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Martigues’ vineyard trails - The Venice Provençale’s trails

Sport, Pedestrian sports, Hiking itinerary in Martigues
18.4 km
4h 30min
Hard
  • Between the Mediterranean and Etang de Berre, on the western borders of the Nerthe massif, lies the terroir of Venice Provençale.

  • This panoramic loop is the largest loop of the winegrowers' trails. In addition to discovering the fields and vineyards located on the land of the Saint-Julien-les-Martigues wine cellar, you will reach the village of Saint-Pierre-les-Martigues to discover its church and its oppidum. On your way, you will discover ruins of the past, cultural heritage and a panoramic view between sea and industrialization on the Col de la Gatasse.

    1 – From Saint Julien’s winery, take the D 5 road on your...
    This panoramic loop is the largest loop of the winegrowers' trails. In addition to discovering the fields and vineyards located on the land of the Saint-Julien-les-Martigues wine cellar, you will reach the village of Saint-Pierre-les-Martigues to discover its church and its oppidum. On your way, you will discover ruins of the past, cultural heritage and a panoramic view between sea and industrialization on the Col de la Gatasse.

    1 – From Saint Julien’s winery, take the D 5 road on your left (road to Sausset).
    2 – After 0.3 miles, at the traffic light, turn right in the Chemin des Jardins. Stay on the right. Go to the Chemin des Jourdans. At the street lamp, turn left between the vineyards and up to the houses. Turn right, follow the trail overhanging the vineyards up to an ancient farmhouse. Round the construction by walking on the left (threshing yard).
    3 – Go up the path on the left.
    4 – Keep the PR? (yellow and blue) on the left. Walk on the right past the watchtower. Keep on following the plateau trail straight ahead to reach the Gatasse pass (pylon).
    5 – Cross the D 49 (carefully!). Go down on the right towards the ancient road. At the hairpin bend (CB 47 sign), turn left. When arrived to the Gatasse, bifurcate to the right until you see a cittern. On the right, follow the stony path and reach a ruin (ancient sheepfold). After a great (open) grilled gate, turn right. The trail follows the hamlet and reaches the Chemin des Gides.
    6 – At the intersection, go left, for 0.1 mile, in the Rue Abbé Villard. When you reach number 10, on your left, take the stairs to access the church (remnants of an oppidum). Go around the building, following the graveyard.
    7 – Go down to the Rue des Tilleuls on the left, until you get to the roundabout. Right across, follow the D 49a for 0.4 miles. On the left, take the trail (0.4 miles).
    8 – At the crossroad, go left, keeping the power line on your left. Reach the electric pylon.
    9 – Keep the pylon on your right. Go along the ancient mills by the left and go down until you reach the D 5.
    10 – Cross the road at the pass (carefully!), (signpost CB 30). Take the path that goes up to the plateau.
    11 – Go back to the GR ® 2013 that comes from the left and follow it straight ahead. At the following intersection, follow a hairpin bend and go down
    into the glen. Walk along the vineyards.
    12 – Turn on the left. Follow the road on 0.4 miles. Follow
    the panoramic trail path from point (15).
  • Departure
    Martigues
  • Difference in height
    342 m
  • This path was impacted by the fire of August 04, 2020, it remains however passable except for these parts:
    - Between Saint-Julien and Gatasse (point 4)
    - The Ventrons forest track (point 9 to 12)
    Traffic inside the areas destroyed by the fire (excluding highways) remains prohibited until further notice.

    Access condition: Between June 1 and September 30, access to forest areas is regulated by prefectural decree and may be by municipal decree, for your safety and the preservation of sensitive sites. Before you follow your “stroll desires”, call 0811 20 13 13. Each day, you will be able to find out whether the site where you want to walk is free access all day, open only in the morning, or completely closed. Depending on the weather conditions, the “forest fire” danger level (orange-red-black) is known no later than 6 pm for the next day.
  • Plain text period
    All year round.

    Subject to favorable weather.
  • Environment
    • In the country
    • Village 2 km away
    • Close to GR footpath
    • Presence of livestock and guard dogs
  • Spoken languages
    • French
  • Documentation
    GPX / KML files allow you to export the trail of your hike to your GPS (or other navigation tool)
342 meters of difference in height
  • Maximum altitude : 165 m
  • Minimum altitude : 29 m
  • Total positive elevation : 342 m
  • Total negative elevation : -342 m
  • Max positive elevation : 88 m
  • Min positive elevation : -115 m
Services
  • Equipment
    • Car park
    • Free car park
  • Services
    • Pets welcome
    • Coach access
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