Country:
District:
In Le Rove on the D568, park in Allée des Écoles near the pharmacy.
(S/E) Head west, past the chemist's, then cross the road at the traffic lights to take Chemin des Esclades opposite. Follow this tarmac road for about 200 metres until you reach a barrier and the start of the DFCI CB115 track.
Go through the barrier and follow the track that runs alongside houses, turns left and climbs into the hills. You will arrive at a Y-junction.
(1) Turn left and stay on the track, which descends and makes numerous left and right turns. Pass under a high-voltage power line. You will arrive at elevation 130 and a Y-junction with large pine trees and a fenced enclosure for game. Turn left and follow the track to a T-junction.
(2) Turn right towards the south. Pass a few terraces. The track then turns into a wide path with beautiful views of Le Rove and its surroundings. Arrive at a Y-junction and turn right. On the descent, you will see the Bay of Marseille, the Frioul Islands and the Château d'If.
(3) You will come to a T-junction with Chemin de la Batterie de Figuerolles. Turn left onto this path, which continues to offer beautiful views of the sea. At the top of a sharp bend to the left, look for a path that descends to the right.
(4) Descend this path, which starts on the right and then forms a circular loop south-east. Keep to the left and descend into the Vallon du Coucourdier. A large, flat, slippery slab is the only slight difficulty at the bottom of this wild, steep-sided valley. You will arrive at the foot of the cliffs and a T-junction.
(5) Turn left and follow the Chemin des Douaniers marked in blue. Notice the shapes of the cliffs, carved out by nature. A magnificent panorama. Walk along the cliffs, keeping to the left.
(6) Turn left, heading north then north-east on the path that climbs steadily. You will come to a crossroads and an esplanade with an old stone shelter for lookouts.
(7) Enjoy the view, then continue heading north. You will come to another esplanade with another stone shelter. The landscape is magnificent.
(8) Continue straight ahead, heading north on a steep and slippery path. Cross a small bridge and continue east. Pass a path on the right and arrive at a Y-shaped junction with a rock on the right.
(9) Head right towards the rocks. Pass a fault line, then on the descent, keep left at a T-junction. Cross a concrete staircase to reach the foot of the railway line. Turn right, following the blue markings. Visit the old galleries carved into the mountain and, further on, an old blockhouse. The path runs alongside the railway line, then veers off to the right to cross a rocky mound.
Note: on the other side of the rocky mound, do not venture to the left into the narrow, steep-sided valley thinking you will reach the sea under a viaduct. It is a dead end with a cliff.
(10) Turn left onto the steep, stony path. At the top, there are new views of Marseille harbour and Fort de Figuerolles. Continue along the Chemin des Douaniers, marked in blue. You will come to a Y-junction.
(11) Turn right towards Fort de Figuerolles. Visit the site by walking in a circular loop from left to right. Pass by a cave and then head north. You will come to a fork near the road.
(12) Stay on the middle path heading north, then north-west, away from the road. Then keep to the left, passing another cave and the old fortification walls. You will arrive higher up in a flat, deserted area.
(13) Stay on the right on the wide path, then a few metres further on, turn left onto the path that runs along the ridge. Admire the landscape. Pass elevation 188. Arrive at Route Pompidou and follow it to the left for a few metres.
(14) Turn right onto the path that climbs, then about 800 m further on, turn left to arrive in an open area. Take the path opposite, which climbs steeply and runs along the left side of the large track that leads to the Puits de L'Œuvre. Join the track and visit the site.
(15) Turn left to make a round trip to the rocky outcrop and discover the statue of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in a recess. Take the track northwards and walk for about 300 metres. You will come to a Y-shaped crossroads.
(16) Turn right, then 20 metres further on, turn left onto the path that leads to Les Esclades. Pass under a high-voltage power line and return to the initial junction you passed on the way there.
(1) Turn left and follow the same path as on the way there to return to the starting point (S/E).
Visorando member
