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In Marseille, head towards Château Gombert, then Palama. Park your car at the side of the road, just before the junction where the small road on the left leads to the equestrian centre of the same name
(S/E). Leave your car and walk to the first fork a few metres further on. Turn left uphill onto Chemin de Palama, towards the Equestrian Centre. The small road climbs quite steeply through heath and a few isolated houses. You will come to a first junction at the Equestrian Centre, which is on your left.
(1) Continue straight ahead on the main road, which levels out, ignoring all the turnings (small roads or tracks) on the left and right. You will reach a car park under the pine trees.
(2) Continue straight ahead, ignoring a track on the right and a path on the left 100 metres further on. After passing a cistern on the right, you will come to a crossroads.
(3) Leave the main track and take a much narrower path opposite, which climbs straight up to the Grande Étoile (blue cross on the ground). The climb is steep and relentless until you reach the first rocky ridge just below the communication antennas, where you will come out onto a path coming from the right.
Take this path on the left. The path is flat and allows you to rest your legs a little after this steep climb. The view opens up and you can enjoy it. The Vallon Dol basin and the Frioul islands, among other things, are visible.
Be careful, however: the path runs about 60 centimetres from the cliff on the left, so you need to stay alert.
Walk along the base of the rock supporting the antennas and turn 180°. Here, take the opportunity to walk beyond a small rocky outcrop on your left to admire the view of Marseille. Take the path on the left without losing altitude.
(4) Turn right at the corner of the fence surrounding the facilities. You will quickly come to a small tarmac access road, which you take on the left to reach the viewpoint that marks the start of the Barre de l'Etoile.
(5) Take the path on the right, walking first below the ridge and then joining it to reach the Etoile facilities. Follow the path that goes around it on the right.
(6) Turn right at a 90° angle and begin a fairly steep descent with the Col des Ouides below and the Pilon du Roi in the background. Be careful to spot the start of the path, which is not very obvious. Blue mark on the ground.
(7) Once at the pass, ignore the path that branches off to the left and the one that goes straight towards Pilon du Roi. Continue for a few metres and turn right downhill. The path enters a small valley covered in heath and leads to a much wider track.
(8) Turn right and, 100 metres further on, turn right again onto another track, as wide as the previous one, which climbs slightly. Continue until the track bends 90° to the right.
(9) Leave the track and take the shortcut that joins it 50 metres further down. This saves time and distance. Continue to the next bend.
(10) Leave this track and take a small path on the right that descends steeply into the Vallon du Sauveur. Pass a few buildings on the left, then another house among the pine trees and continue to a fork (quarry opposite on the right).
(11) Turn right, pass the entrance to the quarry and continue straight on to the starting point (S/E).
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