Circular Garlaban starting from Peypin

Park at the side of the D 46a road at the roundabout.

(S/E) Take the path marked with double yellow and yellow-red markings. You will reach a hunting hide.

(1) Take the path that descends to the left. At the bottom of the descent, you will find a track junction.

(2) Take the track on the left uphill to go round La Cride heading east; this is the Chemin du Pic du Marseillais. You’ll reach a crossroads with several directions just before a water tank.

(3) Stay on the track on the right, continuing to follow the yellow and yellow-red markings. Pass in front of a DFCI water tank. Continue along this track, pass under two power lines, and carry on uphill to reach a path junction at the foot of Mont des Marseillais.

(4) Turn left onto the Balcon des Tourdes path. A gentle descent takes you out onto a ledge overlooking the Huveaune Valley. Then climb slightly to reach a junction of several paths.

(5) Ignore the path leading down to the left towards Lascours and head back up towards the cliffs, taking the^second path on the right. Continue through the Grand Vallon to reach its summit.

(6) Turn left after the^third mountain bike post, marked in light blue. Continue climbing; at the^first junction, leave the descending path on your left to reach, further on, the junction of the path leading to the Source de Barquieu.

(7) Turn left here, follow the path and, after a few bends, reach the Barquieu spring at the junction with the Sentier des Dansaïres.

(8) Take the path opposite, marked ‘L'Antique’, to reach the Col du Garlaban.

(9) From here, take one of the many paths leading to the summit of Garlaban.

(10) Descend back to the pass via the path of your choice.

(9) Turn left onto the wide track, passing a gate. Follow the track round a tight bend to reach a crossroads.

(11) Take the path on the left. Walk through an open area to reach the Puits du Mûrier.

(12) Continue straight ahead, passing close to the Grotte de la Baume Sourne. You will then reach a crossroads with several directions. Continue straight ahead along the wide track, reaching a path junction shortly afterwards.

(13) Turn almost 180° to the right, climb slightly to reach another junction in an open area.

(14) Take the path on the left, running alongside a small quarry. Continue through a wood until you reach a wider track.

(15) Take it to the left, keep to the right at the next junction to reach a path junction further on.

(16) Turn left, then cross the^GRP® 2013 Marseille Métropole. Continue straight down the slope and, after a few bends, reach the junction with the^GRP® Sentier Provence Mines d'Énergies.

::17: Follow it for a few metres, then leave it on the left to join the road and reach the hamlet of Le Régage at a place called Les Mies.

(18) Take the path on the left uphill towards the high-voltage pylons. Pass under the power lines again, staying on this path. Then follow the edge of the woods; at the junction, turn left and then immediately right to reach an old aviary.

(19) Continue straight ahead on an unmaintained and little-used path, which is nevertheless clearly visible. The path descends quite steeply until you reach the crossroads you passed on the way out, in the hamlet of La Rouvière.

(2) Turn left and retrace your steps, following the yellow-red markings to return to the car park on the Route du Régage D 46a (S/E).

There are various viewpoints along the route, particularly from the summit of Garlaban.
After (12) La Grotte de Baume Sourne, a very beautiful cave located about 500 m along the path on the right, with a very small opening. Baume Sourne means ‘dark cave’ in Provençal.