Cadolive walks

A beautiful hike above Cadolive that will take you to the summit of Mont Julien, where you can enjoy magnificent panoramic views of Sainte-Victoire, the Alps and the bay of Marseille.

Hike in the Étoile massif with views of Sainte-Victoire Mountain, Ventoux, the Alps, and at the same time, Marseille and the Mediterranean.

A walk in a regional park with beautiful trails, varied routes and trees, trees and more trees. Departure from the park’s car park at the Pichauris Hostel.

This hike starts from Pichauris and takes you through spectacular scenery: La Parloire, a large, steep cirque reminiscent of an ancient theatre, and Barre Coupée, a long rock formation that looks as if it has been carved with an axe and has only one point of passage.

A hike through the pines and scrubland of the Massif du Garlaban, so dear to Marcel Pagnol. Starting from the Pichauris car park, the circuit first leads you to the Puits de l'Aroumi (the wells of Aroumi) then the Mont du Marseillais along beautiful, well marked paths, often along ridges, offering magnificent views over Marseille, Sainte-Victoire, Mont Ventoux and, in good weather, the Préaples de Provence. The intense luminosity of the rocks under the brilliance of the sun will leave no-one indifferent.

This hike around Peypin will allow you to discover the village, its history and its hills. You will walk along a stream, which is remarkable when in full flow with its small waterfall and pools, and follow paths through shady valleys. The hike ends with a tour of the village's narrow streets and a visit to the castle. If you wish, you can skip this last part (see (8) for things to do nearby).

Starting from La Bouilladisse station, this hike climbs through oak and pine forests onto a vast plateau, then descends through gorges to the hamlet of Le Pigeonnier and then La Bouillladisse. The hike is accessible via the free public transport network of the Pays d'Aubagne et de l'Étoile. Line 5: La Bouilladisse station stop.

Another idea for a route to reach the magnificent site of La Parloire is to take beautiful trails with views of Marseille, the Chaîne de l'Étoile and the Montagne de Sainte-Victoire.

The circuit allows you to discover pretty secret valleys in the Grand Puech massif and magnificent panoramic views of Marseille, Cadolive and Sainte-Victoire.

A beautiful hike to Mont Julien and the Grotte des Fées with magnificent views of Marseille, Cadolive, Gardanne and the Sainte-Victoire Massif in the background. Return via the Figuière and Vache valleys.

A loop around the Bau Trauqua mountain, part of the Chaîne de l'Etoile between Marseille and Aix-En-Provence. Hike along the ridge and enjoy the many magnificent views over the well-known massifs of Sainte Victoire, Garlaban and Sainte-Baume. In spring, the scents are magnificent, not to mention the flora and fauna that awaken. This hike starts off moderately difficult, then becomes a medium hike with some very fine views.

A challenging hike to the peaks of Bau Trauqua mountain via the valley of the Grotte des Ermites, then back via the Col Sainte Anne and the Grotte du Facteur. Along the way, you will find caves, grottos, springs and a well. A wild landscape with strangely shaped rocks.

Starting from the Marseille metropolitan area, a combination of classic trails and lesser-known paths to reach and explore a section of the Chaîne de l'Étoile ridges.

An easy hike, mostly on fairly wide tracks, then a path leading to the Aire de la Moure from the Vallon de Mordeau. Beautiful views of Marseille and all the surrounding hills with beautiful colours to discover. You may even see black pigs raised organically along the way.

A short hike in the Étoile massif between tracks and trails. You will often come across a herd of goats roaming free on or near the boules court. Please do not feed them (there is a sign reminding you that this is prohibited). However, if you have any water left over after your hike, especially in summer, please feel free to fill their water tanks.

This walk is not difficult as it is mostly on easy-to-walk, fairly wide tracks. It takes you through the heath with beautiful views of Sainte-Victoire and Sainte-Baume. Its highest point, Le Régagnas, offers a 360° view, which is perfect on clear days. You can picnic nearby and even see the foothills of the Alps if the weather permits.

This short but fairly challenging hike takes you along numerous small paths and immerses you in a fairly wild area. It also allows you to reach the famous Pilon, visible from all over the Aix region.

Mont du Marseillais, which is easily accessible, offers a wonderful 360° panorama of the surrounding mountains and even the Mercantour on a clear day. After passing the small summit of Le Défens, the descent is via Le Grand Vallon to return to the Marseillais valley, where pine trees reign supreme. A beautiful, peaceful loop in unspoilt wilderness, undisturbed by the rare cars that use the tracks.

A beautiful hike with cable and chain passages and magnificent 360° views from the top of the Garlaban. Please note that a municipal by-law has prohibited descent via the Dansaires trail since 2010 due to rockfalls.

This short walk on the heights of Auriol was discovered by chance while trying to get as close as possible to the chapel, which stands out immaculately against the blue sky. It's a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon with the family, climbing just 37 metres. From the top, there is a remarkable view of the village and the entire surrounding area, from the northern slopes of the Sainte-Baume mountain range to the east to the Étoile mountain range to the west.

A short hike to the famous Taoumé, dear to Marcel Pagnol. It is best to avoid this walk in the heat of summer.

