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Departure from La Batarelle at the terminus of bus line 37.
(S/E) Walk north up Rue du Capelan and climb the stone steps to reach the hills. Take the path opposite, which runs alongside the Vallon Dol reservoir. This path joins a tarmac road, which you should follow to the right.
(1) When the road begins to descend, turn right onto a path that climbs uphill. Head towards a large, clearly visible concrete marker on the left. Pass this marker and turn left. Cross the tarmac road of Vallon Dol, pass a barrier, join a large track (large rock and bench) and follow it to the left for a few dozen metres.
(2) Take the track that branches off to the right (east). Ignore the paths to the left and right. The track descends, making a wide left turn. At a crossroads, turn left towards fire hydrant no. 405.
(3) After about 100 metres, turn right at the hairpin bend onto a tarmac section that climbs and passes by the old Loubière caves (entrance blocked by large rocks). Ignore the paths to the left and right. You will arrive in a wooded area with large pine trees. Cross this area, keeping to the right-hand side.
(4) On the right, you will see a well and some ruins. Take the path that goes straight ahead (north) just next to the well. This path passes by an area that has been converted into a rainwater retention basin, then enters the heath.
(5) Pass by the ruins, then look for another well under the trees on the right at the bottom of the valley. Continue along the route until you reach a T-junction. Turn left. At the fork that you will soon come to, take the path on the right rather than going straight ahead (the two paths join up). Walk along an old stone wall. You will come to a firebreak track; follow it to the right.
(6) After about 250 m, at a bend in the track, take thesecond path on the left (east-north-east). This path climbs steadily, forming a large circular loop, then becomes very steep in the final stretch. You will arrive at a tarmac road.
(7) Turn left onto the road, then immediately turn left onto the path that runs along the ridges.
(8) When the path joins the road, turn left onto another path that passes under the bars of the Grande Étoile. Look for a cave on the right and then, further on, a climbing area. You will arrive at the Belvédère de la Grande Étoile (panoramic viewpoint).
(9) Continue the route to the right on a path that runs alongside the TDF installations on the right-hand side. The path then heads north-west and descends into a small valley. You will arrive at a DFCI track and follow it to the left (north-north-west). At the crossroads (elevation 525), go straight ahead.
(10) At the fork, turn left and pass directly below the Petite Étoile (antenna on the right). At the next fork, turn left again (magnificent view of Marseille, the Frioul Islands, the Château d'If and the beginning of the Côte Bleue).
(11) At a bend below the Petit Sanguin antennas, turn left (south) onto a path that descends towards the Vallon Dol basin. When you reach a tarmac road, follow it to the left. Go through the barrier and then descend to the right onto a wide path. Look for a stone structure below, which may be an old lime kiln. Make a circular loop to the left towards the tarmac road. Cut across to the right, cross afirst road, immediately come out onto asecond road and follow it to the right for about 200 metres until you reach a cast iron plaque on the ground.
(12) Then turn left onto a path that soon turns right (south). Ignore a path on the left. At the bottom of the valley, first turn left then right to cross a road and continue south. At a fork, keep left. At the T-junction, turn right, then left at the next junction.
(13) Turn left (southeast) onto a narrow path lined with bushes— be careful not to get scratched. Ignore the paths on the left. When you reach a wide track, follow it to the right.
(2) Take the same route back to return to the starting point (S/E).
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