The Amandier caves

On the D5 coming from Sausset-les-Pins, park on the square in front of the Chapel of Saint-Julien-les-Martigues.

(S/E) Explore the area around the chapel to discover a magnificent stone bas-relief on the north side. Then turn right onto Chemin de Beaumanière. Walk for about 350 metres until you reach a Y-junction with the DFCI CB 213 track, which is also the return route.

(1) Keep left on the road, then left again 420 m further on at a junction with the CB 106 track. After a right-hand bend (large gate), leave the road on the right just before a left-hand bend and a "dos d'âne" sign.

(2) Enter the forest and follow the path that climbs slightly north-northeast. Keep left at a Y-junction, then left again at a T-junction. The wider, level path passes under a high-voltage power line before turning left onto a stony descent. Look for a path on the left that climbs eastwards.

(3) Follow this path for a short climb. At the end of a passage through the undergrowth, look for a trail on the left that is not very visible at first.

(4) Turn left for a hairpin bend to the west. Keep left for a steep descent that joins the hollow of a valley and then, further on, the Trou du Loup path (GRP®2013), at a pumping station at an elevation of 91 metres. Turn left onto this GRP®, pass the junction with the Baumanière path (signpost at elevation 83) and then, about 80 m further on, you will come to a junction with a dead end, Les Tourets.

(5) Turn right onto the tarmac path, which then turns into a dirt track. You will come to a shed and a barrier. A few metres after the barrier, look for a faint path on the right that climbs into the forest.

(6) Turn right and follow this path, marked by a few small cairns and succulent plants. Reach the top of the hill, keeping westward to follow the cliffs and spot openings in the rock. At this point, there are no more traces and you will have to cross a few bushes to get closer to the caves and visit them. They are magnificent. Admire the view over the valley. Follow the cliffs to a final cave blocked by a large almond tree. Turn back.

(6) Turn right and follow the path into the forest. You will come to a Y-junction.

(7) Turn left and you will come to a T-junction.

(8) Turn right for a series of ascents and descents. Be careful, this path is frequented by mountain bikes. You will arrive at a Y-junction with a track (buried pipelines).

(9) Turn right onto this track and after about 100 metres, you will arrive next to a ruin and a star-shaped junction.

(10) Turn left and follow the path that passes above the pumping station and then further on above the Canal de Provence water reservoir. After a steep descent, you will arrive at a Y-junction with the GRP®2013 track.

(11) Turn right onto the trail, pass through a gate and arrive in the Vallon de Valtrède. Turn left onto the straight path.

(12) Turn right and continue left on the path parallel to the valley. You will come to a junction with a trail.

(13) Turn right onto this path, which winds upwards. You will come to a junction with the DFCI CB 106 track.

(14) Veer slightly left to follow the path opposite, under the high-voltage line, which descends southwards into the valley. You will come to a Y-junction.

(15) Turn right to climb north into another valley. You will arrive at a Y-junction.

(16) Turn left onto trail CB 213. You will come to a Y-junction at elevation 88. There is a barrier on the left (private property).

(17) Turn right and then keep left. Walk alongside the vineyards until you reach a junction with the Beaumanière path.

(1) Turn left and head towards the chapel, the starting point of the hike (S/E).

For information: the author's time for this route was 3 hours 45 minutes (including searching for the caves) (excluding breaks).

It is possible to shorten the route by 1600 m and avoid the detour through the valleys by continuing on the DFCI CB 106 track from WP (14) to WP (16).