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 challenging hike between two parallel, wild and rocky valleys. The route linking these two valleys follows a lovely track that passes by the Cauvières springs and the Gargoutier well. Beautiful views of Marseille and the Chaine de l’Etoile. A GPS is essential. Please take careful note of the ‘Practical Information’ section before setting out on this hike.

A very challenging circular route to Pilon du Roi, passing through four magnificent valleys: the Vallon de Mauvelle with its large limestone basins to cross, the Vallon du Pilon du Roi with its strangely shaped rocks that sometimes seem to be watching us, the more accessible Vallon de Fontvielle with its caves and springs, and the Vallon des Escombes, sometimes wild, sometimes calm, with its long tunnel of vegetation at the end of the route. A short stretch of tarmac through La Montade to return to the starting point.

A very beautiful Nordic walking route with no difficulty and wide tracks. A magnificent panorama of the entire Chaîne de l'Étoile and views of Allauch, Plan-de-Cuques, Marseille and its harbour.

Another suggested route to reach the Pilon du Roi via its valley, starting from the Chemin des Gages in Plan-de-Cuques via a beautiful ridge path between the Vallon des Escombes and the Chemin de Mimet. After a round trip to the lookout point and a passage at the foot of the Pilon du Roi, the return route also follows a ridge between the Vallon de Mauvelle and the Vallon du Pilon du Roi, passing via the Caban. Magnificent 360° views throughout the route.

Another route to reach the Vallon des Escombes via beautiful tracks running alongside the Chemin de Mimet and through the Puits de Besson. A magnificent panorama of the Étoile massif, followed by the wild, rugged landscape of the Vallon des Escombes. Finally, a tunnel of vegetation to pass through. Important note: please take careful note of the practical information before setting out on this hike.

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 short route in the hills overlooking the village of Allauch, passing by Notre-Dame du Château and the ruins of the Sainte Croix du Lointain chapel. Beautiful views of Allauch and Marseille.

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.

This is a hike that climbs quite steeply on a tarmac road right at the start, then continues to climb quite steeply for a few kilometres. You then descend gently, with a few sections over rock that are a bit tricky, but not too much. The route takes you across pleasant plateaus with unobstructed views of the Vallon des Amandiers and Sainte-Baume, with Marseille in the background.

This is a fairly challenging hike that takes you to several highlights of the Garlaban massif, such as the Col de l'Amandier, the Parloire and the Barre Coupé, the Plaine de la Grive (a strange, undulating plain), the Col du Tubé and the Taoumé. All this with beautiful 360° views of the entire region. This plain should not be confused with the Corniche des Tourdres (thrushes in Provençal), which is located above Lascours.

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 pleasant circular route starting from Allauch to discover the Pic du Taoumé via the Pounche des Escaouprés. Along the way, you will pass the Grotte du Grosibou, Baume Sourne, the Puits du Mûrier and then return via the Col du Tubé. Throughout this route, you can enjoy a sumptuous 360° landscape.

An original route starting from Allauch towards the Pic du Taoumé, passing through the Pas de Menoun and the Source du Chien, then heading up the Vallon des Escaouprés amidst the water-filled limestone potholes. En route, take a detour to the Grotte de l’Étoile where, after heavy storms, you can see water gushing from its channel, then on the return journey, through old bauxite mining galleries. The whole route is crowned by sumptuous landscapes. (see the nearby section)

After a long spell of rain, this route allows you to discover water gushing from the depths of the Grotte de l’Étoile. Following the stream bed, the route descends to a magnificent waterfall, which you will then climb up to reach the overflowing Source du Chien further up. Then, as you climb up the Vallon des Escaouprès amidst the potholes, a detour is a must to Font Berguette and its jet of water emerging from the middle of the cliff. A dazzling spectacle. Finally, a walk towards the Pic du Taoumé before returning to the starting point via a wide track.

A lovely circular walk along the paths of Marcel Pagnol, with panoramic views of the sea and mountains. To finish, a more touristy spot: Allauch and its little Notre-Dame du Château Chapel.

A fairly challenging walk from the Parc de la Nègre to the Pilon du Roi, returning via the Tête du Jacquot. The main attraction of this walk lies above all in the long stretch along the ridge of the Massif de l’Étoile, with superb views on both sides, rocks of all shapes and, finally, the arrival at the Pilon du Roi, an imposing monolith visible from across the region. Please read the route description carefully at (7).

