Garlaban Hiking Festival: routes and tips

Every spring, the Garlaban massif hosts one of the finest hiking festivals in the south of France. Held in Aubagne, just outside Marseille, this event offers dozens of trails for all levels. As a campsite just a stone’s throw from Marseille, You Camp Marseille is here to share the essentials for making the most of this event. Trails, programme, equipment: follow the guide!

Key points to remember

The Pays d’Aubagne et de l’Etoile Hiking Festival has been running since 2009 and takes place over several days every spring.
The Garlaban massif rises to 714 metres and offers 12 official hiking trails suitable for all levels.
The festival offers a variety of themed tours: nature, heritage, evening, food and culture.
The Font de Mai estate, at the foot of Garlaban, is the main starting point for the trails.
Registration can be done online or at the Pays d’Aubagne Intercommunal Tourist Office.

What is the Pays d’Aubagne Hiking Festival?

The Pays d’Aubagne et de l’Etoile Hiking Festival is an event that has been organised since 2009 by the Inter-municipal Tourist Office. It is held in partnership with local hiking associations and the Bouches-du-Rhône Departmental Hiking Committee. Each year, the event invites walkers to explore the region, with the Garlaban massif as the main venue.

The programme varies from year to year and offers a range of different courses:

The nature trails wind through the Provençal scrubland, amongst the thyme, sage and rosemary.
These heritage walks trace the local history, particularly following in the footsteps of Marcel Pagnol.
Gourmet walks combine walking with tastings of local produce.
Evening walks offer a unique atmosphere as the sun sets over the ridges.

The standard price is €4 per hike. Evening walks are available for €8. You can book online via the Tourist Office website or in person at 8 Cours Barthélémy in Aubagne.

A tip from the You Camp Marseille team: book your walks as soon as registration opens. The most popular routes, such as the night walk and the foodie walk, fill up very quickly.

What trails are there to explore in the heart of Garlaban?

The Garlaban massif covers around 8,000 hectares of limestone hills. Its summit rises to an altitude of 714 metres and offers a 360-degree panoramic view of Marseille, Aubagne and the Etoile massif. Several signposted trails start from the Font de Mai estate, a 100-hectare site planted with olive and pine trees.

Route	Distance	Elevation gain	Duration	Level
Font de Mai Loop (short)	3 km	Low	1h30	Easy
Summit of Garlaban via Font de Mai	12 km	594 m	4h30	Medium
The Garlaban Grand Loop	16,5 km	684 m	7h	Difficult
Marcel Pagnol Trail	8 km	Moderate	3h	Medium

For families, the short 3 km loop presents no technical difficulties. It is suitable for children and takes around 1½ hours to complete. Experienced hikers will prefer the climb to the summit, which involves a 594-metre ascent over 12 km. The Marcel Pagnol trail, meanwhile, winds through the natural landscapes featured in the writer’s stories, between scrubland and shady valleys. It is one of the most popular routes during the hiking festival.

How can you best prepare for a hiking festival?

Proper preparation ensures an enjoyable experience on the Garlaban trails. The Provençal climate is sunny, but the limestone hills offer little shade. Here are the key points to bear in mind before you set off.

Equipment: a well-worn pair of walking boots is essential. Bring a 20–30-litre rucksack to carry a windproof jacket, a cap and sun cream.

Hydration: allow between 1.5 and 2 litres of water per person. Take small sips every 20 minutes, without waiting until you feel thirsty.

Choosing a route: tailor the distance and elevation gain to your fitness level. If you’re a beginner, the short Font de Mai loop is perfect for your first outing.

Enjoying the festival is also an opportunity to discover Provence from a different perspective: its footpaths, the scents of the garrigue and its panoramic views of the Mediterranean.

Are you looking for somewhere to stay whilst taking part in the Garlaban Hiking Festival? Located in Aubagne, at the foot of the mountains, You Camp Marseille welcomes you to a beautiful, unspoilt natural setting. Book your stay and set off to explore the region’s most stunning trails!

FAQ — Hiking Festival

Is the Garlaban Hiking Festival suitable for families?

Absolutely. The Pays d’Aubagne Hiking Festival offers routes for all levels, including families with children. The short Font de Mai loop, which is 3 km long, presents no technical difficulties and takes around 1½ hours to complete.

How do I register for the hiking festival?

Registration for the hiking festival can be done online via the Pays d’Aubagne Intercommunal Tourist Office website. You can also register in person at 8 Cours Barthélémy in Aubagne, or by telephone on 04 42 03 49 98.

When does the Garlaban Hiking Festival take place?

The Pays d’Aubagne et de l’Etoile Hiking Festival takes place every spring, usually in May. The event runs over several days and offers dozens of themed walks in the Garlaban massif.

Do you need to be an experienced hiker to take part?

No, the walking festival welcomes both beginners and experienced walkers. The routes range from 3 km to over 16 km, with elevation gains suited to every level. Simply choose a route that matches your fitness level.

Where can I park to access the Garlaban trails?

The Font de Mai estate has a free car park with around 50 spaces. It is accessible from the RD 44, halfway between Aubagne and Eoures. This car park is the main starting point for the trails in the Garlaban massif.

Sources :

Pays d’Aubagne et de l’Etoile Hiking Festival, Inter-municipal Tourist Office: https://www.tourisme-paysdaubagne.fr
Marseille Tourism, hiking in the Garlaban massif: https://www.marseille-tourisme.com/en/discover-marseille/nature/hiking/hiking-in-the-massif-de-letoile/hiking-in-the-garlaban-massif/