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Le Tour du Romaron
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Description
This 8km circuit starts from the Tourist Office and takes you through the hills of Carry-le-Rouet.
After walking along the bottom of the valley, you'll discover ancient caves that were still inhabited in the early 1900s. The orientation table gives you a wide view of the Chaîne de l'Etoile, the coastal massifs around Marseille and its islands, as far as the Phare de la Couronne lighthouse. You'll come across a number of pretty little sheds tended by local hunters. On the way back, you'll notice that in the valleys sheltered from the mistral, the pines are gradually taking their place again.
Technical Information
Altimetric profile
Starting point
Additional information
Updated by
Provence Tourisme - 12/06/2025
www.myprovence.fr/
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Open period
All year round.
Except in summer, from June 1 to September 30, when access to the massifs is prohibited.
For more information, call 0811 20 13 13.
Contact
Phone : 0811201313
Website :
www.myprovence.fr/ca-s-agite-dans-le-local/envie-de-balade
www.bouches-du-rhone.gouv.fr/actions-de-l-etat/agriculture-foret-et-developpement-rural/foret/acces-aux-massifs/acces-aux-massifs-forestiers-des-bouches-du-rhone2
Guidebook with maps/step-by-step
1. Go down the Route Bleue towards the Port. At the roundabout go up Avenue Aristide-Briand (RD5c). Opposite the boulodrome car park, take the chemin du Jas Vieux
Pass under the SNCF tunnel. Continue straight on.
2. Go through a barrier and, after the tunnel which passes under the expressway, turn right.
Go along the dual carriageway for 100m, take a path on your left and walk up the valley for 300m.
Turn right on the small path that climbs to 2 caves that form an owl's head. After visiting them, continue the ascent to reach the plateau. At the crossroads turn right to reach the orientation table.
3. Beautiful view from east to west: La Chaîne de l'Etoile - Marseille and the Iles du Frioul - Le Phare de Planier and that of La Couronne.
Continue along the main path and watch out for the signs which split 300m further on.
4. Leave the path on the right (alternative) and continue straight on to the next crossroads. Go down the small path on the right to the Réganas valley.
5. Leave the Réganas valley on the right and the path that rises opposite to take the left-hand path that goes into a valley. At the next crossroads turn right and go up the track.
6. Pass over a pretty little hut surrounded by greenery above a cultivated field, inviting you to rest and why not take a picnic break. Continue on the track north along a field to the next crossroads.
7. When you come to a fork in the road, ignore the path that climbs to the right. Continue into the Romaron plain. Go past a shed with the pretty name of "Pétoulier".
8. Then make a diversion to the right to see the ruins of an old sheepfold with the remains of beautiful vaults, signs of an important pastoral activity at one time in the region.
Return to the main path and turn left. Walk along an orchard, a small fenced shed and a well. Go around the property into a pine forest to the next junction with a gate on the left.
9. Go through the gate and progress down a fairly winding valley and after 900m reach a crossroads.
10. Turn right into the valley for about 200m. Watch out for the blue markings which go up to the left on a small path to join a small ridge from which another blue markings comes from the right.
11. Take a steep, stony path down into the valley. Admire the multitude of small pine trees that are coming back to life after the devastating fire of 2010. Continue downhill, ignoring the paths on the left and right, until you reach the next signpost.
12. Turn left down the valley to reach the tunnel which passes under the dual carriageway. Continue straight on to find your starting point.
