Marseilleveyre Massif: the 9 Steps

Access:
- By bus, take line 19 running between Castellane and Madrague de Montredon (via Avenue du Prado) and get off at the terminus in Madrague de Montredon. For those running late, return via night bus 583, running between Madrague de Montredon and Canebière Bourse.
- By car, from the Prado beaches, head towards Callelongue then park at the foot of Mont Rose.

(S/E) Cross the road, Chemin des Goudes, to reach the hiking trailheads at Parc Adrienne Delavigne.

Markings: Blue (trail no. 1), Brown (trail no. 1), Black (trail no. 1) and^{GR®98/GR®51}
The Black route is also known as the “President’s Trail” (Antoine Péllicé).

The trail starts on a wide, vehicle-accessible track, climbing quite steeply up the hillside. After 300m at the track junction, continue straight ahead then immediately turn right at the fork. The track then turns into a footpath.

Follow the blue, brown, black and^{GR®98/GR®51}markings.

Black markings (trail no. 1) and^{GR®98/GR®51}
(1) After about 330m, turn right at the fork. The path leads over small valleys and is dotted with rocky outcrops that sometimes require you to use your hands. Views of the rocky, steep coastline between La Madrague Montredon and Callelongue, not to mention the surrounding islands. It winds along a ridge path to the Col du Brès,

(2) At the Col du Brès, continue straight on, staying on the black-marked path and^{the GR®98/GR®51}. Here, the path begins a lovely descent, accentuated by the small outcrop known as ‘le Pas Edgard du Heath’. Pass above the Fortin des Goudes and follow the path to the left.

No markings
(3) 1.1 km after the Pas Edgard Heath, leave the "Sentier du Président" and the^{GR®98/GR®51}. Take the path branching off to the left, then after about 120 m, cross the "Pas du Lapin", which you must descend on the right. Head straight down, then after about 20m rejoin the "Sentier du Président" and the^{GR®98/GR®51}; follow it to the left. The path widens into a slightly gravelly track.

Yellow markings (trail no. 3)
(4) At the foot of the descent, at the fork, continue to the left. The scree path climbs up the Vallon Saint-Michel. At the end of the scree, the path narrows, allowing only a narrow passage beneath the dense trees. Several sections over rocky boulders begin, until you reach the “Escalier des Géants”.

On the vertical wall (3–4 m high), weathered notches provide footholds. An alternative route is provided on the right-hand side, marked with a yellow dotted line. Continue up the Vallon Saint-Michel until you reach the junction with the red trail.

Yellow markings (trail no. 3) and Red markings (trail no. 1)
(5) After joining the Red trail, continue uphill for 100m until you reach Col Bouvier.

Yellow markings (trail no. 3) and Green (trail no. 1)
Then continue to the right along the Yellow and Green trail towards the Rocher de Saint-Michel. You will reach the foot of the first cave, known as the Grotte de l’Ours. Pass between several columns and a narrow passage to discover a large chamber. Right next to it, with its entrance clearly visible, is the small Grotte de Saint-Michel d’Eau Douce.

Continue along the Green trail, skirting the cliffs of the Rocher Saint-Michel, to reach the Grotte de l'Ermite. The entrance is reached after a short climb. A rope is provided to aid the ascent. A promontory in front of the cave offers a stunning view.

Yellow dotted markings (trail no. 2a)
Below the cave, continue along the path branching off to the right. Look for the series of ledges leading to the Lames des Goudes, up to the "Pas de la Demi-Lune", a natural gap cutting through the Lames du Rocher de Saint-Michel.

Green dotted markings (trail no. 2a)
After crossing the Pas, on the other side of the Rocher de Saint-Michel, continue to the left. The path descends.

After 250 m, pass below the Grotte du Déserteur. The discreet entrance is on the left, via a small ascending path through the vegetation. Continue the descent on the path marked with green dots.

Yellow markings (trail no. 2)
300 m after the cave, cross the Yellow-marked trail and continue straight on along it for about a hundred metres.

(6) Arrive in the Vallon de la Mounine (below the Pas de la Mounine) at the junction with the Green trail no. 2. Continue left along the trail, marked Yellow (trail no. 2). After 120m, take the path that branches off to the left in a hairpin bend. Ignore the path that descends to the right and you will soon reach the Col de la Galinette.