A circular walk on fairly wide tracks in the Plan de Cuques Communal Forest with beautiful views of the surrounding mountains and the city of Marseille, starting from La Montade. The first part of the walk is quite strenuous as it climbs steadily. The second part is downhill. Can be done on foot or by bike.

A short hike but with lots of curiosities to discover. Engravings on limestone slabs made by the ancient shepherds of Pas dei Menoun and Source du Chien, a rare spring that still flows throughout the winter and into spring. The Berger cave and its engravings, the Grotte de l'Étoile where you can see water gushing out after heavy storms. Finally, on the way back, the Laurier spring and the ascent of the Grande Tête Rouge for a 360° panorama of Marseille and its surroundings.

Route in the hills of Allauch, taking paths that are less frequented than the main tracks. A feeling of wild tranquillity in the heath. Beautiful views of Marseille and the Chaîne de l'Étoile, particularly the Aire de la Moure, a training area for Civil Protection aircraft.

A pleasant hike to the Baumes des Pestiférés, then a detour to the Vallon des Escaouprés with its large limestone slabs and water-filled potholes. Along the way or nearby, you will find the Pichoun Ome spring, the Grande Tête Rouge, Le Col du Sauvage and La Tête Ronde with ancient bauxite deposits, the Berger and Etoile caves, La Source du Chien and its rock carvings, and finally La Pounche des Escaouprés. Beautiful views of Allauch, Marseille and the Étoile mountain range.

Double circular in the hills of Allauch starting from the Notre Dame du Château Chapel. Walk along the Baume des Pestiférés and the Tête Ronde, then climb up to the Pic du Taoumé. Then pass through the Escaouprés valley and begin the climb to the summit of Grande Tête Rouge, then Pounche des Escaouprés. Return via an old bauxite quarry at the foot of Petite Tête Rouge.

Hike around the Tête Ronde, with superb views of Marseille.

A short sporting excursion in the hills of Allauch: Petite and Grande Tête Rouge, returning via the Notre-Dame du Château Chapel, offering three magnificent viewpoints. Finally, a short stroll through the village of Allauch.

A beautiful hike in the Étoile massif on tracks or paths with magnificent views of Marseille, the Étoile and Mediterranean vegetation: fig trees, arbutus trees, heather, rosemary, etc.

A beautiful hike in the Massif de l'Etoile, with superb views of Marseille, its surroundings and the Frioul Islands. The colours and scents of the heath accompany walkers throughout the circuit.

An original circular in the Étoile massif to discover numerous wells and old lime kilns.

Set off to discover these famous places in the Aubagne region: Puits de Raimu, Mas de Massacan, Col d'Aubignane, Pierres gravées de Louis Douard, Col et Sommet du Garlaban, Puits du Mûrier, Baume Sourne, Pic du Taoumé, Grotte de Grosibou, Pas du Loup and Pierre Gravée du Berger, Jas de Batisto, Tête Ronde, Barres du Saint Esprit and the ruins of the village of Aubignane from the film Regain.

Short hike to reach the foot of the Baume de Passe-Temps. Pass through the Col d'Aubignane before descending into the Passe-Temps valley. Nice view of the surrounding peaks: Tête Rouge and Taoumé.

Discover the landscapes of Marcel Pagnol's films. No particular difficulty, apart from a slightly steep climb to reach the Barres du Saint-Esprit. Beautiful views of the surrounding peaks, Tête Touge, Escaouprès, Taoumé and Garlaban.

Have you heard of the rock carvings in the Garlaban massif? This route takes you there, where you can admire them in peace. The path is not easy, but it offers beautiful views of the mountains surrounding Marseille and the Bellons. On the way down, you will discover the Baume du Plantier (Manon's cave), the Vallon des Piches, the Ferme d'Angèle and the Puits de Raimu.

From the vallons de Préscator and des Piches to the Garladan summit, this hike allows you to immerse yourself in the natural world that Marcel Pagnol grew up in. This itinerary, with its many well-known sites, is above all a variation on the Garladan and is in no way intended to replace the guided tours offered by the tourist office.

A lovely, very easy family walk between Peynier and Les Michels, with an elevation gain of just 120 metres. You will pass an old miner's house, enjoy beautiful views of Sainte-Victoire and walk along an ancient Roman road, some of whose cobblestones remain.

A challenging 16 km circular route to discover the summit of Garlaban via the Scolopendres trail, the Barquieu spring near the Grand Ravin and the corniches of the Grand Vallon, the Puit de l'Aroumi via the Puits du Murier and Baume Sourne, which can be visited in full sunlight or with a powerful torch. Finally, the Pic du Taoumé and the famous Grosibou cave. Return via the Pas du Loup towards the Col d'Aubignane.

A short detour into the hills made famous by Marcel Pagnol. After the Ferme d'Angèle site, the climb to the Barres Rocheuses du Saint-Esprit leads to two magnificent viewpoints from which you can admire the many peaks often mentioned in the writer's works. The tracks and paths are imbued with the scent of the ever-present pine trees: a breath of fresh air on the outskirts of Aubagne.

