Grand Caunet to Montounier circular loop

A walk offering beautiful views throughout, taking in Cuges-les-Pins, Gémenos, the Garlaban, the Marseille region and La Ciotat. It starts from the well-known car park at Grand Caunet, a lovely, well-shaded picnic area.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.03 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 902 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 886 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,847 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,099 ft

Photos

Description of the walk

The walk starts from the Grand Caunet car park, situated at the junction of the D3d and the D3, opposite a riding centre.

(S/E) Cross the D3d road with care, and go through a barrier to take a fire track marked GC107. Continue along this for 800 m.

(1) At a right-hand bend, take a path leading straight ahead, north-west, until you reach a junction.

(2) Turn right twice to begin a descent.

(3) At the end of the descent, continue along the track on the left, which climbs back up towards the D3d.

(4) Cross the road with care and , about thirty metres further up, take an uphill path signposted “Montounier”.

(5) After 800 m, at the top of the climb, take a short round trip straight ahead, due north, to the 488-metre mark to admire the view.

(6) Retrace your steps.

(5) Start the short climb to the right along the GR®98 to reach Montounier. A few viewpoints at the top are slightly obscured by vegetation. Continue along the GR®. On the descent, there’s a lovely view of La Ciotat.

(7) Once at the bottom, turn left onto the GR®5. Walk 2.4 km to return to the car park (S/E).

Note that on the left, you’ll soon spot a path running beneath the trees; this is a more pleasant route to take in summer.

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 1,309 ft - Grand Caunet car park
  2. 1 : mi 0.43 - alt. 1,381 ft - North-West Path
  3. 2 : mi 0.87 - alt. 1,286 ft - Turn right
  4. 3 : mi 1.07 - alt. 1,129 ft - Track on the left
  5. 4 : mi 1.53 - alt. 1,129 ft - D3d
  6. 5 : mi 2.09 - alt. 1,516 ft - Junction towards the viewpoint
  7. 6 : mi 2.28 - alt. 1,598 ft - Panorama
  8. 7 : mi 3.58 - alt. 1,598 ft - GR 51
  9. S/E : mi 5.03 - alt. 1,309 ft - Grand Caunet car park

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

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The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.