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Depart from the Grand Caunet car park, near the D3.
(S/E) From the car park, head west and follow theGR®® 51 and 98 (red and white markings). After 500 metres, pass through the first barrier (small CG109 marker) and continue straight on along theGR®®. 250 metres further on, at the next fork, continue between the two concrete posts on the right-hand path (still theGR®®). Cross a tarmac slab and, at the wooden signposts, continue straight ahead, still on theGR®®, until you reach a crossroads (signposts).
(1) At the signs, continue straight ahead (west) on theGR®®. 1 km further on, pass the Cabanon du Marquis on your left. Then, climb uphill followed by a short descent.
(2) At the fork, take the path on the left. After 100 metres, a path joins from the right: continue left towards the west for about 50 metres.
(3) Then turn right (pile of stones at the foot of a large pine tree) and follow the path into the forest. Do not take the small path marked with wheel tracks on the left, but continue north. Further on, do not climb the tiny rock bar on the left, but turn right to pass underneath it. Continue north and arrive in the undergrowth at a trail intersection.
(4) Continue north, pass the cairn on a rock slab and continue straight ahead. The path descends into a rock crevice where you can see two fluorescent yellow circles. On the right, as you exit the crevice, note the old stone walls of the abandoned village of Vieux Roquefort. Walk along the old stone wall below, leaving a gate in the wall on your right, and follow the fluorescent yellow markings up towards the large wall of the ruins.
(5) Retrace your steps along the same path, passing through the crevice to the upper path.
(4) Turn left (east) onto the path that descends. It runs along the edge of the cliffs through the undergrowth (beautiful view through the gaps in the vegetation). Before reaching the second ridge that climbs back up, you will see the splendid Roquefort Castle on your left below. The path becomes a slightly sloping rocky base.
(6) At the end of this rocky section, follow the end of the rocky base to the left (ignore the small dirt path that branches off to the right). Head towards the bottom of the valley between the two bumps in the cliffs.
(7) After the valley floor, climb up following the edge of the cliff. After a short climb, turn left at the fork and follow the edge of the cliffs.
(8) 200 metres higher up, take the path on the right that heads eastwards up the hill (do not take the path on the left, marked 'Private Property' on a sign high up on a pine tree). 100 metres further on, take a sharp left turn and return to the edge of the cliffs on a pretty ledge.
(9) After about 300 metres of climbing (small cairn), instead of continuing on the main stony path that seems to lead to the summit, turn left as if to join the ridge line. Reach the ridge, which offers superb views of the Roquefort plain (view of Marseille Bay in the distance). Arrive at the Chapelle Saint-André de Julhans: take the opportunity to walk around it and continue 30 metres further along the edge of the cliff, where the views are breathtaking.
(10) Climb back up the main path marked in yellow. When you reach a track suitable for vehicles, turn left (east). After 350 metres, ignore the right-hand turn and continue straight ahead, following the yellow markings towards the cliffs overlooking Cuges les Pins.
(11) At the pass, in a large bend (signs on the left), turn right (south) onto the red and whiteGR®®98trail. Climb to the summit of Montounier (breathtaking view).
(12) Descend south-west following theGR®® (stony path). You will arrive at the crossroads you took on the way up.
(1) Turn left onto the red and whiteGR®® trail and, taking the opposite route to the one you took on the way up, head east-south-east to return to the starting point (S/E).
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