Châteauneuf-les-Martigues between ridges and valleys

Park in the large car park at Vallon du Saut, located at the end of the old Martigues road that runs alongside the A55 motorway.

(S/E) Go through the barrier and follow the DFCI CB108 track from Vallon du Saut for about 180 m. You will then see a steep climb on the left, in the middle of beautiful rock formations.

(1) Follow this direction for a slippery path through the scree. Keep right at a crossroads and you will arrive in an area of stones and dead trees resulting from a previous fire. Approach the rock face on your left to find a clearer and easier path to follow. On your left, you will see the Grotte aux Chèvres (Goat Cave) in the middle of a cliff. After passing between two rocky outcrops, the path levels out and arrives on the plateau. Admire the landscape of the Étangs de Berre and Bolmon lakes and, in the distance, the mountains of Provence.

(2) Turn right onto the desert plateau and walk for about 1 km. When you reach a Y-junction, follow the path on the left to arrive at an elevated fire cistern.

(3) Move about 20 metres along the right-hand track, then cross it to follow a wide path heading south-west, which passes by a fire station. After a right-hand bend, the path turns into a trail descending into a small valley. You will arrive at a junction with a pipeline track.

(4) Turn left onto the track, pass a barrier and arrive at a clear area with multiple paths near elevation 140.

(5) Pass by a high-voltage pylon and head south on an uphill track that turns right towards the west. After a left turn near elevation 190, you will arrive in front of a large sign at elevation 187.

(6) Continue straight ahead towards "CB 106 Carry le Rouet" as indicated on the sign. You will see a cistern and a telephone antenna. Just before the cistern, follow the path that goes around the antenna on the left and joins the main track further on. You will come to a crossroads, a "Rando Passion Cote Bleue" memorial and a picnic table at elevation 178.

(7) Turn right, heading south on Chemin de Valprête. Pass three signposts at elevations 174, 168 and 150, continuing to follow the south-west direction "Circular Route of Blue Mountain" indicated on the signs. You will arrive at an old rusty cistern.

(8) Take a sharp right turn to descend into the valley heading east then north. You will arrive at a Y-junction at elevation 94.

(9) Turn left onto a long straight road in the valley. You will arrive at a Y-junction with a gas pipeline (yellow posts).

(10) Turn right and make a circular loop to the left to avoid the steep, rocky climb. Return to the gas pipeline path and a Y-junction.

(11) Turn right and continue along the valley. The path is wide and pleasant. You will come to an open area and a Y-junction.

(12) Turn left for a short climb. At the top (elevation 141), there is a ruin. The path then descends and narrows. You will arrive at a Y-junction at elevation 98.

(13) Turn right and after about 200 m, you will come to a Y-junction.

(14) Keep left for a rough climb, heading north. About 800 metres further on, look for a small path on the right.

(15) Follow this path, which joins the DFCI track at elevation 158. Continue a few metres to the right until you reach a Y-junction.

(16) Turn left onto a winding descent that joins the Valtrède valley track further down, near the large Canal de Provence water reservoir. Turn right onto this track until you reach a junction and a signpost.

(17) Turn left at the signpost, go through a gate and arrive at a Y-junction.

(18) Turn right into the Maximin valley. Keep left at elevation 141 and arrive at a Y-junction with the pipeline trail.

(19) Turn right onto this track, which alternates between ascents and descents and is challenging at the end. You will arrive at a star-shaped junction.

(20) Turn right onto the^second track and you will soon reach a junction with the Vallon du Saut track at the "Forêt Communale de Canton" sign.

(21) Turn left onto the Vallon du Saut track. After a chicane, discover numerous rock formations such as "Roche Percée" on the left, the Fortin du Saut and the Debaussadou cave on the right. Return to the junction you passed on the way out.

(1) Keep left on the track and return to the car park, the starting point of this hike (S/E).

For information: the author took 3 hours 25 minutes to complete this route (excluding breaks).