A hike throughout Voire fountain and dead man summit

The trails are steep, but the efforts are rewarded with a sublime 360° panoramic view and the discovery of lesser-known places by hikers.

Access to the starting point of the hike is by a regular bus from the RTM (line 23). Get off at the "Sormiou shopping center" stop. After taking a few steps, turn right onto Boulevard Louis Pierotti. Continue straight until you reach a green barrier marking the beginning of a DFCI track. Go around it and continue straight following red markings that lead through the wooded valley of La Jarre. (1)

Until you reach the Voire Fountain. (2)

You begin your first ascent into a narrow gorge that opens up into a clearing shaped like a small circus.

Take a left and follow the yellow markings that lead you onto a path that climbs even more steeply. It skirts around a rocky ledge where two large openings can be seen. This is the Dechaux Cave. (3) Continue your ascent. At mid-height, your efforts are rewarded with a clear view of the Frioul archipelago, the beaches of Prado, Borély Park, the Orange Velodrome, and Notre-Dame de la Garde. Upon reaching the highest point of this climb, you enjoy a good view of the Cayolle district, the sewage treatment plant, and in the distance, Mont Puget and beyond, Mont Carpiagne. Not to mention further away, the Soubeyranes cliffs in Cassis. The route continues and takes you to the next steep section. At the intersection, turn right to stay on the yellow trail. You reach a height that still offers a beautiful view of the Cayolle and Panouse districts, and more generally over the entire eastern part of Marseille. Continuing on, the view opens up even more and allows you to identify landmarks such as Mont Puget, Grande Candelle, Devenson Cliffs, and far away, Cap Sicié.

You leave the height to weave between pine trees forming a refreshing undergrowth, where you come across a path marked by a green trace. Stay on the yellow trail which quickly climbs again and allows you to see the beginning of your hiking route, especially the steep path that skirts the Dechaux Cave.

The ultimate reward is not far now. The yellow trail joins the blue trail to take you to the western summit of the Dead Man's Plateau. (4) It's time to take out your sandwich from your backpack and take a break. The view is breathtaking. This time you have reached the roof of the Calanques. Do a 360-degree turn to sweep your surroundings. No summit can escape you: Garlaban, Mont Carpiagne, Mont Puget, Pic de Bertagne overlooking the Sainte-Baume massif in the distance (topped by a white dome housing a radar and radio station), Grande Candelle, the islands forming the Riou archipelago, and the Marseilleveyre summit. Leave the plateau following the blue markings. The hike takes you down a rocky ledge. In places, the limestone rock is smooth and gravel can make you slip in this tricky passage. Use your hands to descend cautiously.

A few meters before the Col de la Selle, in a wooded area, leave the blue trail to now follow the green markings which take you down to the right towards the Selle Woods. The next landmark will be a crossroads in the middle of the woods with several trails (black, red, green, and yellow). Continue your descent following the yellow and red markings. The red is the last color that brings you back to the starting point of this beautiful loop. So don't miss the last fork, where the yellow and red markings separate. A final small climb offers a beautiful overhanging view of the Frioul archipelago, the Pointe-Rouge port, the wooded areas of the Campagne Pastré, and notably the Pastré Castle. (5) A little further on, a wall may intrigue you. (6)

A quick glance at the Aigle mountain (located between the wall and the city). Pass between two cairns and continue your descent towards the Voire Fountain. Nice view of the Dechaux Cave and the cavern of the Voire Fountain. You find the beginning of the trail you took earlier. Take it back in reverse to finish the hike.

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