"Cabanons du Marquis et des Gardes" with a trip back through Vallon de Gendame

A long but straight-forward hike overlooking "Baie de la Ciotat" and a beautiful view over Sainte-Baume mountain range and Sainte-Victoire Mountain.

Technical sheet No. 4098533

A Ceyreste walk posted on 10/03/16 by Tamtraductions. Last update : 18/05/16

Calculated time: 6h00 ?

Distance : 16.26 km

Vertical gain : 468 m

Vertical drop : 463 m

Highest point : 515 m

Lowest point : 102 m

Difficulty : Moderate

Back to starting point : Yes

Walking

Location : Ceyreste (13600)

Starting point : N 43.234581° / E 5.671757°

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Description

Park at Grand Caunet car park, a busy mountain biker spot.

(S/F) Follow the GR51 and 98 heading west until a crossroads with a cistern.

(1) Ignore the path on the left, and head up towards "Cabanon du Marquis" ignoring the path to the right leading to "le Montounier".

(2) Carry on until you reach "Cabanon des Gardes" (360° panoramic view: Baie de La Ciotat, Sainte-Baume, Sainte-Victoire, Mont Ventoux in the distance...).

(3) Head downhill on the forest trail now waymarked Yellow until you reach a hairpin turn.

(4) Leave the Yellow waymarked track and take the path on the left overlooking Vallon de Gendame. Head down towards the Oppidum.

(5) Regain the Yellow waymarked track. At each turn, you can either follow the Yellow waymarks or the cairns. Otherwise, remain on the forest trail until you reach a gate the head left.

(6) Head up the far end of "Vallon de Gendame" passing by a second gate. Then head towards Ceyreste sports field and tennis court along the campsite. You'll reach another gate near a pylon.

(7) After the gate, follow the Yellow waymarks heading towards Pelengarri taking you from an altitude of 184 m to 380 m at (1) where you'll find the GR from the beginning.

(1) Head downhill to the right, leading to the car park (S/F).

Waypoints :
D/A : km 0 - alt. 399 m
1 : km 1.49 - alt. 431 m - Cistern crossroads
2 : km 3.21 - alt. 515 m - Cabanon du Marquis
3 : km 5.1 - alt. 475 m - 360) panoramic view
4 : km 6.02 - alt. 409 m - Remain on the forest trail on the left
5 : km 7.95 - alt. 283 m - Junction with the Yellow waymarked trail
6 : km 10.3 - alt. 104 m - 2nd gate at the far end of Vallon de Gendame
7 : km 12.09 - alt. 191 m - Gate, head towards Pellengarri
D/A : km 16.26 - alt. 399 m

Useful Information

Visorando and this author cannot be held responsible in the case of accidents or problems occuring on this walk.

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The GPS track and description are the property of the author.