The Grand Arbois Plateau starting from Rognac

In Rognac, take the Chemin de Sarragousse and continue along the Chemin de Rognac to Aix-en-Provence (very narrow road, see practical information). Park in the first car park on the right as you leave this small road.

(S/E) Head south-west to reach the cliff edge via a short detour through the green fence. Follow the^PR® (yellow) and^GRP® Marseille-Provence (red and yellow) markings. Turn right and walk along the cliff edge, ignoring all paths branching off to the right. You will arrive at the Croix de Rognac.

(1) Continue north. Walk for a long stretch along the cliff edge, still ignoring all the paths branching off to the left. After passing the base of an electricity pylon, continue straight on following the markings until you reach a crossroads.

(2) Take the path on the right to leave the cliff edge, still following the GRP^®. Descend into a wooded valley.

(3) At the bottom, at a junction, turn left and note a small monument to the Virgin Mary on the left. Follow the path with the^GRP® and come out onto a road.

(4) Turn right (leaving the^GRP®). Climb up a track then take a path running slightly to the right. The path moves away from the valley floor to climb a little further until you reach a junction on a flat area.

(5) Continue straight on, passing a cistern on the left and a building on the right. Carefully navigate several steep, stony sections (suitable for mountain bikes) until you reach a flat area with red earth.

(6) At the junction, turn left. Continue straight on along the main path, noting a ruin on the left.

(7) At the fork in the road, keep right and head down a very short, steep dip. Continue as straight as possible uphill. Climb a steep slope. You will see a ruin and a cliff on the left. Take a sharp right-hand bend and you will immediately reach a junction (view of Velaux).

(8) Turn right onto a path climbing up the hillside. Follow this path, which curves to the right and leads onto the plateau.

(9) At the pile of stones, turn right. Pass a cistern on the right-hand side. Continue straight on, crossing a main track.

(10) At the next junction (small cedar tree on the left), turn left. After about 250 m, take the first path on the right (view of Montagne Sainte-Victoire and the Massif de l’Étoile). After about 250 m, take the first path on the left in front of a sign. At the fork in the road shortly afterwards, take the grassy path in the middle. Continue straight on until you reach a junction under a high-voltage power line.

(11) Then turn right. Pass a pylon and, at the next junction, follow the second path on the left, which runs diagonally (do not take the track leading 90° to the left).

(12) Ignore a small path on the left, turn right and head down to the bottom of the valley.

(13) At the bottom, turn right into the valley (mountain bike signs). You’ll come to a stone bridge on the right (signposts).

(14) Pass the bridge on your right and take a sharp left-hand bend. Climb up the hillside on the Sentier du Badaïre. At the top of the hill (with a view of the Réaltor reservoir opposite), follow the Badaïre circular route to the right. Reach a small summit (360° view).

(15) Leave the main path and head left, following the “Sentier du Badaïre” signposts (on the left, see the stone marker for information on the Arc Valley and the Arbois Plateau). Take a hairpin bend to the right, still on the Sentier du Badaïre. Cross the valley and continue along the Sentier du Badaïre, climbing until you reach a^PR® path^.

(16) Follow it to the right (south-southeast). Take a sharp right-hand bend and you will immediately reach a junction.

(17) Then turn left (360° panorama). At the Badaïre trail marker, take a sharp right-hand bend. Head north-west until you reach an electricity pylon. At the junction shortly afterwards, head down to the left along a very stony path.

(18) Take a barely visible path on the right through the kermes oaks (be careful to spot this turn-off). After about twenty metres, rejoin a main track and follow it to the right (north-west).

(19) At a T-junction in front of an oak tree, turn right. Continue along the path, noting the low white stone walls and a few small cedars on your right. Pass diagonally under the power lines, staying on the path in the valley. Further on, take a sharp left-hand bend.

(20) At a major junction, continue straight on towards a large cistern. Go round it on the left. Join a main track and follow it to the left (view of the Étang de Berre).

(21) At a crossroads forming a large open area (sign for "Forêt communal d’Aix-en-Provence – Grand Arbois"), take a path on the right to begin the descent (speed camera directly opposite). At the bottom, at the junction at the 200m mark, continue straight on along the "Les Pradaux" property.

(22) At the crossroads, turn right at a 90° angle to reach a car park (stay on the main path).

(23) Follow a tarmac road downhill to reach the starting car park (S/E).

Please note that access to the car park is via a very narrow road where vehicles cannot pass each other except at designated passing places. Please drive carefully and use your horn (in moderation!) to signal your presence.