No markings
Continue rightwards down the scree slope, which descends steeply. At the bottom of the descent, you emerge into Grand Malvallon. A fork is marked by a cairn; continue straight ahead.

Green markings (trail no. 3)
You will then find yourself on a lovely track with a slight downward slope.

Black markings (trail no. 2) and^{GR®98/GR®51}
(7) You will arrive at the Calanque de Marseilleveyre. Turn left onto the^GR® to follow the seafront eastwards. After about 650m, you will pass the Calanque des Queyrons.

Then, after about 250m, you’ll come to a small fork. Take the right-hand fork to descend to the beach at Calanque de Podestat, following the cliff along the seafront.

Marked with black dots (trail no. 2c).
Join the path that climbs eastwards along the seafront. You will then rejoin the^{GR®98/GR®51}.

Green markings (path no. 5)
(8) At the barely marked fork ahead, turn right (almost a hairpin bend) towards Anse de la Melette (marked in green). A short, easy descent leads to a beautiful slab by the sea.

Continue eastwards, following the green markings, to reach the headland of the Calanque de l’Escu. Then cross the Pas du Bénitier. The ledge section is equipped with a sheathed cable. Be careful, as the protective sheath tends to slip.

Continue along the path, which then descends through the Pas du Pêcheur, equipped with two cables to aid the descent.

Green Dot markings (trail no. 5a)
At the foot of the Pas du Pêcheur, turn right to make a round trip to the Calanque de l'Escu. Pass in front of the various climbing routes and then head to the old cistern beneath the limestone arch.

Return to the foot of the Pas and then follow the Cortiou route (marked in green), staying on the green-marked trail heading east, whilst walking along the coast.

No markings
(9) After walking for about 450m, you’ll arrive just before Anse de la Melette. When the^{GR®98/GR®51}veers sharply to the right, look out for two large boulders on the left. A small, inconspicuous path appears on the left just after this.

Head up through the Bois des Walkyries. Take the path on the left through the scree/stream bed to avoid the dense vegetation. There are a few scattered cairns. The path climbs steeply in places. The track generally heads north.

You’ll reach an easy first ledge, forming the first part of the Pas Inférieur de la Mélette. This veers slightly to the left. You’ll then emerge onto the Pas Inférieur de la Mélette itself, which is much steeper.

Brown marker
The exit from the Pas is to the right onto a small exposed ledge. A small dihedral must be bypassed. Then follow the clearly visible path which climbs northwards. You will soon reach the^{GR®98/GR®51}, then turn right.

Brown markings (path no. 3)
(10) After a few metres at the cairn, continue left along the path. Leave the^{GR®98/GR®51}. The track climbs quite steeply through scree.

The path then leads to the Pas Supérieur de la Melette. A rope serving as a handrail helps you cross the limestone slab. Continue the easier climb after the Pas until you reach the plateau, still following the markings.

Green markings (path no. 4)
(11) Just before the Plateau de l’Homme Mort, cross the Green trail and turn right onto it. You will soon cross Blue trail no. 1 (there is a cairn), continuing straight on the Green trail which descends northwards.

(12) After 350m, cross Yellow Trail No. 4. Continue straight on down the scree slope. Descend quickly through the Vallon de l'Homme Mort and arrive at the foot of the descent at a trail junction.

Red markings (trail no. 1)
(13) Take the second path on the left, which descends slightly. After 150m, you will reach the Fontaine de Voire (on the right, beneath the cliff).

No markings
Next, take the tarmac track on the left which climbs steeply. This turns into a track suitable for vehicles. On a slight flat section, continue straight ahead.

(14) At a crossroads, take the path on the left which climbs.

Red markings (trail no. 1)
When you reach the summit, continue straight on, following the markings.

Yellow markings (trail no. 2)
(15) On the descent, follow the path to the right. Cross the Grotte Tunnel des Goélands and continue down the slope following the markings. At the bottom of the descent, continue to the left. Yellow markings via path no. 2C. Walk for approximately 450m.