An alternative route, entitled ‘From La Nègre to L’Oasis’, runs between the southern and northern slopes of the Chaîne de l’Étoile. Starting from La Nègre, it takes you to the Col des Ouides, then down the Mérentiers stream towards the place known as L’Oasis. The climb back up to the Pas de la Colle, followed by the descent towards the Vallon de Mauvelle and a section passing close to the Tête du Jacquot, then leads back to the La Nègre area.

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 suggested route to reach the Aire de la Moure, taking you off the usual wide tracks and favouring paths at the bottom of valleys with varied and wild scenery. Please do take the practical information into account.

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

Starting from the village of Logis Neuf, a classic hike to the Pilon du Roi via its valley, but with an alternative return route through another small valley passing below Notre Dame du Rot, which is well worth exploring for its wild and rugged character.

This is more of a walk to enjoy with family or friends. The route follows a DFCI (firebreak), so the paths are very wide and very pleasant for children to cycle on or for pushing pushchairs. The path is wide, practically along the entire length of the route, but gently sloping. This is the Chemin de Mimet. When you arrive near Notre-Dame-des-Anges, below, there is a narrow, rocky and picturesque path for experienced walkers. It leads to the Grotte des Ermites, some 100 metres below. You then have to retrace your steps. Children will be safe during this descent to the Grotte des Ermites, which will leave them with a very nice memory. It's not very long, but it's really very pretty.

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 difficult hike offering access to the ruins of Notre-Dame du Rot and the Pilon du Roi via less well-trodden paths, as they do not appear on IGN maps. Along the way, you’ll encounter a spectacular landscape with strangely shaped rocks and magnificent views of Marseille, Gardanne and the Sainte-Victoire massif.Please note: there are a few difficult ascents and descents where you will need to use your hands (see practical information).The use of a GPS or the app with the route track is essential.

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 lovely hike with a big climb up the ridge of the valley. Return via the Vallon de Fontvieille (as it is known), where the lush vegetation makes you forget that you are in the Étoile massif.

A short, easy walk that passes by the former Grottes Loubière and the Chemin de la Télévision, before descending – as soon as the path becomes accessible – into the picturesque and wild Ravin de la Baume. As a bonus, there are beautiful views of Marseille and the Côte Bleue.

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.

La Parloire and La Barre Coupée – everything has been said about these two distinctive features of the Garlaban massif. Every time we pass through, we appreciate this superb landscape. There are several possible starting points for exploring this site. I suggest a route starting from Les Maurins, entirely on footpaths. It’s a hike that can easily be done in half a day. It could also serve as a basis for planning a longer hike in the future.

A family walk around the Plateau de la Mure with its old bastide, olive grove and Vallon Dol basin. A huge space offering incredible views from north to south over the city of Marseille, the Côte Bleue and L'Estaque.

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.

This is a hike over somewhat challenging terrain that ends off-track to reach the summit of Tête Ronde. You can enjoy beautiful scenery and visit the Bauxite Cave on the way back. It is a short, well-trodden route

The ruins of Jas de Batisto are nothing extraordinary. However, they provide a destination for a short hike on a sunny afternoon. The view of the Passe Temps valley, Garlaban and Escaouprés is magnificent. The area is wild and, with a little luck, you may see partridges and hares.

Ascent to Taoumé via the Pas du Loup and return via the Jas de la Badoque and the Vallon de Passe-Temps. You’ll pass by the Bastide Neuve, the Jas de Baptisto, the rock carvings at the Pas du Loup and the Grotte du Grosibou.

A hike to the famous Taoumé, dear to Marcel Pagnol, via the Vallon de Passe-Temps from La Treille. Return via the Vallon des Escaouprés.

The free Pays d'Aubagne et de l'Étoile bus network offers some unique routes. For example, line 10 (Aubagne Station – La Treille) will drop you off at La Treille, just a stone’s throw from Marcel Pagnol’s grave. You can then head into the hills where he filmed his movies. You will then pass through the magnificent Font de Mai estate. Afterwards, you can return to Aubagne on bus route 14 (Éoures – Aubagne Station). Please note that these buses do not run on Sundays.