Summit of Marseilleveyre – Béouveyre via the Pas du Pin

Park in the car park on the unpaved section at the end of Boulevard Louis Pierotti.

Red markings

(S/E) Take the wide, stony path at the end of the car park and head towards a forest gate. Go through it and continue straight on.

No markings

(1) Turn right, leaving the markings behind, and follow the path which starts off almost flat through the woodland before climbing as it crosses several concrete sections. Navigate a hairpin bend to the left near a ruined building and continue for about a hundred metres.

Old red markings

Leave the path and take a narrower track that starts on the left. Keep to the right at the three-way junction that appears shortly afterwards, cross a rocky outcrop and then the gap in an old stone wall. Then cross a small plateau planted with pine trees towards a second rocky outcrop and reach a clearly marked crossroads.

(2) Continue along the path opposite. Cross the second rocky outcrop and emerge onto an open area where the track disappears into the numerous small scree slopes. Descend straight down the slope, choosing your route as best you can without being drawn to the right, and emerge onto a cross-country path.

Yellow markings

(3) Turn left. Join a red-marked path coming from the left.

Yellow + Red markings

Carry on straight ahead to quickly reach a junction marked by a large boulder bearing numerous markings.

Yellow and Green markings no. 3.

Turn left and head for the Col de la Selle.

Blue markings

(4) Leave the obvious path and head straight ahead up a fairly steep climb over a small rocky ridge, keeping a close eye on the blue markings on the ground. The going gets tougher, with a few sections where you’ll need to use your hands. You’ll reach a junction (marked ‘Monument’ on the IGN map).

Blue + Yellow + Red Markings

(5) Turn left and tackle the final climb leading to the summit of Marseilleveyre, easily recognisable by its cross.

(6) After taking in the exceptional 360° view, head back down to the ruined building which marks the start of the descent.

Red markings

Follow the path, which features several sections of easy scrambling requiring you to use your hands. Take care not to miss the next change of direction, marked by a green arrow on the ground, which is difficult to spot when descending.

Green markings

(7) Turn right onto a narrow path (ledge) leading, a few dozen metres further on, to the Pas du Pin, a very narrow rock crevice which you must climb whilst securing your handholds. You’ll emerge at the entrance to a small valley which you must follow uphill to reach the Col des Chèvres.

Green + Blue Markings

Climb an initial rocky section of around thirty metres using your hands for support, then a narrow chimney secured by a steel cable, which leads to the summit of Béouveyre, which also offers an exceptional 360° view.

Green + Brown markings

(8) Begin the very steep descent along a path featuring several sections requiring downclimbing, which must be negotiated with care. Once the first houses come into view, join the Black-marked trail and continue straight on. You’ll reach a crossroads.

(9) Ignore the black markings straight ahead and turn left. You’ll reach the forest gate at the end of Boulevard de la Grotte Roland; do not go through it, but turn right instead. Keep left at the three-way junction that appears immediately and walk along the back of the houses.

No signposting

At the bend, stay on the wide stony path by continuing to the right, until you reach a large crossroads where a remarkable pine tree stands, then turn left. You’ll come to another junction behind Château Pastré, which you can see through the foliage, and turn right, making a 180° turn. Continue until you reach the first hairpin bend to the right.

Unreliable red markings

(10) Leave the track for a path starting on the right at the ‘BW63’ marking painted in red on the stone: this start of the path is really not easy to spot. The track quickly disappears amongst the low vegetation, so take care to keep heading in the same direction whilst following a small rocky ridge on your right. Progress is difficult as the barely discernible track climbs a very steep slope.

No signposting

Once on level ground, keep a rocky outcrop on your left at a distance, navigating as best you can over a sharp limestone pavement, which doesn’t make the task any easier. Join a wide track and follow it straight ahead.

(2) Continue straight ahead. Pass a small pass before beginning a very steep descent on cemented ground. The slope levels out before reaching a crossroads at the bottom of the valley.

Red markings

Turn left and carry on straight ahead until you reach the car park where you started (S/E).

Signposting

As is the case throughout the Calanques National Park, there are numerous intersecting signposts, so you’ll need to pay close attention.
The GPX track will be very useful for finding your way around the terrain.

The red markings after the (10) are very distinctive and rather erratic. There are numerous possible routes, and you must take care not to veer off to the left due to impassable rocky outcrops. This section is the most challenging in terms of navigation.

Grade

The hike is classified as Difficult due to several rocky sections that must be climbed or descended. This is particularly the case

• Between the Col de la Selle (4) and the summit of Marseilleveyre (6).
• The Pas du Pin after the Col de la Selle (7): a narrow, vertical rock crack about ten metres long where you really need to secure your footholds. This is the trickiest part of the hike.
• The rocky section just after the Col des Chèvres.
• The descent after Béouveyre (8).

This hike is therefore not recommended for those who are not confident on rocky terrain.

There are no water sources along the route. Make sure you carry enough water, especially in summer.

The terrain is extremely stony. Wear hiking boots with a good, lugged sole.