Country:
District:
Reach Niolon via the D48 and park in the car park on the right-hand side before the entrance to the village.
(S/E) Follow the road, pass the station and reach the tunnel under the railway line. Do not go through it, but turn opposite to reach the residents' car park at the end of the cul-de-sac.
Blue markings
Head to the end of the car park and go through a small gate to take the path that runs alongside the railway line. Pass a building on your left to reach a scree slope and a fork in the path that is not very obvious.
(1) Turn left onto a small stony path to descend into the valley towards the railway bridge overlooking the Calanque du Jonquier. Climb up the other side, pass at the foot of one of the bridge piers (heavily tagged, unfortunately!) and continue on flat ground, enjoying the view of Marseille and the Frioul Islands.
Further on, ignore a path branching off to the right towards a tunnel in the rock (not shown on the map) and keep left, following the blue markings on the ground. After about 200 metres, take the path on the right (cairn) which goes around the pretty Calanque du Riflard.
(2) Cross a narrow crack then climb up a scree slope, following the path which then veers left to run alongside one of the railway engineering structures. Continue towards the Moulon promontory which closes off the cove on the west side. Pass it on your left and you will come within sight of the Éverine cove, opposite the island of the same name.
After crossing a rocky passage secured by two straps, pass under the railway bridge and climb up to the junction at the entrance to the Éverine valley.
No markings
(3) Leave the blue markings and turn right onto the track that enters the valley and winds its way along its contours.
(4) About 40 metres before the ruins of a stone building, leave the track and take a narrow path on the right marked by a cairn. After a steep climb, this path leads to a junction where you should turn left to quickly reach the road leading to Fort de Niolon Haut.
(5) Cross the road and continue straight ahead. When you reach a large crossroads, continue straight ahead on the wide path until it turns right downhill towards a small olive grove. Leave the path at this point and take a much narrower path opposite.
(6) Keep left at the intersection marked by a stone on the ground with a very old green arrow on it. After crossing a small pass, the path begins a fairly technical descent (watch out for the many stones underfoot) to the D48.
Cross with caution, then turn right and follow the road to the small car park on the left at the entrance to the La Vesse service road. Pass the containers, turn immediately left to go through a white metal barrier and cross a large dirt area. At the end, find a path to follow uphill, aiming for a double wooden electricity pole.
(7) Take the path on the right which, after a short climb, levels out before rising again to reach a crossroads (cairn). Turn left, keep right at the next junction (not shown on the map) and start the climb that leads to the tarmac road leading to Fort de Figuerolles. Turn left and continue for about 20 metres.
(8) Cross the road and take the path that starts on the right and climbs steeply. A few metres later, turn right, following a green mark on the ground that you will not see again. Keep to the right at the next fork, then continue straight ahead, crossing tiny plots of cultivated land and walking alongside an aviary before reaching a wide track.
(9) Turn right. Walk about 50 metres, then descend to the left to the pretty rural site of the Puits de l'Œuvre, which is ideal for a break. Then return to the track and continue to the left until you reach the fork (elevation 195) located after a large rock at the base of which there is a yellow sign bearing the inscription "La Basse de l'Œuvre".
Go straight ahead and slightly to the right to reach a new crossroads with a beautiful view of Marseille. Turn right to rejoin the tarmac road, follow it to the right and then take the first path on the left (fluorescent pink mark on the ground). Enter the Fontêtes valley through a beautiful pine plantation.
(10) Continue on the left. After a left turn and a short climb, keep left to follow a narrower path that avoids a steep and slippery descent. Continue to a three-way junction.
(11) Take the narrowest path (right fork). Continue almost level until you reach a large crossroads at the foot of the large rock bearing the cross overlooking the La Vesse pass.
(12) Turn right, then quickly veer left to begin a steep descent where it will sometimes be useful to hold on to the pine trees at the edge of the path to keep your balance. Reach the dirt car park at the foot of the railway viaduct and turn left towards the port.
Go past the first barrier, then take the passage on the right to go around the second one. You will arrive at a car park after passing several dilapidated buildings covered in graffiti, which unfortunately detract from the charm of the place.
Cross the car park and continue along a path that quickly gives way to a concrete staircase winding its way through the aloe plants. Then begin the descent down a concrete alleyway. When you reach a green letterbox, don't forget to take a short detour a few metres to the left to reach a magnificent viewpoint over the port of Niolon and the calanque.
Continue downhill, turning left to reach the harbour. Walk along the harbour to the concrete jetty, then retrace your steps. Take the steps below La Pergola restaurant, turn left at the corner of its terrace to reach Chemin de la Pergola.
Turn right, then left onto Chemin du Port before turning right to pass under the railway line. Continue along the road to reach the car park (S/E).
Visorando member
Easy 
Difficult 