Circuit following in Marcel Pagnol's footsteps, passing by the Baume du Plantier (Manon’s Cave) then reaching the legendary Garlaban. The return journey passes by the peak of Taoumé and Grosibou Cave and ending with the Vallon de Passe-Temps.

A pleasant hike on steep trails to the Manon and Cerf caves, then around the Vallon de Marcelin, passing by the ruins of the village of Aubignane on the ridges of the Barres Rocheuses du Saint-Esprit. Magnificent views of Marseille, the Chaîne de l'Étoile and the Massif du Garlaban.

This is an exciting hike that combines the appeal of hiking with cultural interest. Throughout the circuit, you will discover the locations where Marcel Pagnol's works were filmed. In addition, at the top of Garlaban, the view is breathtaking, with a 360° panorama of Marseille, the Mediterranean Sea and the beginning of the Côte d'Azur, as well as the surrounding landscape, including La Sainte-Victoire and the Sainte-Baume mountain range.

This hike involves climbing to the summit of the Étoile from the north. The start and finish are in a wooded valley, but the rest of the route is very open: you are on a summit ridge and the landscape is magnificent, provided the visibility is good (Marseille, Côte Bleue, Étang de Berre, Alpilles, Mont Ventoux, Aix, Sainte-Victoire, Pilon du Roi).

This hike leads to the Hermitage of Saint-Jean du Puy, an observatory overlooking the Arc Valley and facing the Sainte-Victoire Mountain. On the other side, to the south, is the village of Saint-Zacharie and the Sainte-Baume mountain range. The site, which has become a favourite spot for hikers, consists of a refuge, a chapel, a shelter with gardens and a watchtower that serves as an observatory overlooking the valley.

This hike takes you through different environments in a very short time 

A beautiful loop with spectacular views at the top and a return via the Vallon des Piches, which offers views over the whole of Marseille.

This hike is located near Aubignane, a site at the foot of Garlaban, where Marcel Pagnol built several brick buildings for filming his movies. It is, in a way, our Provençal Hollywood. Only a few ruined houses remain, those used in the films Angèle and Regain, but all these places are steeped in history. In accordance with the illustrious writer's wishes, a few wheat fields are still cultivated there for the exclusive use of local waterfowl.

A splendid walk starting from the Encanaux, near Auriol, along the top of the Infernets and then the Coutronne ravines. At times along the cliffside ravines, similar to some sections of the Gorges du Verdon. From Lare Pass (Col de la Lare), you will have a magnificent view of the Sainte-Baume range and the Pic de Bertagne to the south and Sainte-Victoire Mountain, Mont Olympe and Mont Aurélien to the north.

The Encanaux and Infernets ravines are two remarkable valleys near Auriol. This route will take you up the entire length of the wild Encanaux ravine, which is very quiet and shaded in hot weather. The return journey will take you through the more classic Coutronne and Infernets ravines with their beautiful landscapes.

A very short hike between Meyreuil and the Pont de Bayeux, through vineyards, pine and oak woods on a hill with very pleasant views of the Sainte-Victoire mountain.

This trail is another way of getting to the Petit Tuny hut. On this trail, you stay off the DFCI tracks as much as possible, by taking non-waymarked paths instead. At the highest point of the route, you will have a wonderful view over Garlaban, the Huveaune Valley and Bertagne Peak.

An easy, short hike where you can grill your meal.

A short, easy and pleasant hike, alternating between springs, gorges and small caves, with picnic areas along the stream. Moderator's warning on 25/01/2021: Please note! Reviews of this hike indicate that it is preferable to have a GPS device to follow the route correctly and that some paths have been overgrown.

This is a beautiful loop with a very steady climb through a picturesque valley, under tunnels of vegetation and magnificent suspended rocks. There are splendid views of the Huveaune valley, Géménos, Aubagne and Marseille. Next, pass by the very welcoming Tuny refuge and descend via the Vallon de Saint Clair, which also offers beautiful landscapes of steep rocks.

A short family hike on wide, passable paths. Walk on the plateau and in the valley. Beautiful unobstructed views of Sainte-Victoire Mountain, the city of Aix-en-Provence, the Roquefavour Aqueduct and the TGV viaduct.

This short hike takes you through the Valabre Forest with beautiful views of the Étoile massif (Pilon du Roi) and the Luynes valley between Gardanne and Luynes. The nearby cliffs add to the picturesque nature of this route.

pLEASE NOTE: work is being carried out on the Gardanne-Luynes railway line. The hiking trails are closed to the public. A Sunday family walk through landscapes of small rivers and hills, without going into the department's large parks.

La Sainte-Baume as you've never seen it before: a ledge at the foot of imposing rocky peaks, a short climb to reach an isolated plateau offering panoramic views of the Alps as far as Cap Sicié. The entire walk is on small, wild trails, just the way I like them. A challenging walk with an 8-metre rock climb, rated 2 at most (easy scrambling).

This hike will take you above the beautiful Falaise de la Galère cliff with its breathtaking views to the fascinating Grande Baume cave, which you will cross from end to end. Don't be put off by the elevation gain, as it wasn't too difficult for our old legs.