Zigzags between Le Rove and Gignac-La-Nerthe

An atypical route along the crests and valleys of the Estaque mountain range between Le Rove and Gignac-La-Nerthe. Along the way, you'll see the Vierge du Rove, the Chapelle St-Michel, the ruins of the Templar castle and the remains of the Camp de Laure. A varied landscape with beautiful views over the harbour of Marseille and the Étang de Berre.

Technical sheet

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 12.75 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 55 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 450 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 447 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 238 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 81 m

Photos

Description of the walk

At Le Rove on the D568, park in the Allée des Écoles near the pharmacy.

(S/E) Head west past the pharmacy, then turn right onto Boulevard de la Carrairade. Cross the Avenue Juliot Curie (D5) and follow the Traverse du Baou to the last houses.

(1) Turn right onto a stony path that climbs steeply. Keep to the right and you'll soon spot the Vierge du Rove. Go back and forth, then continue north-eastwards until you reach an H-shaped junction.

(2) Keep to the right, following the ridge. You will come to a crossroads with several paths, including the gas pipeline track (hill 238).

(3) Cross the track and head north-west towards Le Pérussier. Go through the hollow of a small valley (hill 218), then wind round a number of switchbacks on either side of a hill. The runway then becomes straight, with fine views of Gignac-La-Nerthe, Vitrolles and Marseille Provence airport. In the distance, the Sainte-Victoire massif. After a steep, winding asphalt descent, notice a large baume on the left. Near the A55 motorway and a star junction. The Chapelle Saint-Michel can be seen in the distance.

(4) Turn left, then about 180 m further on, keep left at a Y junction. The path climbs up and then immediately descends to the foot of the Vallon de la Gipière at an X junction.

(5) Turn left towards the Vallon de la Gipière. After about 120 m, you will come to a Y junction (82 m).

(6) Turn left, then right after about 700 m. The valley becomes wilder, with a few potholes and rocks that can be crossed without difficulty.

(7) Go straight on, pick up a track to the right and then follow the gas pipeline track to the right. You will come to a steep climb.

(8) Leave the track and continue right along a narrow path that climbs. After a flat section, turn right, heading north-west, and descend just as steeply towards a long ploughed field. Keep to the right and enter a new valley.

(9) The path through this stony valley is easy. You can see the Chapelle Saint-Michel. Pass a large water reservoir, then about 120 m further down, come to a crossroads with a path.

(10) Turn left onto this path, which leads up to the Chapelle Saint-Michel. Visit the site. A few metres to the north, you will come across the ruins of the Templar castle. Descend to the left of the chapel, then come to a junction of 3 tracks.

(11) Follow the one in the middle, heading south. The track becomes tarmac on the uphill section, taking a few bends before reaching a fork near the high-voltage power line.

(12) Do not go under the power line, leave the track and keep to the right, heading west towards Camp de Laure.

(13) At the fork in the road, keep to the right and visit the site. Only a few stones remain from the ancient prehistoric dwellings.

(14) Make a U-turn at a fire station. Be very careful during the hunting season.

(13) Turn right to find the track heading south-east. Note the many plantations. Arrive at a Y junction (hill 157).

(15) Go right and about 200 m further on, keep left and go up the3rd valley on a wide track. You will come to a Y junction.

(16) Turn left and head up the valley until you find the gas pipeline track.

(17) Turn left onto the track and walk for about 100 m. Mark a small path on the right.

(18) Leave the track and follow this path, which climbs steeply and then immediately descends, looping around to the left. Find a wide track to the left, then come to a Y junction and barriers.

(19) Continue to the right, passing a water tank and following the ridge back to the same crossroads as before.

(2) Turn right and follow the opposite path until you reach Allée des Écoles (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 139 m
  2. 1 : km 0.36 - alt. 166 m - Stony path - Right
  3. 2 : km 0.63 - alt. 190 m - Common H-shaped junction
  4. 3 : km 1.41 - alt. 238 m - Elevation 238 - Multi-path junction
  5. 4 : km 3.67 - alt. 113 m - Star-shaped intersection - Left
  6. 5 : km 4.05 - alt. 85 m - Valley - Left
  7. 6 : km 4.17 - alt. 85 m - Cote 82 - Y-junction - Left
  8. 7 : km 5.56 - alt. 161 m - Crossroads - Straight ahead
  9. 8 : km 5.94 - alt. 199 m - Path on the right
  10. 9 : km 6.55 - alt. 197 m - Another valley
  11. 10 : km 7.62 - alt. 87 m - Crossing - Left
  12. 11 : km 8.05 - alt. 96 m - 3 Tracks - Opposite
  13. 12 : km 8.58 - alt. 148 m - Path on the right
  14. 13 : km 8.65 - alt. 148 m - Fork in the road. Return to Camp de Laure.
  15. 14 : km 9.66 - alt. 157 m - Y-junction - Right
  16. 15 : km 10.24 - alt. 139 m - Y-junction - Left
  17. 16 : km 11.03 - alt. 206 m - Gas track - Right
  18. 17 : km 11.13 - alt. 218 m - Path - Right
  19. 18 : km 11.6 - alt. 202 m - Y-junction - Right
  20. S/E : km 12.75 - alt. 139 m - Allée des Écoles

Practical information

As an indication: duration of the author for this route 4h00 (breaks deducted).

The gas pipeline track is often found on this route. It follows the topography in a straight line, with ascents and descents that are sometimes very steep and, above all, slippery. Favour small parallel paths wherever possible, as in (8) or (18). The section between (16) and (17) leaves the initial valley to avoid the track with a very slippery descent 200 m upstream.

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The GPS track and description are the property of the author. Do not copy them without permission.