No markings
(16) At the junction, turn left and take the wide, vehicle-accessible track that leads downwards. When this track takes a wide bend to the right after 300m, go straight on along the path that joins it. Then ignore the path branching off to the right and continue straight ahead.

Descend through the woodland.

Signposting: Yellow (trail no. 1), Brown (trail no. 1), Green (trail no. 1)
(17) Once you reach the houses, turn left. Pass by the boules courts. The path climbs. Pass close to the climbing walls (on the right).

Markings: Yellow (trail no. 1), Black (trail no. 5)
(18) At the crossroads, turn left. The path continues to climb. On the level stretch, look out for a discreet path leading down to the left. You’ll need to climb down a small section to find yourself facing the entrance to the Grotte Rolland.

Two chambers can be easily visited: the “Chapelle du Diable” and the “Galerie du Trésor”. After visiting the cave, retrace your steps to the trail junction below.

Markings: Brown (trail no. 1), Black (trail no. 1), Green (trail no. 1)
(18) Once you reach the junction, continue straight ahead. The path climbs.

No markings, then green markings
After about 200m, turn left onto the path which continues to climb. You will then come to a green marker. Pass a boulder marked in green with “Col des Chèvres”. Walk along the right-hand side of the cliffs through small scree slopes until you reach the foot of the Pas de la Cabre. After crossing the small ledge, the climb continues quite steeply through a long gully.

Green markings (path no. 1)
(19) At Col des Chèvres, continue left then immediately right onto the path that descends through the Vallon de l’Aigle. The descent continues until you cross the Pas du Pin. A small crevice on the cliff face provides a safe passage.

Red markings (trail no. 1)
Shortly after crossing the Pas du Pin, you will meet the Red trail. Continue along this trail, turning right. The markings remain shared with Green trail no. 1 for a few metres.

Yellow markings (trail no. 3) and Red markings (trail no. 1)
Pass once more in front of the path leading up to the Rocher de Saint-Michel. Continue the descent.

Red markings (trail no. 1)
(5) When the Red Trail branches off to the right, stay on it. After joining the Red Trail, climb for 100m until you reach Col Bouvier.

No markings
(20) After a 450m descent, at the bottom of the slope where the Red trail makes a sharp left-hand bend, take the second path on the right which climbs, then immediately turn right at the fork. Ignore all the paths you cross, continuing straight up the slope (path facing north).

Brown markings (trail no. 1)
(21) At Col Moutte, at the junction of the Yellow and Brown trails, continue straight on along the Brown trail. Descend through the Vallon du Piadon.

Blue markings (trail no. 1), Brown (trail no. 1), Black (trail no. 1) and^{GR®98/GR®51}
(1) After a 750m descent, reach the fork in the track. Continue straight ahead. Continue the descent along the^{GR®98/GR®51}and the Sentier du Président to reach Mont Rose (S/E).

A 1:15,000 map of the Calanques is strongly recommended, if not essential, given the numerous markings and paths in the area.

Hike featuring exposed and challenging sections.

From 1 June to 30 September, access to the massif is regulated and may restrict access times (or even prohibit access entirely).
Check this website before setting off.

No water sources along the entire route.

The Lower Step of La Melette (which consists of two sections, including a Grade IV step) may require the use of a rope (10m in length), as this section is completely unprotected. The exit is somewhat exposed and situated on a small ledge.

The Upper Pas de la Melette (Grade III) has a rope, the condition of which should be checked before attempting the climb, as there are few holds and the slab is completely smooth and overhanging, leaving the whole body hanging over the edge.

In strong winds, the exits from the Pas de la Demi-Lune and the Pas du Pin are tricky.

The descent into the Grotte Rolland is quite slippery. Do not venture into the narrow passages and chasms without proper equipment and alone!

This route is not recommended if the ground is wet or in rainy weather; the limestone is slippery in places and can become very dangerous.

The elevation gain mentioned is underestimated by approximately 200m, following ‘simplification’ of the GPX track. Actual elevation gain is around 1850m. The succession of ascents and descents is very close together (hence the points are clustered).

Grotte de l'Ours
Saint Michel d'Eau Douce Cave
Grotte de l'Ermite
Grotte du Déserteur
Rolland’s Cave

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