Calanques Hike, from Marseille to Cassis

France, discover this 7-day trip

Trip Description

Calanques of the Estaque, Blue Coast, Sormiou, Morgiou and Sugiton, for a superb hike in the Calanques between Marseille and Cassis. The Calanques, the Estaque, the Blue Coast, the Ciotat… who did not dream to travel through these spaces with magical names in the heart of Provence, between the mountains and the sea. These places that Simone de Beauvoir wrote: «Both wild and easy to access, nature around Marseille offers the modest walker sparkling secrets». The Blue Coast extends west of Marseille at the foot of the Nerthe chain. The name "Blue Coast" refers to the colour of the water that surrounds the massif. Less famous and less spectacular than the Calanques, these small coves are also limestone Calanques. Departing from Marseille, we will travel along its coastline, which has remained partly wild. Ancient quarries, Gallic oppida and Neolithic habitats of the plateaus will also complement our hikes. No road follows the coast where the rocks drop down into the sea, leaving hardly the place for the small harbours nestled in their creeks. But a railway was built at the very beginning of the twentieth century, and tries to cling to the rocks of the seaside!

Accomodation

No accomodation information available

Stay program

day 1:
Marseille
Welcome at 3 pm at the meeting point of the Saint Charles train station in Marseille. Installation at the hotel **. Visit of the city and the Old Port. Dinner at the restaurant. Accommodation: Hotel** Meals included: dinner. Meals not included: breakfast - lunch.
day 2:
Frioul Islands - Marseille
Short crossing to the Port of Frioul. Hiking, setting in legs on the Pomègues Island and its numerous creeks and on the Ratonneau Island with its strange ruins of the Caroline hospital and its chapel built on the model of a Greek temple. Many swimming opportunities. Dinner at the restaurant. Walking time: about 4 hours. Positive drop: + 300 m. Accommodation: hotel**. Meals included: breakfast - lunch - dinner.
day 3:
The Estaque Creeks et Blue Coast
Transfer by the small train from the Blue Coast to the Redonne. Return on foot by the coast to the village of Niolon, in blue azur colours. Dinner at the restaurant. Walking time: 5 hours 30 approx. Positive drop: + 500 m. Accommodation: hotel**. Meals included: breakfast - lunch - dinner.
day 4:
Sormiou Creeks, Morgiou and Sugiton - Cassis
At the Marseille’s gates, a circuit, among the lilacs of Spain and the multiflored heather, offering exceptional views over the whole massif of the Calanques and adorable small ports with turquoise waters and beaches of fine sand or pebble. Transfer to Cassis and check in at the hotel. Walking time: about 5 hours. Positive drop: + 700 m. Accommodation: hotel**. Meals included: breakfast - lunch - dinner.
day 5:
Port Miou - Port Pin and En Vau - Cassis
From the harbour of Cassis, we head towards the Creek of Port-Miou, then that of Port-Pin and finally En-Vau, dominated by the «Finger of God». A magical walk to the most famous creeks with deep notches and vertiginous needles. Dinner at the restaurant. Walking time: about 4 hours. Positive drop: + 600 m. Accommodation: hotel**. Meals included: breakfast - lunch - dinner.
day 6:
Devenson Cliffs - Cassis
By the Crete of the Estret, the Mont Puget, the highest peak of the Calanques (564m), the Gros Cape and the Escaliers, we reach the Grande Candelle before walking along a good path the vertiginous cliffs of the Devenson, offering grandiose views. Overnight in hotel** . Dinner in restaurant. Walking time: 5 hours 30 approx. Positive drop: + 700 m. Accommodation: hotel**. Meals included: breakfast - lunch - dinner.
day 7:
Cassis - Canaille Cape - Marseille - End of stay
Hike from Cassis to La Ciotat by the path of the Cretes on the highest cliffs of France, by the Pas de la Colle, the Canaille Cape and the semaphore of the Eagle Beak. Separation around 3.30 pm in Ciotat station. Train to Marseille. Walking time: about 4 hours. Positive drop: + 500 m. Meals included: breakfast - lunch. Meals not included: dinner.