From Pichauris to the small pass of the Ratier

A circular route through ridges and valleys, mostly on well-maintained paths, towards the Collet du Ratier hill. Magnificent scenery throughout the route and old stone quarries to explore. 

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.14 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 20 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,827 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,808 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,716 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 784 ft

Photos

Description of the walk

On the D908, take the D46a at the Auberge de Pichauris. Drive past the park car park and park further on in the large Micocouliers car park, signposted.

(S/E) Head due north, cross the D46a with care and take the descending path opposite, marked in yellow and red as part of the GRP® 2013. At the bottom of the valley, you’ll reach a T-junction.

(1) Turn right. After a circular bend to the left, the path climbs, passing an observation post (for hunters). At the top, turn right, pass under a high-voltage power line and follow the wide path heading east.

(2) Turn left, following the GRP® signposts. In front of the ruins of La Bastidonne, head left and arrive at a Y-junction.

(3) Turn right and walk past the Romu and Antonin wells. Continue northwards along a path that has recently been widened and cleared of undergrowth. You’ll reach a plateau near fire hydrant no. 478.Opposite is Mont Julien and to the left is Montagne Sainte Victoire. Head left, heading west. You’ll reach a Y-junction.

(4) Turn right, then about 40 m further on keep to the right and cross a log bridge. Follow the path as it winds downwards. Cross a second log bridge, then arrive at a T-junction near the D908 road and the Ruisseau le Jarret (dry).   

(5) Turn right and follow the path which runs alongside the Jarret and crosses it in places. On the right is a disused power line. You’ll reach a junction with a post and an old sign showing the number 5.

(6) Turn left onto a path that approaches the road and then runs alongside it on the left. You’ll reach a Y-junction and a signpost.

(7) Turn right and go through the tunnel under the D908 road. At the exit, keep to the left, follow a power line for about 50 m before veering off to the right (blue-marked post). Mont Julien is in sight. You’ll reach a DFCI track.

(8) Turn right onto this track, then, about 200 metres further on, turn left at a Fork in the road at elevation 421 and next to fire tank no. 521. Follow this track for about 1,200 metres to the522-metre mark, a signpost and fire tank no. 602.Take in the panoramic view of Marseille.

(9) Turn left towards Boucle de l’Etoile. The path descends, passes under a high-voltage pylon, then climbs steeply before levelling out. Pass elevation 504 and arrive at a Y-junction and a signpost.

(10) Turn right, heading west. About 100 m further on, leave the path on your right that leads to the Vallon du Ratier (signpost) for an easy climb to the summit of the Collet du Ratier at elevation 464. The descent is then steeper and slippery, passing through a former stone quarry. Join the Ratier Valley path. You’ll come to a junction with stone drinking troughs for animals.

(11) Turn left to climb up a small valley. Cross another old stone quarry before joining a DFCI track at an elevation of 411.

(12) Turn right onto this track, then, about 320 m further down, turn left at a Y-junction. You’ll reach the D908 road; cross it carefully. Opposite is a signpost.

(13) Turn right at the sign. Keep to the left and gradually move away from the road. Pass a path on the left, then keep right at a Y-junction. You’ll see the GRP® markings on a post. After a bend to the right, you’ll spot a hunting lookout post. You’ll reach an X-junction.

(14) Slightly to the right, head down the path opposite, which joins the D46a at a bend. Cross the road with care.

(15) Follow the road below on the right and join a DFCI track which heads south, then turns east and then north-east for a climb (which is quite challenging at the end of the route) before reaching the car park (S/E).  

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 1,276 ft - Micocouliers car park
  2. 1 : mi 0.22 - alt. 1,171 ft - T-junction
  3. 2 : mi 0.74 - alt. 1,332 ft - Towards La Bastidonne
  4. 3 : mi 0.94 - alt. 1,299 ft - Towards Les Puits
  5. 4 : mi 1.22 - alt. 1,371 ft - Y-junction
  6. 5 : mi 1.66 - alt. 1,168 ft - Y-junction - Jarret (rivière)
  7. 6 : mi 1.91 - alt. 1,188 ft - Y-junction
  8. 7 : mi 2.08 - alt. 1,204 ft - Towards the tunnel
  9. 8 : mi 2.52 - alt. 1,362 ft - DFCI track
  10. 9 : mi 3.37 - alt. 1,716 ft - Elevation 522
  11. 10 : mi 3.85 - alt. 1,654 ft - Y-junction
  12. 11 : mi 5.21 - alt. 784 ft - Watering holes
  13. 12 : mi 6.37 - alt. 1,352 ft - Elevation 411
  14. 13 : mi 6.94 - alt. 1,056 ft - Signpost
  15. 14 : mi 7.2 - alt. 1,138 ft - X-shaped junction
  16. 15 : mi 7.5 - alt. 1,063 ft - Path opposite the road
  17. S/E : mi 8.14 - alt. 1,280 ft - Micocouliers car park

Notes

For reference: the author’s time for this route was 3 hours 50 minutes (excluding breaks)

Worth a visit

Mont Julien

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 3 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
Haddouche
Haddouche

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 02, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike with varied landscapes. The paths range from wide, easy trails to narrow footpaths. Views of Marseille.

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moliere8
moliere8

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 16, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike completed in February 2026 with wind gusts of 70 to 75 km/h.
90% of the route is open, allowing you to enjoy the beautiful scenery that nature has to offer.
Fantastic views of Marseille and the mountains.
So be careful in the sun in summer.

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Gijean
Gijean

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 24, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk with varied terrain; after the March rains, there were lots of little streams.
I can confirm that the final climb is quite a challenge towards the end of the route.
The walk took 3 hours 40 minutes
Thanks to the author

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