Le Montounier, the Chapel of Saint-André in Julhans, and the Vallon des Conquettes

By car, coming from Cassis (D1), on Avenue Barthélémy Andreis, at the junction with traffic lights and a fountain on the left, turn left (D559A) onto Avenue Fernand Balducci, towards Carnoux/Aubagne. At the roundabout, go straight through, heading towards the emergency services centre, and just after the supermarket on the right, park on the left in the Michelangeli car park.

(S/E) From the car park exit, at the roundabout with two large pine trees, follow the route taken by car to the junction with traffic lights, with a fountain on the right. Cross the junction and follow the D559A towards Toulon/La Ciotat. Pass under the motorway bridge and continue along the D559A towards La Ciotat until you reach the^first hairpin bend on the right.

(1) Turn left onto the track, which is closed off by a barrier (start of the concrete climb). Continue for about 2.5 km and, at the three-way junction, turn right. You’ll soon reach a cross-track.

(2) Follow the track to the left.

(3) After the junction of two tracks, carry on straight ahead, passing the Cabanon du Marquis, until you reach the^first track junction on the left.

(4) Take this track to the left towards the summit of Montounier.

(5) Just before this, take the path on the left. Cross a track and continue downhill until you reach another cross-track.

(6) Turn left onto the footpath to visit the Chapelle Saint-André de Julhans, then return to the track.

(6) Turn left onto the track and carry on straight ahead until you reach the D3d.

(7) Follow it to the right until you reach the Grand Caunet ranch on the left and the car park on the right.

(8) From this car park, turn right onto the track, which is closed off by a gate, until you reach a three-way junction.

(9) Follow the track to the right until you rejoin the route you have already taken.

(4) Continue straight on along the track in the opposite direction to the outward journey and pass the Cabanon du Marquis again.

(3) About fifty metres before the junction of the two tracks you passed on the way there, turn left, heading due south; quickly ignore a path branching off to the right and continue along the track for about 100 metres.

(10) Then take the path on the right into the Vallon des Conquettes.

(11) At the junction with the Vallon de Gendame, by the cairn, follow the path to the left and continue down the slope.

(12) Follow the path to the left and continue down the valley.

(13) Where the path meets the track, follow the track to the right until you reach a junction towards the end of the valley, a few metres before a road.

(14) Take the track to the right. After a few hairpin bends, reach the ridge and then a junction.

(15) Turn onto the track on the right, pass the Cabanon des Gardes and continue to the next fork.

(16) Follow the track to the left, reaching the Pas d’Ouillier and then a road.

(17) Follow the D559a to the right and reach the junction you passed on the way out.

(1) Continue along the D559a, heading in the opposite direction to the outward journey, towards Roquefort-la-Bédoule and the Michelangeli car park (S/E).

Route completed on an e-MTB.
The time given is the riding time.
The ride may prove challenging on a conventional mountain bike, depending on your fitness level.