From the Chemin des Gages to the Pilon du Roi and its lookout

From Plan-de-Cuques, take the D908 towards Logis Neuf. On Avenue Salvador Allende, turn left onto Chemin de Bon Rencontre, then, 900 m further on the left, take Chemin du Vallon des Gages. Follow the path to the end to reach a car park at the start of the walk.

(S/E) Go through the gate, follow the track and you’ll come to a fork.

(1) Turn right and pass two water retention dams in succession. Keep to the right and follow the stony path which, after a circular bend to the right, leads to a power pylon. Turn left at the pylon, heading north, and continue in this direction until you reach a fork.

(2) Turn left (elevation 286), then enter an area of tall pine trees. Keep heading north: below on the right is the shooting range, then further on, the dog training centre (elevation 334). Go round the large water reservoir on the left, then join the Chemin de Mimet. Turn left, heading towards the Col Sainte-Anne.

(3) Turn left at the signpost towards Pilon du Roi and arrive at a fork. Keep to the right, then follow the green markings leading to Puits de Besson. Turn left at the well and follow the path which joins the DFCI track.

(4) Cross the track to take the Vallon du Pilon du Roi path opposite. The pleasant path becomes steeper as you go on and grows more challenging. Note the strangely shaped rocks. You’ll reach a fork with a cairn.

(5) Turn right and follow the green-marked path. After about 60 m, turn left. The path climbs, with a few rocky outcrops to negotiate. Join a stony track heading due north. After a few hairpin bends, join the DFCI track at Col Sainte-Anne. Look out for a path starting on the right.

(6) Turn right for a return trip to the lookout point to admire the view.

(7) Return to the track and head west towards the Pilon du Roi.

(8) Head right, following the green and blue markings. Pass at the foot of the Pilon du Roi, then follow the path down towards the Col des Ouides (signpost), heading south-west. Arrive at the Pas de la Colle (signpost) and continue in the same direction. Pass through an area with many dead trees.

(9) Turn left at a cairn onto the path that climbs towards the ridges through boxwood and rosemary.
Please note: there are no markings. Further on, you will find cairns and wooden posts which you must follow. Admire the Vallon du Pilon du Roi on the left and the Vallon de Mauvelle on the right.

(10) Turn left, heading south-east (elevation 635m). Be careful not to miss this junction; there are no markings. Look out for the large Caban house further down. Pass by a fire station and then to the left of the Caban house. Follow the wide Caban track, heading south. Pass fire tanks no. 128 and 632. You will reach a crossroads.

(11) Turn left and keep to the right. Continue straight on, heading south.

(12) Turn left at the track junction. Pass by numerous fire lookouts. You’ll reach a high-voltage pylon.

(13) Turn left after the pylon and follow the path which descends steadily. Keep to the left. After passing a fire station, the path becomes steeper as it heads east. You will reach a large rock slab which you must cross carefully. Keep to the right along the cliffs and cross the concrete dam. Climb over the low wall.

(1) Turn right to rejoin the track leading back to the starting point (S/E).

For reference: the author’s time for this route was 4 hours 40 minutes

The large slab to be crossed at the end of the route can be very slippery in wet weather.

Between the^first hairpin bend on the path at the start of the route and further down in the very dense area of the Vallon des Escombes (^2nd dam): crash site of an American aircraft shot down by German fighters on 24 October 1943 (memorial on the Chemin de Mimet near the Provence Nemrod shooting range). Many people have combed the area with metal detectors; traces may still resurface during violent storms in the valley.