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At the end of the Port de Méjean road, park in the car park located at the exit of Grand Méjean on the right.
(S/E) Descend towards the port and take the Érevine path on the left. After a few dozen metres, you will reach an intersection that marks the start of the circular path.
(1) Climb up to the left via a path marked with a purple sign. Reach an embankment area near the railway line and continue climbing above the tunnel to reach an unnamed pass.
(2) Climb up again on the left. Further on, go around an abandoned, graffitied building and you will reach an intersection.
Follow the path on the right until you reach a sharp left turn that leads to an intersection.
(3) Turn right and then immediately turn left through the pine trees. Then climb up into an open area and, after a short steep descent, look for a path that branches off to the right between two pine trees at a cairn.
(4) Take this path on the right and, just behind the pine trees, descend into a stony area. Keep to the left on the well-marked trail to descend this wild valley.
Cross a scree slope, then after a narrow passage through kermes oak trees, you will reach an intersection at the bottom of the Vallon du Pérussier.
Descend into this valley via a good path which then turns into a pile of unstable stones at the end, at the junction with the Vallon de l'Érevine.
(5) Climb up this new valley via the track on the left. Follow it for a few hundred metres until you reach a path that climbs steeply to the right.
(6) Leave the valley and start the steep, rocky and unstable climb. After this somewhat difficult stretch, you will reach a ridge overlooking the valley. Continue to the left as the surrounding landscape begins to open up. You will arrive at an intersection with a cairn in the middle that acts as a roundabout.
Turn right and you will soon reach the Fort de Niolon Haut, which overlooks the Côte Bleue and the Rade de Marseille.
(7) Descend behind the fort via the track and then a path that leads to a major junction below.
Turn left onto the track, then immediately downhill to the right, passing by a ruined building. Follow this path, which winds its way through the woods.
At the edge of the woods, descend via a damaged track on the right and join a crossroads with four paths.
(8) Take the first track on the right which descends along the rock face.
At a sharp right-hand bend, turn left onto a path that is partially marked in yellow. Go around the rocky outcrop on your right, skirting around it and following its north-eastern side.
Pass close to a reservoir and join the RD 48.
(9) Follow the road to the right for a few dozen metres and, when you reach the houses, take a path on the other side of the road that descends to the left under the power line.
Reach the small road of La Vesse and climb up a path on the other side of the road that leads to an unnamed pass at the foot of a promontory topped by a cross.
(10) Climb up to the left via a winding path heading due north. Cross a small valley and follow a balcony path that leads to an intersection with a track at Fort de Figuerolles.
(11) Don't hesitate to enjoy the view on the other side of the fort, then descend along the track for about 300 metres.
At a cairn, leave the track and turn right to follow a path overlooking the Vallon du Coucourdier, which leads to a gorge.
At the bottom of the gorge, climb up on the left and continue to a small valley.
(12) Descend on the right to begin the return journey.
The path arrives at the foot of a viaduct. You can join the Calanque de l'Establon on the left.
Head up to the right, then follow the railway line to climb back up to the level of the gorge you crossed earlier.
Keep to the left to pass under the Fort de Figuerolles. Be careful, there is a tricky section requiring the use of your hands shortly after crossing the railway line.
Continue along this path, which leads to La Vesse.
(13) Turn left towards the port and follow the coastal path with a few steps down to Niolon.
Go down the steps on the left to reach the port, then go up on the right via Chemin de la Pergola and then left onto Chemin du Port.
Go under the railway line and turn immediately left to follow it until you reach the customs officers' path at a barrier. Continue straight ahead and descend into a small valley overlooking the Calanque du Jonquier at a viaduct.
(14) Descend on the left, pass under the viaduct and continue along the coastal path (blue markings) which crosses a small pass at Le Moulon and then arrives at Calanque de l'Erevine after an aerial passage.
(15) If the weather is good, I recommend a short stop in this pretty cove with crystal-clear waters.
There is a short descent (then a climb back up).
Climb back up immediately on the left via stairs equipped with a handrail and follow the GR® trail overlooking the railway line.
Follow this path, which winds above the sea to Cap Méjean, which marks the entrance to the Port de Méjean cove.
Descend on the right via a path through the pine trees, which quickly leads to the intersection marking the start of the circular route.
(1) Continue on the left to return to the car park at the top of Grand Méjean (S/E).
A very beautiful route, but challenging on the way back due to the sharp stones. You need to pay close attention to the path on the first section or you risk straying off course. The rating may be a little overestimated, even though the elevation gain is significant.
, so it's tiring. But, apart from a few slightly tricky sections on the customs officers' path (on the way back), there are no technical difficulties. As for the "perceived" elevation gain, it is greater than stated (my watch shows +950 and the same amount down).
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