The Vitrolles plateau

de fr

Loop starting from the Collets Rouges equestrian centre, Vitrolles, the radar, Rognac and back via Salvarenque. Walk on very wide, carriage-accessible paths, to be avoided on windy days (mistral). Views of the Étang de Berre and Marseille-Provence airport.

Details

n°624166
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.23 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 55 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 103 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 97 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 217 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 120 m
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Photos

Panoramic
Last view from above before turning
View from above
Starting point

Description of the walk

From the D9, take exit 10 or 11 depending on your direction (Aix or Marseille), exit Valbacol. Follow the road to the Collets Rouges equestrian centre and park in the dirt car park opposite the centre.

(S/E) Take the road on the left that descends into the Vallon de Gourgoulousier.
Follow the yellow and red signs for theGR® de Pays Marseille Provence Métropole 2013.
At the fork, turn left (signposted AR111 left) and stay on this path. At elevation 176, do not take the path on the left that leads back. Instead, continue straight ahead to reach the AR112/AR110 junction.

(1) Ignore the paths on the right and left, as well as the concrete path that descends to the left, but follow the yellow/red markings on the tree (path AR110). At the cistern, do not take the concrete path on the right.
Follow the quarry on your left, then do not take the path on the right.
Look for the grey radar ball on the left and arrive at the radar road.

(2) Take the path opposite, which passes to the left of the small red and white antennas.
The view opens up on the left onto the Étang de Berre. Join a paved section at the red and white antenna. Continue on the small path on the left before the main road.
Enjoy the beautiful views of the Rognac cliffs and pass by the ruins of the Chappe Telegraph.
Stay on the path (marked with yellow/red markers) and follow the cliff.

(3) Turn right onto the path at the Conservatoire du Littoral sign for Plateau de Vitrolles. Take the path on the right marked in yellow and red.
At the crossroads, stay on the left-hand path AR109 (do not take Salvarenque/Les Grenadines). At the path that runs alongside the fence, turn right.

(4) At the crossroads, in front of the Domaine des Pradaux, stay on the left-hand path AR109, do not take AR110. At the next crossroads, turn right.
At the junction at elevation 184, take the left-hand road and then continue straight ahead at the junction at elevation 173.

(5) At the fork in the road, take the AR114 road on the right.
At the next junction, take the left-hand road (do not take the AR113) which climbs slightly.
Stay on the middle road, go straight ahead and ignore the roads on the right and left. At the fork, turn right.
Then follow this road to the equestrian centre and join the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 132 m - Parking near the Collets Rouges
  2. 1 : km 2.09 - alt. 177 m - Crossroads
  3. 2 : km 3.34 - alt. 209 m - Radar
  4. 3 : km 4.86 - alt. 207 m - Sign on the right
  5. 4 : km 5.66 - alt. 190 m - Crossroads, on the left
  6. 5 : km 7.34 - alt. 159 m - Hollow
  7. S/E : km 9.22 - alt. 132 m - Parking near the Collets Rouges - Bondon (cours d'eau) - Affluent

Notes

No water or shade. Avoid on hot, windy days.
Please note that in June, July, August and September, access may be prohibited depending on weather conditions (wind): call 08 11 20 13 13 for information.

Worth a visit

During the hike, the radar is visible from almost the entire plateau. It is used for air traffic control in the landing zone of Marseille-Provence Airport.
An information plaque explains how the Chappe telegraph, built in 1821, worked. Only ruins remain today.

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

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Reviews and comments

4.4 / 5
Based on 31 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.4 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.3 / 5
Jadax42
Jadax42

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 29, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

I went on this walk on 28 November while out running. It was a very beautiful walk and I didn't know the area at all. Great view near the antenna. I'll be back, thanks for the discovery

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Ginette1357
Ginette1357

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 21, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike accessible to all, best enjoyed before the hottest months of the year.

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gg13500
gg13500

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

Thanks for sharing.
A very pleasant walk, with no difficulties.
Avoid in hot weather or strong winds.
Beautiful view of the Berre lake and the aerodrome.

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Marchemardi
Marchemardi

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 21, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hiking on the Vitrolles Plateau, i.e. near the airport and the mega shopping centre, doesn't sound very appealing. But as soon as you set off, you forget all about that. Valleys, gentle descents and climbs, views of the Étang de Berre and then the old village of Vitrolles offer beautiful scenery. You can barely hear a few helicopters taking off! This is a hike to do in spring, April or May, when there are lots of flowers in the heath but very few trees, and those are pine trees, so there's not much shade! The entire circuit is not very busy, but you will meet several people who do it in sections: you are in the Magenta Public Park.
A beautiful walk!

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danyel13
danyel13

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

A hike that is accessible to everyone, pleasant and with beautiful views of the cliffs of Rognac and the Étang de Berre lagoon.
Best avoided on windy days and in the height of summer.
There are a few people around the radar station, but the rest of the route is quiet.

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phildaix
phildaix

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 24, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

The views across the plain are as beautiful as ever. A lovely little hike. A bit crowded, but there's plenty of room!

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Jadax42
Jadax42
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 28, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

I did this hike while running. Very beautiful route, I didn't know the area at all. Beautiful view near the antenna. I'll be back, thanks for the discovery

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gise13
gise13

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 19, 2023
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We enjoyed this route: Easy with beautiful views
Next time we'll do it in the opposite direction so we can save the best for last
Thank you for a great time

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Voyageur nature
Voyageur nature
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 30, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Beautiful view of the rock and chapel of Vitrolles, the Berre lagoon, and the cliffs of Rognac. It's never boring, very interesting, and I think relatively unknown. Thank you for this wonderful discovery close to home.

