Country:
City:
In Le Rove on the D568, park in Allée des Écoles near the pharmacy.
(S/E) Head west, past the chemist's, then cross the road at the traffic lights to take Chemin des Esclades opposite. Follow this paved road for about 200 metres 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, turns left and climbs into the hills. You will come to an X-shaped crossroads with four directions.
(1) Turn right and immediately take the wide path to the left of the track, which heads south. This path narrows after passing under a high-voltage power line. After a left turn, you will come to a Y-junction.
(2) Turn right and follow the path (east then south) which runs alongside a small valley to join it further down near the Puits de l'Œuvre. Visit the site then rejoin the track south of the well.
(3) Turn right onto the path that climbs towards the cliffs of Baou de l'Œuvre. Keep to the left and look for a natural, damp cavity in the rock. Note the statuette of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. Turn around and head left along the cliff. Ignore the paths coming from the right and arrive at an X-shaped crossroads in an area with sparse vegetation.
(4) Turn left and climb up to the ridge of Baou de l'Œuvre. At the top, turn left and follow the path heading north-east: magnificent views of Marseille harbour, the Frioul Islands and the Château d'If.
(5) Turn left about 20 metres before the "Baou de l'Œuvre" sign to discover the small Croix des Dames. It is not visible from the ridge path, but a small cairn indicates its direction. Continue on and you will see the Croix Paix et Amour in the distance. Then tackle a stony and slippery descent. Proceed with caution. You will reach a Y-junction.
(6) Turn right and continue down the rocky slope. You will arrive at Route Pompidou, which you should follow to the left for about 220 m. On the right, you will see the start of a path.
(7) Turn right onto this path, which winds along the ridge overlooking the Fontêtes valley. You will arrive at an open esplanade and an X-shaped crossroads.
(8) Turn right and climb up to the sign for "La Tête de Coucourdier" and a large cairn (elevation 174). Then begin a descent towards the south-west and then south, with the Rocher de la Vesse in your sights. Pass an X-shaped crossroads and keep left at the following crossroads. You will arrive at the bottom of the valley and a T-junction: on the right is the Rocher de la Vesse and its cross.
(9) Turn left and follow the valley that leads under an SNCF viaduct and the Calanque de Figuerolles. Head down to the beach for a moment of relaxation.
(10) Head back up to the customs officers' path via a steep and slippery climb over scree or just beside it through a passage in the rock where you will need to use your hands (see photo of the cove). You will arrive at a T-junction.
(11) Turn left onto the path to make a round trip to the Pointe de Figuerolles esplanade with its old stone observation posts used by customs officers and rusty remnants of the war.
(11) Continue straight ahead at the crossroads, crossing over the railway line on a steep and slippery path. Look out for the climb up the scree on the left towards the Vesse rock.
(12) Follow this direction: be careful not to slip. Cross a small fault with a large cairn, then turn right for a final climb to the Croix de la Vesse. Admire the landscape. Turn back.
(12) Take the route on the left and continue straight ahead at a multi-path junction, heading west. The path through the undergrowth descends and runs alongside the ruins of old military barracks. You will come to a Y-junction with ruins and a basketball hoop opposite.
(13) Turn right and walk for about 100 metres. Then descend a few concrete steps on the right and, about 40 metres further on, keep to the right to tackle a rocky climb: do not follow the blue markings that descend towards Chemin de la Carrière. You will reach a Y-junction.
(14) Turn right. The climb is steep with a challenging section over scree. Further on, there is a slippery rock slab to cross:proceed with caution. At the top, there are magnificent views. Follow the ridge line that runs along the Vallon de l'Estrassissaïre and further on joins the Route Pompidou, which you should follow to the left for about 300 m.
(15) Leave the road and take the path on the right, which heads north-east and joins the junction with the outward route.
(4) Turn left and arrive at the ridge at a T-junction. Turn right and follow the ridge line to a Y-junction with a track.
(16) Follow the track north-northeast. Pass the "Les Esclades" sign and go under a high-voltage power line. Return to the initial junction.
(1) Turn left and follow the same path back to the starting point (S/E).
Visorando Member
Moderate 
