Tête Ronde via the Vallon des Escourtines

Park directly in the large car park with marked spaces at 55, Allée des Jacinthes, 13821, in La Penne-sur-Huveaune. A small car park is also available 800 metres further back.

(S/E) Go through the forest gate. About twenty metres further on, you’ll come to a junction on the right. Take the path coming from the right through the undergrowth. You’ll need to duck to get through, but the path opens out very quickly. You’ll come to a path on the right (which isn’t on the map) and continue straight on. You’ll come to another path on the left, which still isn’t on the map. Continue along the main path until you reach a junction with an electricity pylon on the right. Follow the path that climbs straight up. You’ll come to a wide path; keep heading along the main path, which climbs.

(1) At a clearing on the right, there is a very narrow single track. Take this track, which continues uphill to the right. It is very scenic and leads to two water tanks. Turn right past the tanks, heading almost straight ahead. Cross a path on the right and continue straight on the main path, which climbs towards the woods. After a steep climb, cross a very wide path. Just opposite, take a small single track that climbs, then cross another cistern on the right, marked number 466.

(2) Head right then follow the path that climbs to the left, overlooking the cistern. Reach a fork and take the path on the left. It is the narrower one. It climbs less steeply then, at a junction on the right that is not marked on the map, continue straight ahead on the small, stony single track. Then pass a junction on the right and keep going straight. Cross a path on the left and continue straight on the main path as it climbs. The path begins to curve to the left quite quickly. It runs along the mountainside with a rather dizzying view down below.

The path, still clearly marked in yellow and red, begins a steep descent over the rocks: take care. Not all the stones are stable, so there is a risk of slipping. You’ll reach a scree slope and a junction. There is a yellow arrow indicating a right turn.

(3) Follow this yellow marking by turning right and descending a slightly slippery section over stones. The path then returns to normal. Continuing downwards, you’ll cross a path and notice the yellow marking on the ground indicating a right turn.

(4) Head down to the right, taking care of fallen trees on the path. At a path branching off to the left, keep straight on the main path with the yellow markings. You will see a path on the left that is not shown on the map: continue down to the right.

(5) At the end of the descent, still following the yellow markings, take the path that turns left at the junction. This is an uphill path. At the fork that branches off to the left but is not marked on the map, continue along the main path which goes straight ahead, slightly to the right.

(6) At the slightly forked junction, take the path that climbs quite steeply to the right and is still clearly marked in yellow and red. Then follow immediately to the right before turning immediately left onto a path that is clearly marked in yellow. After that, the route becomes unclear again: keep slightly to the left, continuing to climb. The path becomes clearer and is clearly marked in yellow and red.

(7) At the cairn, take the single track climbing to the right. The markings have changed colour and are now sky blue throughout the final ascent and descent.

(8) Once you reach the ridge, take in the view, then continue down this main path, marked in sky blue. You’ll come to a fork not shown on the map, with the blue route heading left towards Boulevard Séverine (marked on the rock). Turn left and head down into the valley.

(9) At the junction, the sky-blue markings end and you return to the yellow markings. You’ll see a car park on the left; take a path on the right, heading back into the woods.

(5) At the junction from the outward journey, follow the yellow and red markings to the left. Return to the starting point by retracing your steps (S/E).

Suggested by: A.M.I.S Rando Aubagne & its team