Circular botanical loop of the Carro Plain

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The Carro Plain Botanical Trail offers unique and educational walks to discover all the natural beauty of the Côte Bleue.
The Carro Plain is of major floristic interest, largely due to the presence of a unique substrate (Miocene molasse deposits or Burdigalian calcarenite).

It is home to, amongst other things, eight protected species of vascular plants.

Details

n°45192039
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 2.58 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 15 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 46 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 46 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 59 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 3 ft
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Description of the walk

(S/E) Cross the seafront car park and pass between the two rock formations at the far end of the car park. Continue to the blue-marked path.

(1) At the junction, turn right. At the crossroads, continue straight on towards the sewage treatment plant (the path veers slightly to the left).

(2) In front of the treatment plant, turn left and enter the heath biotope.

(3) Take the first right. Follow the path on the right and enter the olive grove biotope, which is colonised by pine trees, then the pine forest biotope. Pass in front of the German bunker at Bonnieu, dating from the Second World War.

(4) Go round it by turning right, then take the blue-marked path on the left. Climb up to the plateau on the right and enter the bryophyte meadow. Keep going straight on until you reach the ammunition bunker.

(5) Go left, then take the path on the right. On the descent, go straight on towards Bonnieu until the next junction.

(6) At the junction, keep to your right and follow the area covered by the Prefectural Biotope Protection Order established to protect the natural habitat of Merendera filifolia. Turn left towards the Bonnieu Sud car park, then straight on immediately. Follow the path on your right (behind the boulders) then follow the path running parallel to the road towards La Donnelle and the naturist centre.

(7) Continue leftwards along the Bonnieu wetland and take the greenway towards Carro. You will follow the coastline. Keep right to follow the coastline at the first path on the right. You will arrive at the Crique des Arnettes, where halophytic plants grow, as well as Posidonia in the water. Continue along the greenway to return to your starting point at the fourth path on the left. (S/E)

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 13 ft - Les Arnettes car park
  2. 1 : mi 0.17 - alt. 13 ft - Blue-marked trail
  3. 2 : mi 0.32 - alt. 36 ft - Heath biotope
  4. 3 : mi 0.59 - alt. 20 ft - Olive grove biotope
  5. 4 : mi 0.72 - alt. 43 ft - German bunker at Bonnieu
  6. 5 : mi 1 - alt. 56 ft - Ammunition bunker
  7. 6 : mi 1.16 - alt. 16 ft - Crossroads towards Bonnieu beach
  8. 7 : mi 1.42 - alt. 16 ft - Bonnieu Naturist Centre
  9. S/E : mi 2.58 - alt. 13 ft - Les Arnettes car park

This route passes through a protected area, which may be subject to special regulations:

Worth a visit

- Biotopes
- Floristic interest on the Carro Plain

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 5 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.2 / 5
OT Martigues
OT Martigues

Hello Ojeannot, thank you for your feedback regarding the signs. We will check with the city council and report these issues. We are delighted to hear that you still enjoyed your lovely walk along the seafront Have a wonderful day

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ojeannot
ojeannot

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 06, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We followed and enjoyed this hike.

The blue markings are sufficient to follow the hike, but there are no signs at the starting point to indicate the trail. The only place I saw a sign mentioning the botanical loop was at (2).

Between (7) and (S), I saw several signs, but they were zoological rather than botanical. In fact, throughout the entire hike, I did not see any botanical information signs.

Otherwise, for people who, like us, don't have a car, it would be useful to mention that there is a bus between the station and the port of Carro.

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OT Martigues
OT Martigues

Hello Leleu, thank you for your feedback We will pass on the information regarding the signs to the council’s sports department. We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed your walk

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Leleu
Leleu

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 23, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walking route, with an interesting botanical description towards the end, apart from the weathered signs.

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OT Martigues
OT Martigues

Hello, thank you for your feedback . Indeed, the hiking trails are still quiet, so now’s the perfect time to make the most of them! I look forward to bumping into you on your next hike.

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randorhonecamargue
randorhonecamargue

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 18, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

A walk along the coast from Carro to Bonnieux Cove, then back over the hill – an easy stroll as part of a fitness walk.
No crowds on the route yet!!!

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OT Martigues
OT Martigues

Hello, thank you very much for your feedback on this walk. We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed the scenery :-) We look forward to showing you some new trails along the Mediterranean coast.

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ObiwanKennedy
ObiwanKennedy

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 17, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

It’s an easy walk, clearly described and straightforward to follow using the app.
As I know the area, I was worried that the first part of the walk might be a bit spoiled by the view of the EDF power station chimneys and the Lavéra industrial estate nearby.
But actually, no! The layout of the terrain and the vegetation means you hardly ever see them. It was a pleasant surprise!

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vivico
vivico

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 21, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

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