A hike throughout Voire fountain and dead man summit

This challenging hike allows you to discover several sites such as the Voire Fountain, the Dechaux Cave, the summit of the Dead Man's Plateau, and the Selle Woods.

The trails are steep, but the effort is rewarded by sublime 360° panoramic views and the discovery of places less well known to hikers.

Access to the starting point is via a regular RTM bus (line 23). Get off at the "Centre commercial Sormiou" stop. After a few steps, turn right onto Boulevard Louis Pierotti. Walk straight ahead until you reach a green barrier marking the start of a DFCI track. Go around it and keep going straight ahead, following the red markings that take you through the wooded La Jarre valley (1).
Continue until you reach the Voire fountain (2).

Your first ascent takes you through a narrow gorge into a clearing in the shape of a small cirque.

Turn left and follow the yellow markings onto a path that climbs even more steeply. It skirts a rocky bar on which two large openings can be seen. This is the Dechaux cave (3).

Continue your ascent. Halfway up, your efforts are rewarded by an unobstructed view of the Frioul archipelago, the Prado beaches, Parc Borély, the Velodrome Stadium and Notre-Dame de la Garde. As you reach the highest point of the climb, you'll have a good view of the Cayolle district, the wastewater treatment plant, and in the distance Mont Puget and beyond to Mont Carpiagne. And even further away, the Soubeyranes cliffs at Cassis. The route continues and takes you to the next steep incline. At the crossroads, turn right, staying on the yellow path. You'll reach a height that still offers a fine view of the Cayolle and Panouse districts, and more generally of the whole of eastern Marseille. As you continue, the view becomes even clearer, allowing you to see Mont Puget, Grande Candelle, the Devenson cliffs and, in the distance, Cap Sicié.

You leave the high ground to slalom between pine trees, forming a refreshing undergrowth in which you come across a path marked by a green trail. Stay on the yellow trail, which quickly climbs back up to reveal the start of your hiking route, including the steep path around the Dechaux cave.

The ultimate reward is not far off. The yellow path joins the blue path to take you to the western summit of the Dead Man's Plateau (4).
Now's the time to get your sandwich out of your rucksack and take a break. The view is breathtaking. This time you've reached the roof of the Calanques. Do a 360 to scan your surroundings. There's not a peak you won't see: the Garlaban, Mont Carpiagne, Mont Puget, the Pic de Bertagne dominating the Sainte-Baume massif in the distance (topped by a white dome housing a radar and radio station), the Grande Candelle, the islands that make up the Riou archipelago and the summit of Marseilleveyre. Leave the plateau following the blue markings. The hike takes you down a rocky spur. In places, the limestone is smooth and gravel can cause you to slip on this tricky passage. Use your hands to descend carefully.

A few metres before the Col de la Selle, in an area planted with trees, leave the blue path and follow the green markings which take you down to the right towards the Bois de la Selle. The next landmark will be a crossroads in the middle of the wood for several trails (black, red, green and yellow). Continue downhill, following the yellow and red markers. Red is the last color to take you back to the starting point of this beautiful loop. Don't miss the last fork, where the yellow and red marks separate. A final short climb offers a beautiful overhanging view of the Frioul archipelago, the Pointe-Rouge harbour, the wooded areas of the Campagne Pastré and, in particular, the Château Pastré (5).
A little further on, a wall may intrigue you (6).
Take a look at Montagne de l'Aigle (located between the wall and the town). Pass between two cairns and continue your descent towards the Voire fountain. Beautiful view of the Dechaux cave and the Voire fountain balsam. You'll find the start of the path you took earlier. Return in the opposite direction to complete the hike.