Le Garlaban via the Scolopendres trail

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A beautiful loop with spectacular views at the top and a return via the Vallon des Piches, which offers views over the whole of Marseille.

Details

n°6222062
Creation:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 11.89 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 00 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 564 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 555 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 710 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 192 m
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Photos

Manon's Cave
The Cross of Garlaban
Garlaban

Description of the walk

Park in the easily accessible Font de Mai car park.

(S/E) Cross the village, heading north, to reach Font de Mai park.

(1) Continue uphill to the eco-museum, then follow the path that branches off to the right. Continue on to reach the Chemin des Scolopendres crossroads.

(2) Take the path at the top on the right. Climb up the hill to the next crossroads directly below the power lines.

(3) Continue to the right, heading north. Join a wider track and take it. Then veer slightly to the left to enjoy an open-air museum.

(4) Return to the track and the Chemin des Scolopendres, continue left to reach the Col du Garlaban.

(5) Take the path on the right and climb up to the cross.

(6) Descend, veering slightly to the right to return to the pass.

(5) Take the Excursionnistes path opposite to reach Heath.

(7) Turn left and enter the Vallon des Piches. Descend to reach the crossroads at the Grotte de Manon. Take a detour to the left to access it.

(8) Take the path again and continue downhill to reach the Col d'Aubignane, directly below the power line.

(9) Turn left under the power lines and walk alongside the Ferme d'Angèle. Further on, turn right, then left towards the Puits de Raimu.

(10) Continue straight ahead to reach the Parc de la Font de Mai crossroads.

(1) Turn right and follow the same route back to the La Font de Mai car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 205 m - La Font de Mai car park
  2. 1 : km 0.51 - alt. 197 m - Font de Mai Park
  3. 2 : km 1.83 - alt. 271 m - Chemin des Scolopendres
  4. 3 : km 2.8 - alt. 454 m - Crossroads under the power lines
  5. 4 : km 4.16 - alt. 583 m - Museum
  6. 5 : km 5.19 - alt. 628 m - Col de Garlaban (628m)
  7. 6 : km 5.55 - alt. 710 m - Garlaban
  8. 7 : km 6.63 - alt. 545 m - Pas Heath
  9. 8 : km 7.58 - alt. 459 m - Grotte du Plantier ou Grotte de Manon
  10. 9 : km 8.94 - alt. 331 m - Col d'Aubignane
  11. 10 : km 10.36 - alt. 277 m - Puits de Raimu
  12. S/E : km 11.89 - alt. 209 m - La Font de Mai car park

Worth a visit

Les Gravures: take the opportunity to visit a small open-air museum featuring limestone engravings by a local artist.
(8) Manon's Cave: this is more of a recess than what is commonly referred to as a cave; on the map, it is called Baume du Plantier.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 23 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
/adjedj
/adjedj

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 26, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

This route up to Garlaban is certainly not the most challenging, but that doesn't detract from the pure joy of the scenery.
Once you reach the summit of Garlaban... with views of the sea on one side and the snow-capped Alps on the other... need we say more... pure bliss!

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gisyl
gisyl
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 11, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Nice hike with a beautiful view from the Garlaban

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Chlochlo
Chlochlo
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 07, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

I did this hike in the middle of December in good weather. The hike to Garlaban is magnificent, with extraordinary views of the surrounding mountains all the way to Cassis! The climb is a bit challenging (trail path). After the ascent, there is a magnificent descent with views of Marseille waiting for you. I am delighted with this route!

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User 12898797

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 29, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant hike. The setting is beautiful. Watch out for rocks that could throw you off balance! I highly recommend this hike!

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ciarama
ciarama

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 22, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

:

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BRUIGER
BRUIGER

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 22, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful hike, without any extreme difficulties, a gentle climb and the last 400 metres a little more challenging, but what a joy to discover such a panorama at the top. We met many other hikers along the way and even cyclists (until the last break before the final climb).

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Gouraud Muriel
Gouraud Muriel

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 31, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We hesitated once or twice, as the signs along the way are sometimes difficult to see (markings on stones on the ground with fading paint...). A very beautiful hike with few people.

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godillot1
godillot1

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

There are several routes leading to the summit, which is particularly popular. A beautiful circuit with artistic interest due to the engravings, which are not to be missed. Beautiful views of Marseille and the Mediterranean Sea.

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Mu83
Mu83

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 17, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Beautiful route with magnificent views of Marseille and its harbour

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Stephbibi
Stephbibi

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 31, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very interesting route, quite busy on the way there but very pretty and quiet on the way back through the valley. You can avoid the end of the route on tarmac by returning closer to the outward route.

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raym
raym

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 16, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike with clear explanations. The Scolopendre trail is parish specific to Brittany, very pleasant, but be careful as they are currently clearing the paths and widening the firebreaks.

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Nanar13
Nanar13

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 04, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

very beautiful route

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samsonnet26
samsonnet26

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 18, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful hike that I highly recommend. The trails are parish specific to Brittany and without any major difficulties. Once you reach the summit, you are rewarded with a magnificent view. We loved the long descent into the ravine. On the way back to Font de Mai, we took the small path near the large house under renovation. This allowed us to cross the park and avoid part of the paved road.

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samsonnet26
samsonnet26

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 18, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful hike that I highly recommend. The trails are parish specific to Brittany and without any major difficulties. Once you reach the summit, you are rewarded with a magnificent view. We loved the long descent into the ravine. On the way back to Font de Mai, we took the small path near the large house under renovation. This allowed us to cross the park and avoid part of the paved road.

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Ami de la nature la garde
Ami de la nature la garde

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 03, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Superb hike, magnificent landscapes. The Scolopendres trail is very passable with sections of small rock climbs that are not difficult.
The return route via Pas Heath, covering approximately 2 km towards the Piches trail, is dangerous and descends into a ravine. There are lots of pebbles and stones, the terrain deteriorates and the gradient is impressive. We are very happy to have made the ascent, but next time we will return via the switchbacks to reach the Col d'Aubignane.
What a beautiful region!

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