Information section below.

(S/E) From the car park, follow the signs for Font de Mai/Sentier Marcel Pagnol, then enter the park.

(1) Walk up towards the estate building, pass in front of it and continue to follow the yellow markings. You will reach the first well.

(2) Take the track on the left. Pay attention on the track and you will reach a crossroads.

(3) Take the path on the right, still marked in yellow. You will reach a cairn with the inscription "Sentier des Gesckos - Col d'Aubignane" on a stone. The path climbs to a large track.

(4) Turn left, pass under the two high-voltage power lines and descend to the left to Col d'Aubignane.

(5) Continue straight ahead for a few metres, then turn right, following the high-voltage power line. Descend under the pine trees into the Passe Temps valley towards Les Bellons. Follow the yellow markings, which lead to a small road.

(6) Turn left onto this small road, then right until you reach Chemin des Bellons.

(7) Turn right and continue to follow the yellow markings, passing Bastide Neuve and Tête Ronde. Continue past Jas de Batisto to reach Pas du Loup, then Grotte du Grosibou and finally Pic du Taoumé.

(8) Continue along the ridges, heading north-east, following the yellow markings. You will reach the Baume Sourne crossroads.

(9) Turn right, following the sign for Garlaban, and walk alongside Baume Sourne, then Puits du Mûrier. The yellow markings lead to a track; take it to the right and head for Col du Garlaban.

(10) Take the path on the right. Continue to Vallon des Piches. Take a detour to Baume du Plantier or Grotte de Manon.

(11) Continue downhill to Col d'Aubignane.

(5) Continue straight downhill, now following the blue markings. Walk past the Ferme d'Angèle and rejoin the trail you started on at a barrier.

(12) Turn right, continuing to follow the blue markings, which will take you back to the Parc de La Font de Mai.

(1) Return to the car park via the same route you took on the way there (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 206 m - La Font de Mai car park
  2. 1 : km 0.67 - alt. 210 m - Carrefour du Parc
  3. 2 : km 1.77 - alt. 265 m - Well, on the left, yellow markings.
  4. 3 : km 2.16 - alt. 269 m - Leave the track and take the path on the right that goes uphill.
  5. 4 : km 2.71 - alt. 358 m - On the left, under the high-voltage power line.
  6. 5 : km 3.13 - alt. 331 m - Col d'Aubignane
  7. 6 : km 4.09 - alt. 195 m - Turn left onto a small road.
  8. 7 : km 4.42 - alt. 215 m - Turn right onto Chemin des Bellons.
  9. 8 : km 7.6 - alt. 661 m - Pic du Taoumé
  10. 9 : km 8.36 - alt. 623 m - On the right, follow signs for Garlaban. - Col de la Baume Sourne (623m)
  11. 10 : km 10.47 - alt. 628 m - Path on the right - Col de Garlaban (628m)
  12. 11 : km 12.18 - alt. 473 m - Grotte du Plantier ou Grotte de Manon
  13. 12 : km 14.11 - alt. 288 m - On the right, blue signposting.
  14. S/E : km 16.36 - alt. 206 m - La Font de Mai car park

Notes

Access: From Roquevaire, head towards Pont de L'Étoile following the D96. In Pont de L'Étoile, continue to follow the D96, turning right then left towards Marseille (motorway), Aubagne centre, Parc d'activités de Napollon. 1 km after passing through Napollon, at the roundabout, take the second exit for Aubagne (not Marseille). Continue straight ahead on Rue Roger Salengro, then turn right towards Marseille via Eoures. Pass by the Nathalie Sarraute secondary school. Continue for 2.6 km on this road to reach the Font de Mai / Marcel Pagnol car park.

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 7 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.4 / 5
Route interest
4.4 / 5
Theoo
Theoo

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 29, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful hike, it's a shame there's no passage to Garlaban to take in the view. It's well worth the climb and only adds 30 minutes to the walk. A very beautiful hike overall. I recommend it.

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njnrando
njnrando

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 18, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Magnificent. A challenging hike with some serious climbing. Do not attempt this route unless you are in excellent physical condition.
Thank you for sharing 👍

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claude.tirocco
claude.tirocco

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 18, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

That day, there were hikers in the group (28 seniors) who were returning after various health problems, so we chose a short route from Font de Mai to Col d'Aubignane, Angèle's farm and back to Font de Mai for a picnic with the wives who had brought their grandchildren.

Several of us were already familiar with this area, and everyone enjoyed this short hike.

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gerard v
gerard v

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 14, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

It is best to be in good physical condition, and I think you should avoid days when it is very hot, otherwise it is a lovely walk with some beautiful views.

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ciarama
ciarama

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 26, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A lovely hike, beautiful route, and on top of that, glorious sunshine that day. Thank you, see you soon.
Jean Ciara

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johand
johand

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 19, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Beautiful Sunday hike! Not such an easy passage at Pic de Traoumé.

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nanou13430
nanou13430

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 27, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A magnificent hike, but one that should be classified as difficult. I highly recommend it!!!!

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