The Castellas de Roquemartine, the Crête du Defens, and the Grottes de Calès caves

Description

(S) Park in the St. Denis spring car park. Continue west where the small paved road becomes a dirt road, passing by all the trails right and left. It runs through a pine and oak wood and along the vineyards.

(1) Cross the D72 and then take a trail opposite that passes in areas of mazets (small, rural, single-room buildings). After a wide right turn, the road continues west along a large cypress hedge to arrive at a crossing.

(2) Continue straight through the ruins. On maps it says ‘’Ruines de Notre-Dame'', but it seems they are on private property. From here one can see the beautiful Castellas Roquemartine to continue in its direction. Pass by a path on the left and continue to the right to get around the rocky outcrop, ignoring a path off to the right.

(3) At the place called "Mas Blanc", at the junction with a road coming from the right, follow the tracks that go left towards the castle. On the way to the castle you can see an amazing ruined tower on the left, which is an old pigeon loft that is worth a look. Continue up to Le Castellas.
‘’Warning: the ruins of the Castellas in danger of collapsing, approach it at your own risk, and it is strongly advised not to stay near the walls and avoid entering the older parts, no matter how sturdy they appear''.

(4) From the castle, turn left, southbound, ignoring two trails to the left and one to the right. Then continue on to the ridge, to the south-east. Find and take a marked trail on the right to reach the D72 road.

(5) Take the road to the right for about 150 m, to find the GR6 on the left, which leads to caves of Calès. Stay on the main trail ignoring all other paths. After about 1 km, this wide trail turns right and begins the climb to the Plateau du Defens, which offers a nice view of Eyguières, Salon-de-Provence and the Etang de Berre.

(6) Continue left on the GR6 (whose markings are not always easy to spot...). Before passing under a power line, pass by a track on the left and continue the path that goes down to the caves of Calès.

(7) At the first tank, continue straight passing by the path that leads to the right. The trail branches off to the left, after approximately 300 m. Then there is a second tank before a wide right turn that leads to the third tank.

(8) Continue on the GR6 to the left to get around the site of Calès. Several options are available to visit the site of ancient cave dwellings. Go right to the southern entrance where a stone staircase leads to the right on a plaza with a statue of the Virgin which overlooks the site.

(9) Go back down and continue visiting the caves. Cross the vast esplanade, pass next to a small forum and then continue a path towards the north by crossing a wall, leading down a few steps and to the Roman chapel of Saint-Denis.

(10) Continue the path to the north, and pass by the paths on the right and left to find the parking area about 400 m further on.