The Best Hike in the Calanques de Cassis – a Local’s Guide

This week, I’m offering you the best hike in the Calanques de Cassis, a little paradise in the south of France! I think that every time I walk these trails, I’m even more amazed than the last time… And when you see the photos, you’ll understand why!

So let me be your guide on this magnificent hike in the Calanques de Cassis, through the three calanques closest to the village – Port-Miou, Port-Pin, En-Vau – then on to the Route des Crêtes to explore Cap Canaille! Are you with me?

 

 

HIKE IN THE CALANQUES DE CASSIS – PRACTICAL INFORMATION

 

• How to get to Calanques de Cassis?

Cassis is located 30 minutes east of Marseille and 30 minutes west of Toulon (by car).

By train, Cassis station is 20 minutes from Marseille and 35 minutes from Toulon. Please note, however, that the station is more than 10 minutes by car (1 hour on foot) from the start of the hike in the Calanques de Cassis.

Compare car rentals to find the best price!

 

There is a parking lot for the Calanques located 10 minutes from the center of Cassis. You can also park for free outside of the high season (on Avenue Notre Dame in particular), but don’t count on finding a spot during the high season. You will then need to park at the Gorguettes park-and-ride lot and take a shuttle.

Find all the practical information you need on this website. Shuttle buses run every day in summer and on weekends and during school holidays in low season.

 

 

• Where to stay for your hike in the Calanques de Cassis?

Here are several suggestions for accommodation for your hike in the Calanques de Cassis !

Book your accommodation in the Calanques de Cassis!

 

3 places I recommend for your hike in the Calanques de Cassis

 

• How much time should you spend in Cassis?

Allow one day for the entire hike in the Calanques de Cassis to enjoy each calanque. The hike through the three calanques connects Port-Miou to En-Vau in about two hours. Allow the same amount of time for the return trip. However, if you stop at Port-Pin, it takes about 30 minutes between the first two calanques.

At the end of the day, you can then head to the Route des Crêtes, which takes less than an hour to walk (unless you stop to wait for the sunset!).

 

• Practical information for your hike in the Calanques de Cassis

The paths are very poorly marked (a few marks on the ground) and it is best to have a map with you. The trails are also marked on offline maps such as Maps.me, for example.

Be sure to bring good hiking gear: suitable shoes, water (the sun is strong!), food, and sunscreen.

In summer, the trails are not always accessible due to the risk of fire. Check this website before you go. In spring and fall, it’s best to go during the week if you can, to avoid the crowds. Please note that the path down to En-Vau is not accessible in rainy weather or if it has rained the day before, as it is too slippery! Take the “return” trail to access it.

You can also explore the calanques by boat for a different perspective! All the information you need is here.

     

 

HIKE IN THE CALANQUES DE CASSIS: FROM PORT-MIOU TO PORT-PIN

   

• Port-Miou

An essential stop on any hike in the Calanques de Cassis, Port-Miou is the calanque closest to Cassis. It is also the only one that is fully accessible to those who do not enjoy hiking. Wide and open, its emerald-colored basin is a long snake invaded by moored sailboats.

The small port is perfect for relaxing and admiring the comings and goings of happy day trippers. You can stroll along the pontoons beside the boats, or take the path overlooking the calanque, which offers unobstructed views of Cap Canaille in the background. Continue along the path to reach the second calanque, Port-Pin.

         

• Port-Pin

From Port-Miou, it will take you about half an hour to reach Port-Pin beach, the second stop on our hike through the calanques of Cassis. Surrounded by low cliffs, the beach offers maximum sunshine. So if you’re not too cold, you can even take a dip in the crystal-clear water in the spring!

The shades of blue at Port-Pin offer a heavenly setting for hikers and swimmers alike. After the emerald green of Port-Miou, you will now discover a clear, sparkling turquoise basin surrounded by deep ultramarine blue. Gain some height by walking a few minutes along the path that climbs up the other side of the calanque—the view is well worth the detour!

