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In Le Rove on the D568, park in Allée des Écoles near the pharmacy.
(S/E) Head west, past the pharmacy, then cross the road at the traffic lights and take Chemin des Esclades opposite. Follow this paved road for about 200 m 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, turn left and climb up into the hills. You will come to a Y-junction.
(1) Turn right onto the track heading south-west. You will come to a Y-junction under a high-voltage power line.
(2) Turn left and follow the track that passes by the Puits del'Œuvre. You will arrive at a Y-junction at an elevation of 195 metres.
(3) Turn left and follow the Batterie de Figuerolles path, which offers beautiful views of Marseille harbour and its islands. At the top of a sharp bend to the left, look for a path that descends to the right.
(4) Follow this path and, a few metres further on, turn left onto a path that climbs eastwards and joins a ridge. Pass elevation 213. After passing a rocky outcrop, the path descends steadily with large smooth, slippery slabs to negotiate. Take great care. Admire the scenery and catch a glimpse of Fort de Figuerolles. The descent becomes steep and slippery for the last fifty metres before you reach a T-junction.
(5) Turn left onto the Sentier des Douaniers, marked in yellow. You will soon see an old stone shelter on the right that was used by customs officers. The path then descends. Cross a small bridge, ignore the paths leading off to the right, and you will come to a wooden footbridge and the Chemin du Resquiadou.
(6) Turn left onto the path and you will come to a junction with the N568 road. Turn left and cross the road with caution. Continue for about 200 m, passing some houses, and look for a path on the right that climbs steeply up the hill.
(7) Follow this path, which goes around the houses, to reach the Vallon du Gipier below. Turn left into the valley. In the wild heathland, the climb up the valley surrounded by rocks is easy and pleasant. You will easily spot the Baume des Pigeons on your left, then the Grotte du Blaireau next to it. Further on is the Grotte des Chauves-souris. You can leave the path for a steep climb through the scrubland to get closer to the caves and visit them. Head towards a high-voltage power line, where the climb becomes steeper. 50 m before the power line, you will come to a Y-junction.
(8) Turn left for a steep, stony and slippery descent. Take care. At the bottom, you will come to a T-junction.
(9) Turn left and stay left to follow the valley that runs alongside old houses with rubbish (a shame). You will arrive at the N568 road. Cross it carefully to pick up a track with a barrier on the other side. About 50 m after the barrier, look for a small path on the right at elevation 79.
(10) Turn right. The path runs alongside the D568, then gradually moves away from it, climbing steeply at times. After a descent into the forest, you will come to a T-junction that is not very visible.
(11) Turn right towards the north-west, then after a bend to the left, you will arrive at the bottom of a small valley.
(12) Turn left and go up the valley. Note the numerous terraces and olive trees. You will come to a Y-junction.
(13) Continue straight ahead, heading west, ignoring the paths on the left and right. After a winding descent, you will arrive at an open area and a crossroads.
(14) Turn left and follow the wide track that passes alongside a wire enclosure, then turn right. You will arrive at a Y-junction.
(15) Keep left and follow the path that passes under the high-voltage power line before reaching the junction you came from.
(1) Continue straight ahead and follow the same route as on the way there to return to the car park (S/E).
Visorando member
Difficult 
