Visit the Fauconnière and Saut valleys

The hike starts on the Saint-Julien side, via the Chemin de Vatrède, shortly after the junction with the Chemin de Beaumenière, near the goat farm in Les Tourels.

(S/E) With your back to the vineyards, turn right onto Chemin de Valtrède heading east. After about 100 metres, leave this track on the left and follow a path that climbs gently. Continue for about 400 metres until you reach a crossroads.

(1) Take the path on the left that follows the valley, heading north at first, then gradually turning east. This path climbs quite steeply until it reaches a pass (elevation 175). Ignore the paths branching off to either side and continue downhill into a small valley, heading southeast until you reach a three-way junction near the quarry.

(2) Ignore the path that climbs to the left and continue downhill to the right until you reach the GRP®2013 Marseille Provence Métropole trail. Continue climbing to the left on the GRP® trail, following the Vallon de Maximin to the top, until you reach a junction with a larger trail.

(3) Follow this wide trail to the left, heading north-west, until you reach a corner of the quarry.

(4) Take the path on the right that descends north-northeast into the Vallon de Fauconnière. Proceed with caution on this section, which is the most difficult part of the hike with a very steep descent over scree. After about a hundred metres, to avoid a very steep section, take a path on the right and rejoin the valley a little further on. Don't hesitate to make a small circular loop to the right to enjoy a beautiful view of the climbing cliffs, then continue the descent to the power line.

(5) Turn right and follow the power line towards the east-southeast. When you reach a property, take the path on the left to rejoin a track, then the Ancienne Route de Martigues.

(6) Follow it for about a hundred metres before climbing up the path on the right, under the power line. Head left to the car park at the bottom of Vallon du Saut.

(7) Take the Chemin du Vallon du Saut on the right, which climbs southwards. Note the climbing sites, needles, a pierced rock, etc. Reach the crossroads at the top of the hill.

(8) Turn left, heading east towards "Valtrède par Canton". The path makes a wide circular loop to the left on the plateau, then turns sharply to the right (elevation 190). Enjoy the beautiful views to the south of the Berre and Bolmon ponds and, in good weather, the mountains of Provence. Continue straight ahead until you reach a multiple junction near a telecommunications pylon.

(9) Turn onto the wide track on the right, continue for about 100 metres, then take the path that descends to the left. Follow the valley downhill, ignoring the paths leading off to the right, and at the bottom, join the wide Piste de Valtrède. Follow it to the left for about 50 metres until you reach a path that climbs to the right.

(10) Follow this path until you reach a wide track.

(11) Follow it to the right, heading north-west, then west, until you reach a small road (Route de Beaumenière).

(12) Take this road to the right, heading northwest, until you reach Chemin de Valtrède and the car park on the right (S/E).

There are no water sources along the route. You may be lucky enough to encounter wild goats.

Please note that, as this is a circular route, you can also start from the car park at the bottom of the Vallon du Saut valley, on the Châteauneuf-les-Martigues side.

(10) You can shorten the route by following the Vallon de Valtrède trail on the right to return to the starting point.