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LIONEL13118
LIONEL13118

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 20, 2022
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Thank you very much for sharing this information. It's an area I knew nothing about, and without your listing, I would never have gone there. Thanks to you, we had a wonderful day of discovery... sincere thanks.

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Michèle d'istres
Michèle d'istres

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 21, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : No

The route is fine but lacks points of interest. Vegetation is fairly sparse (fire about 7-8 years ago). It was springtime and despite this there were few flowers and it was rather dry. An association has made efforts to replant olive trees in several places. Bring water and there is very little shade.

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jean chris
jean chris
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 21, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very nice hike. Easy. Can be done in 2.5 hours without any problems.
However, poorly signposted. Traces have been erased.

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michecoco
michecoco
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 18, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

no signposts, but thanks to the app, the route is easy to follow.
A lovely 3-hour hike at a leisurely pace, suitable for children as there is little elevation and plenty of space on the plateau.
superb view of Vitrolles, Rognac and the surrounding area... Avoid in the height of summer as there is little shade.

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elanaveva
elanaveva

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 12, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

at my septuagenarian pace, I completed the route in 2 hours and 15 minutes. It was an interesting route, especially along the cliffs overlooking Rognac. The first signpost was just before the cistern, but this wasn't a problem as with a little sense of direction and the map, it was easy to find. there were quite a few people there, as it's close to Vitrolles, and it was a breath of fresh air for those who have been more or less confined

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provence13
provence13

Overall rating : 3.5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 05, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Poorly marked route

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Other walks in the area

Walking In the heart of the Vitrolles Plateau

Visorando member
Au cœur du Plateau de Vitrolles
↔11.65 km ↗+114 m ↘-117 m ◔3h 40 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Vitrolles (Bouches-du-Rhône) (Bouches-du-Rhône)
A circular route in the heart of the Vitrolles plateau with balcony trails in the middle of the Provençal heath, small rocky valleys and wide tracks, former service roads for the villages of Vitrolles, Rognac and Velaux. A peaceful environment with beautiful views.

Walking The Vitrolles Plateau

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↔7.94 km ↗+94 m ↘-94 m ◔2h 30 ▲Easy
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An easy hike starting from Vitrolles Hill and continuing across the plateau.

Walking The Infernet Spring

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↔2.02 km ↗+23 m ↘-23 m ◔0h 40 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Les Pennes-Mirabeau (Bouches-du-Rhône)
An oasis of freshness! One of the easiest walks to do with children, following the stream back to its source. Please note: A hiker has informed us that this hike is no longer possible due to a landslide reported by a municipal decree. In addition, between 1 June and 30 September, some areas may be closed to the public (fire hazard).

Walking Circular along the edge of the Rognac cliffs and Roquefavour aqueduct.

Association / Club / Walk leader
Boucle en bordure des falaises de Rognac et aqueduc de Roquefavour
↔20.20 km ↗+241 m ↘-243 m ◔6h 30 ▲Difficult
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A beautiful hike along the cliffs of Rognac: superb views of the town of Rognac with the Étang de Berre lagoon and the surrounding towns of Vitrolles, Berre and Velaux.

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Entre source et cascade au départ de Rognac
↔3.01 km ↗+64 m ↘-64 m ◔1h 05 ▲Easy
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Walking From Rognac to the small pass Redon (V2)

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De Rognac vers le Collet Redon (V2)
↔13.90 km ↗+246 m ↘-237 m ◔4h 40 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Rognac (Bouches-du-Rhône)
An easy circular starting from Rognac towards the Collet Redon hill, passing by the Malaga Waterfall (Fontaine de Rognac) and then the Fontaine de l'Oule on the way there. After going around Collet Redon, the route rejoins theGRP®2013 and then runs along the cliffs of Rognac to the cross overlooking the town. A magnificent and varied landscape throughout the route.

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Starting from the Les Pinchinades district in Vitrolles, this hike begins peacefully along the La Cadière stream, which leads to the source of the Infernet and its waterfalls, surrounded by magnificent red ochre rocks, worthy of an American film set. After passing through the Ravin de l'Infernet and climbing back up to the plateau (unfortunately ravaged by fire in 2018), the crossing of the Ravin de la Cardeline allows you to reach the Marthe spring, hidden among the olive trees and thick vegetation, but whose flow can be heard. The return journey through the red ochre hills passes through a narrow, deep karstic cave before reaching the Infernet spring and the starting point. A complete change of scenery just a stone's throw from the city.

Walking From Rognac to the small pass Redon

Visorando member
De Rognac vers le Collet Redon
↔16.94 km ↗+357 m ↘-356 m ◔5h 50 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Rognac (Bouches-du-Rhône)
This is a long, easy circular route starting from Rognac and heading towards the small pass of Collet Redon, passing by a permanent spring, the Malaga waterfall (Rognac fountain) seen from below and then from the top of its cliffs, and the Fontaine de l'Oule fountain. After passing through the bottom of the valley and around the small pass of Redon, the route rejoins the GRP®2013 and then follows the cliffs of Rognac to the cross overlooking the town. Finally, a last detour to the remains of an ancient oppidum and the ruins of Castellas Castle before returning to the starting point. A magnificent and varied landscape throughout the route.

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