               

HIKE IN THE CALANQUES DE CASSIS: EN-VAU

   

• From Port-Pin to En-Vau

Let’s continue our hike in the Calanques de Cassis towards En-Vau. The path winds its way along the Caldeiron plateau, shaded by pine trees. On the ground, aromatic plants try to make their way through the white stones of the calanques and fill the air with their fragrance. This trail really allows you to immerse yourself in the beautiful Calanques National Park: it’s a complete change of scenery!

Although it is not the only trail leading to En-Vau, this route allows you to discover the entire En-Vau calanque, overlooking its steep cliffs that plunge into the Mediterranean Sea. En-Vau is undoubtedly my favorite calanque, thanks to its beach nestled in the heart of the calanques, but above all because of its imposing cliffs, which are reminiscent of Norwegian fjords.

         

• En-Vau, the magnificent calanque

Seen from above, you can see wild vegetation growing on its slopes, invading the gaps between the layers of rock. On the plateau, pine trees dominate the calanque and the sea. One of the most beautiful views is offered by a crack in the En-Vau cliff. This is the only place where you can see the sea on the other side of the cliff, with the Riou archipelago in the distance.

The descent to En-Vau is steep and the rocks are sometimes smooth and slippery, so it is best to wear good hiking shoes. Some sections are dangerous and even impassable if the rock is wet. But rest assured, the En-Vau cove is well worth the effort it takes to get there.

Nestled amid climbing cliffs, its secluded beach is the perfect spot for a nap or a few hours in paradise. Be warned, it’s very popular, especially on weekends! So don’t expect to be alone if you can’t go during the off-season.

       

• Return

You can then return via the same path, with a fairly difficult climb to reach the ridge from En-Vau. But you can also take the path that leads to another plateau further inland, which allows you to make a loop. Much wider and gently sloping, this path offers a splendid view of Cap Canaille as you descend towards Port-Miou. The cliffs overlooking Cassis turn orange in the early afternoon: it’s sublime!

           

TAKING ON THE ROUTE DES CRÊTES, BETWEEN CASSIS AND LA CIOTAT

   

Now head for the Route des Crêtes to gain a little height! This panoramic road winds along the cliffs between Cassis and La Ciotat, 15 kilometers further on. It’s perfect for admiring the sunset! And it also allows you to extend your hike in the Calanques de Cassis without getting tired! You can stop at the many parking areas to admire the panoramic views of the Calanques of Cassis.

       

At the very beginning of the road, you will discover the bay of Cassis from above and part of the orange cliffs of Cap Canaille. Popular with rock climbers, they glow red at sunset… Further on, in the evening light, you can make out the successive advances of the Calanques of Cassis into the Mediterranean, veritable tongues of land with jagged relief.

Some viewpoints allow you to appreciate the height of the cliffs you are standing on, which overlook the sea from a height of almost 400 meters! The cliffs of Cap Canaille are among the highest in Europe.

The road then turns away from the coast, offering splendid views of the hinterland, before finally arriving in La Ciotat.

       

HIKE IN THE CALANQUES DE CASSIS – WHAT TO DO IN THE SURROUNDING AREA ?

   

Calanques of Marseille (30 min): other magnificent calanques await you near Marseille, notably Sormiou and Sugiton, which are said to be among the most beautiful.

Marseille (30 min): capital of the Mediterranean, Marseille is a melting pot of history, cultures, and marine paradise. From the Old Port to Notre Dame de la Garde, from the Frioul Islands to the Panier district, there are a thousand things to discover in Marseille! Read my full article onWhat to See in Marseille in One Day ? 8 Must-See!

Aix-en-Provence (45 min): cultural capital of Provence, Aix-en-Provence is a very pleasant city to discover! It’s nice to stroll along the Cours Mirabeau and explore the surrounding mountains, such as Sainte Victoire, beloved by the painter Cézanne.

 

   

Coming soon on La Marinière en Voyage…

 

A quick trip to Brittany, a getaway to Lille, then on to the Atlantic coast… Many discoveries await you soon on the blog! So to make sure you don’t miss a thing, subscribe to the newsletter!

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