From Chemin de la Forêt to La Moure and back via the Mordeau valley.

A hike to the highly original Aire de la Moure with its panoramic view of the Marseille region. Avoid Thursdays, as this is when Canadairs and other Dash 8 aircraft practise their drops.

Details

88509747
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 12.24 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 414 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 409 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 502 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 170 m
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ City: Allauch (13190)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 43.363457° / E 5.490385°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 3145ET
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Photos

Description of the walk

The walk starts from a few parking spaces located at the top of Chemin de Mordeau, at the exit of Plan-de-Cuques, in the Mordeau district.

(S/E) Walk back down the road and, at the bottom, immediately take the street (Chemin de la Forêt) on the left for about 300 m.

(1) Take the path immediately to the right of a gate. Follow it for 600 m.

(2) Turn right and descend to a track at a crossroads.

(3) Turn left and arrive in the valley.

(4) Follow the track up to the right.

(5) Avoid the first path on the right, which comes to an end, and go around a small field to rejoin the path. Ignore a path on the left further on and walk along a small meadow.

(6) Go up a path on the right, pass in front of a ruin and rejoin a track.

(7) Turn left onto this track and walk for about a kilometre.

(8) Ignore a path on the left and continue straight ahead on the track.

(9) Ignore the return path on the left. Continue straight ahead for about 100 metres.

(10) Follow a path on the right just after a left-hand bend. You will arrive below La Moure and, after a short descent on the right, take a path on the left that leads up to the Aire de la Moure plateau.

(11) Admire the landscape. Turn back to the second intersection.

(9) Turn right and continue to the entrance of a property two kilometres further on, at a place called Le Tourdre, and climb up on the left to a trail intersection.

(12) Descend the track on the left for a good two kilometres.

(13) Descend a path on the left just before a crossroads. Ignore the first turn-off on the right.

(14) Turn right 50 metres further on and carefully begin a tricky descent. You will arrive in the Mordeau valley.

(15) Descend for 1,500 metres.

(16) Turn left onto Rue des Perdreaux. You will soon return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 185 m - Car park, Chemin de Mordeau
  2. 1 : km 0.77 - alt. 195 m - Intersection
  3. 2 : km 1.36 - alt. 292 m - Path on the right
  4. 3 : km 1.49 - alt. 286 m - Track on the left
  5. 4 : km 1.78 - alt. 243 m - Track on the right
  6. 5 : km 2.06 - alt. 266 m - Field on the right
  7. 6 : km 2.69 - alt. 296 m - Path ascending to the right
  8. 7 : km 3.09 - alt. 341 m - Track on the left
  9. 8 : km 4.09 - alt. 393 m - Crossroads
  10. 9 : km 4.75 - alt. 436 m - Fork in the road. Return trip to the summit
  11. 10 : km 4.86 - alt. 443 m - Fork in the road. Return trip to the summit
  12. 11 : km 5.27 - alt. 502 m - Aire de la Moure
  13. 12 : km 8 - alt. 352 m - Track on the left
  14. 13 : km 9.96 - alt. 336 m - Path on the left
  15. 14 : km 10.21 - alt. 305 m - Path on the right
  16. 15 : km 10.55 - alt. 236 m - Mordeau valley
  17. 16 : km 12.12 - alt. 185 m - Rue des Perdreaux
  18. S/E : km 12.24 - alt. 185 m - Car park, Chemin de Mordeau

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 4 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
Pat Patroff
Pat Patroff

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 08, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk.
Although it was on a Wednesday; a parade of Canadair aircraft without any water drops.

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GarlabanTaoume
GarlabanTaoume

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 02, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Be careful in the last part of this hike, the green trail, as the descent is very steep. It is short, but very slippery.

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Gijean
Gijean

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 15, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful, fairly easy route completed in 2 hours and 55 minutes without stopping except to take photos.
Walking poles are recommended for the final descent.
Thank you to the author for this beautiful walk near my home😉

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oeildeverre
oeildeverre

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 15, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Beware of modern buildings in the surrounding area

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