Tête Ronde from the Vallon des Escourtines

de fr

A short but beautiful hike to the summit of Tête Ronde. Magnificent 360° views of Marseille, the Huveaune valley, the Étoile and Garlaban, Sainte Baume, the Lantins mountains, Carpiagne and Saint Cyr.

You are in the Calanques National Park, which is subject to specific regulations. Failure to comply with these regulations may result in a fine of up to €1,500.

Details

n°38098422
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 2.47 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,047 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,043 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,414 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 367 ft
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ City: Marseille (13000)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 43.273342° / E 5.505758°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 3145ET
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Tête Ronde

Description of the walk

Car park at the end of Chemin du Vallon des Escourtines

Yellow markings

(S/E) Follow the wooded valley along the yellow-marked path which joins theGR®2013.

Yellow andGR® red and white markings

(1) Stay in the valley by turning right onto theGR®2013. You’ll reach a junction of two parallel paths.

(2) The route chosen here heads left, but the two paths join up 300 m further on. Leave the Vallon des Escourtines and follow the yellow andGR® markings as they climb to the right. You will reach the Col Limite.

Blue markings

(3) Turn right onto the blue-marked path climbing along the ridge towards Tête Ronde.

(4) Tête Ronde: note the start of two blue-marked trails at a survey marker. Descend eastwards and follow the blue markings back to the car park (S/E). (When the path splits into two, do not go down to the left but continue straight ahead).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 367 ft - End of the Chemin du Vallon des Escourtines
  2. 1 : mi 0.45 - alt. 505 ft - GR2013 junction
  3. 2 : mi 0.84 - alt. 653 ft - Alternative route
  4. 3 : mi 1.35 - alt. 1,115 ft - Col Limite
  5. 4 : mi 1.61 - alt. 1,414 ft - Tête Ronde (400 m)
  6. S/E : mi 2.47 - alt. 371 ft - End of the Chemin du Vallon des Escourtines

Notes

Walking poles recommended.
Take care and be cautious on the descent back, especially towards the end.
You can also do this circular loop in the opposite direction.

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

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Reviews and comments

4 / 5
Based on 5 reviews
Reliability of the description
4 / 5
Ease of following the route
4 / 5
Route interest
4 / 5
User 28328193

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 12, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely little walk just a stone's throw from Marseille, with beautiful views from the round head.

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User 11739784

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 13, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Hike with breathtaking views, but you have to work for them!
There are climbs between points 2.5 and 4, followed by fairly steep descents with stones, so be careful not to slip 😉

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Marzo974
Marzo974

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 14, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant little hike

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jpcendron
jpcendron

A lovely walk with stunning views. The valley is very shady and cool. There are a few steep and stony sections, but overall the walk is easy.

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Fafaderga
Fafaderga
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 03, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very easy and pleasant route to start with. Then it gets a bit more challenging on the ridge and the descent.
Bring walking poles.

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Chamarchacha
Chamarchacha

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 03, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

A pleasant walk, with no major difficulties. It’s quite a steep climb between points 2.5 and 3.
80% of the walk is through woodland; it must be very pleasant in summer. I must admit that at 5°C, mostly in the shade (even though the weather was glorious), I felt quite cold... In winter, it might be best to do it in the morning, to get more sun (in the afternoon it disappears behind the hill).

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