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).