The ridge of the Chaîne de l’Étoile between the Grand Sanguin and the Colle

This circular walk takes you along the ridge of the Chaîne de l’Étoile between the Grand Sanguin and La Colle. You can admire Marseille and the coast on one side, and Sainte-Victoire on the other. If the weather is clear, the Alps and Mont Ventoux will be in full view. The walk does not present any particular difficulties but does require a fair amount of stamina.

Details

n°41195457

Creation:
08 Oct 2023

Last update:
12 Oct 2023

Last review:
27 Oct 2025

Activity: Walking
Distance: 10.30 mi
Average duration: 6h 10
Difficulty: Moderate
Back to start: Yes
Ascent: + 1,611 ft
Descent: - 1,598 ft
Highest point: 2,087 ft
Lowest point: 951 ft

Country: France
City: Simiane-Collongue (13109)
Start/End: N 43.414726° / E 5.429039°
IGN map(s): Ref. 3145ET, 3244ET
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Description of the walk

Park at the Jean le Maître car park at Les Mérienters.

(S/E) Walk down the Chemin de la Liberté to the junction at the bottom of the valley.

(1) Follow the track on the left for about 400 m until you reach the Fork in the road

(2) Turn right and head uphill to the next three-way junction.

(3) Keep to the right on this track, which winds through a series of bends before straightening out as it passes close to the Jas de Roque. Join the tarmac road known as the Étoile.

(4) Follow this road downhill for about 200 m, then take the hairpin bend to the left onto the track that climbs and continue until you reach a junction.

(5) Turn left until you reach the next three-way junction.

(6) Turn right onto the shaded track, which further on becomes a path winding beneath the power lines, before joining another track on the ridge of the Grand Sanguin.

(7) Turn left and follow this track along the ridge, taking a short detour to admire the view from the lookout point. Leave the Petite Étoile on your right and continue until you reach a junction of tracks.

(8) Carry on straight ahead, leaving the Grande Étoile on your right, and join the tarmac road.

(9) Carry on to the left, past a viewpoint, until you reach a three-way junction.

(10) Let the road wind down to the left and head up towards the Étoile’s antennas.

(11) When the track takes a hairpin bend to the right, turn left and descend a tricky section, following the signposts to the Col des Ouides.

(12) Continue along the path opposite, which climbs up the slope. Follow the ridge to reach La Colle (elevation 556).

(13) Take the track that descends to the left without reaching the power line.

(14) Just before a ruin, turn left to cut across a bend in the track, rejoin it and continue along it until you reach a point directly below a power line (elevation 335).

(15) Keep heading in the same direction, ignoring a path branching off to the left, and you’ll come out onto a track. Carry on straight ahead for a few metres until you reach the Fork in the road you passed on the way there.

(2) Head straight ahead and follow the outbound route in the opposite direction to reach the Jean le Maître car park (S/E).

Waypoints

S/E : mi 0 - alt. 997 ft - Jean le Maître car park
1 : mi 0.17 - alt. 951 ft - At the bottom of the valley, on the left
2 : mi 0.46 - alt. 991 ft - Crossroads of the circular loop
3 : mi 0.86 - alt. 1,079 ft - Three-way junction, turn right
4 : mi 2.01 - alt. 1,178 ft - Route de l’Étoile, on the right
5 : mi 2.67 - alt. 1,184 ft - At the junction, turn left
6 : mi 2.84 - alt. 1,227 ft - Turn right at the fork
7 : mi 3.58 - alt. 1,506 ft - On reaching the ridge, turn left
8 : mi 4.67 - alt. 1,722 ft - At the junction of the tracks, go straight on
9 : mi 5.31 - alt. 1,880 ft - Tarmac road, on the left
10 : mi 5.66 - alt. 1,909 ft - Three-way junction, turn right
11 : mi 6.03 - alt. 2,083 ft - Hairpin bend to the left
12 : mi 6.16 - alt. 1,929 ft - Col des Ouides, opposite
13 : mi 7.58 - alt. 1,818 ft - La Colle, on the left
14 : mi 8.17 - alt. 1,391 ft - Ruins, on the left
15 : mi 9.28 - alt. 1,099 ft - Power line, straight ahead
S/E : mi 10.3 - alt. 1,010 ft - Jean le Maître car park

Notes

The starting point is in the hamlet of Jean le Maître in the municipality of Simiane Collongue. There is a car park where you can leave your car. To get there, you need to walk through the village of Simiane and head uphill towards the hamlet of Saint-Germain, then take the Chemin de Peycaï to Jean le Maître.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5

Based on 3 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5

Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5

Route interest
4.7 / 5

Joe-chris

27 Oct 2025 at 21:05 3600

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 27, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very interesting route with views of Marseille, the Frioul Islands, etc. on one side and views of Sainte Victoire Mountain and all the surrounding villages on the other.
The path along the ridge is very rocky, so you really need good shoes to walk it
It should be noted that we pass by the Maquisards cave, and that the return to the Jean Lemaitre car park begins via the Santons path (several very steep descents)

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seilmar

23 Feb 2024 at 10:25 3600

In fact, there is a path called ‘Chemin de la Télévision’

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Joël Yves

23 Feb 2024 at 09:59 3600

Apologies for the presence of the masts, which have enabled Marseille, Aix and their surrounding areas to receive terrestrial television and radio broadcasts for over 60 years. When I took this route, I didn’t have any explosives to hand to clear the landscape. The same applies to the access roads.

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Clo13

22 Feb 2024 at 07:09 3600

An interesting walk for the views of the mountain range, but unpleasant on the ground (tarmac roads) and with all sorts of masts.

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seilmar

21 Feb 2024 at 16:44 3600

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 21, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Occasionally there are a few proper slopes. Otherwise, it’s a pleasant walk that isn’t too technical, though you do need to wear suitable footwear.

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Clo13

05 Feb 2024 at 08:33 3600

Why go hiking amongst radio masts, electricity pylons and radio waves on tarmac roads?
An interesting view of the region and the chance to discover a new place.

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Monsieur C

05 Dec 2023 at 19:46 3600

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 05, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk, especially along the ridge of the Chaîne de l’Etoile with its panoramic views of Marseille. And on the other side, views of Sainte Victoire. It’s also a great place for mountain biking.

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