Plan-de-Cuques walks

A circular walk on fairly wide tracks in the Plan de Cuques Communal Forest with beautiful views of the surrounding mountains and the city of Marseille, starting from La Montade. The first part of the walk is quite strenuous as it climbs steadily. The second part is downhill. Can be done on foot or by bike.

A short sporting excursion in the hills of Allauch: Petite and Grande Tête Rouge, returning via the Notre-Dame du Château Chapel, offering three magnificent viewpoints. Finally, a short stroll through the village of Allauch.

Double circular in the hills of Allauch starting from the Notre Dame du Château Chapel. Walk along the Baume des Pestiférés and the Tête Ronde, then climb up to the Pic du Taoumé. Then pass through the Escaouprés valley and begin the climb to the summit of Grande Tête Rouge, then Pounche des Escaouprés. Return via an old bauxite quarry at the foot of Petite Tête Rouge.

The hills of Allauch offer constant points of interest. Hunters use paths that are covered by vegetation (be careful, it can be quite prickly...). The caves are enigmatic, particularly the Étoile cave (a very large tunnel). As usual, the view of Marseille from the Grande Tête Rouge is well worth the climb. The section crossing the stream bed is very pleasant and accessible. There are springs to discover all along the route.

A pleasant hike to the Baumes des Pestiférés, then a detour to the Vallon des Escaouprés with its large limestone slabs and water-filled potholes. Along the way or nearby, you will find the Pichoun Ome spring, the Grande Tête Rouge, Le Col du Sauvage and La Tête Ronde with ancient bauxite deposits, the Berger and Etoile caves, La Source du Chien and its rock carvings, and finally La Pounche des Escaouprés. Beautiful views of Allauch, Marseille and the Étoile mountain range.

A beautiful hike in the Massif de l'Etoile, with superb views of Marseille, its surroundings and the Frioul Islands. The colours and scents of the heath accompany walkers throughout the circuit.

A short hike but with lots of curiosities to discover. Engravings on limestone slabs made by the ancient shepherds of Pas dei Menoun and Source du Chien, a rare spring that still flows throughout the winter and into spring. The Berger cave and its engravings, the Grotte de l'Étoile where you can see water gushing out after heavy storms. Finally, on the way back, the Laurier spring and the ascent of the Grande Tête Rouge for a 360° panorama of Marseille and its surroundings.

This route allows you to discover the old bauxite mines in the Allauch massif. These small deposits in shallow galleries were quickly exhausted. For safety reasons, the entrance to some galleries is blocked by gates and rubble. Remains of these mines are still visible. This route also allows you to discover the Baumes des Pestiférés, the Pichoun Ome spring, the Tête Ronde and the Grande Tête Rouge.

A pleasant hike starting from Allauch to discover the Vallon de l'Amandier with beautiful views of Marseille and the Côte Bleue.

Route in the hills of Allauch, taking paths that are less frequented than the main tracks. A feeling of wild tranquillity in the heath. Beautiful views of Marseille and the Chaîne de l'Étoile, particularly the Aire de la Moure, a training area for Civil Protection aircraft.

A beautiful hike in the Étoile massif on tracks or paths with magnificent views of Marseille, the Étoile and Mediterranean vegetation: fig trees, arbutus trees, heather, rosemary, etc.

A hike to the highly original Aire de la Moure with its panoramic view of the Marseille region. Avoid Thursdays, as this is when Canadairs and other Dash 8 aircraft practise their drops.

An easy hike, mostly on fairly wide tracks, then a path leading to the Aire de la Moure from the Vallon de Mordeau. Beautiful views of Marseille and all the surrounding hills with beautiful colours to discover. You may even see black pigs raised organically along the way.

A short hike in the Étoile massif between tracks and trails. You will often come across a herd of goats roaming free on or near the boules court. Please do not feed them (there is a sign reminding you that this is prohibited). However, if you have any water left over after your hike, especially in summer, please feel free to fill their water tanks.

A short hike to the famous Taoumé, dear to Marcel Pagnol. It is best to avoid this walk in the heat of summer.

An original circular in the Étoile massif to discover numerous wells and old lime kilns.

An easy Nordic walking route at the foot of La Grande Étoile and on beautiful DFCI tracks. Along the way, enjoy beautiful views of Marseille and the Côte Bleue.

This hike starts at Logis Neuf near Plan-de-Cuques and takes you to Pilon du Roi, climbing up the beautiful valley of the same name. From there, follow the ridges offering magnificent panoramic views of the entire region to reach the Tête du Grand Puech. During the descent, you will discover the Aire de la Moure before returning, after a short climb, to your starting point.

A challenging hike to the peaks of Bau Trauqua mountain via the valley of the Grotte des Ermites, then back via the Col Sainte Anne and the Grotte du Facteur. Along the way, you will find caves, grottos, springs and a well. A wild landscape with strangely shaped rocks.

Starting from the Marseille metropolitan area, a combination of classic trails and lesser-known paths to reach and explore a section of the Chaîne de l'Étoile ridges.

A beautiful hike to Mont Julien and the Grotte des Fées with magnificent views of Marseille, Cadolive, Gardanne and the Sainte-Victoire Massif in the background. Return via the Figuière and Vache valleys.

This is a pleasant, easy hike on beautiful, clear tracks and paths, allowing you to discover the Aire de la Moure, a reddish plateau used for training civil defence water bombers, and then the Baou de l'Aigle cliff, a climbing site.

The circuit allows you to discover pretty secret valleys in the Grand Puech massif and magnificent panoramic views of Marseille, Cadolive and Sainte-Victoire.

Hike from La Batarelle to La Grande Étoile and Le Petit Sanguin, avoiding the wide DFCI tracks as much as possible in favour of the small, steep paths, which give this route a sporty character. Along the way, you will see two wells, ruins, a cave, an old lime kiln and magnificent views of Marseille and the Côte Bleue.

Another idea for a route to reach the magnificent site of La Parloire is to take beautiful trails with views of Marseille, the Chaîne de l'Étoile and the Montagne de Sainte-Victoire.

Hike around the Tête Ronde, with superb views of Marseille.

This hike will allow you to discover a large part of the Garlaban massif. In my opinion, it is one of the most beautiful. The views from the peaks are superb. From the summit of Grande Tête Rouge, you can see all of Marseille from Callelongue to L'Estaque, and from Garlaban, the Gulf of La Ciotat and Cassis.