Cirque des Péletins and Col de la Candelle

From the Col de la Gardiole, a circular route of about 15 kilometres takes you to the preserved site of the Cirque des Péletins and the much better known site of the Col de la Candelle.

You are in the Calanques National Park, which is subject to specific regulations. Failure to comply with these regulations may result in a fine of up to €1,500.

Details

n°549974

Creation:
17 Apr 2017

Last update:
01 Feb 2024

Last review:
27 Oct 2025

Activity: Walking
Distance: 13.91 km
Average duration: 6h 00
Difficulty: Moderate
Back to start: Yes
Ascent: + 709 m
Descent: - 715 m
Highest point: 525 m
Lowest point: 76 m

Country: France
Area: Calanques of Marseille and Cassis
District: Marseille (13000)
Start/End: N 43.22739° / E 5.50366°
IGN map(s): Ref. 3145ET
Hour-by-hour weather

Avalanche risk assessment bulletin

Discover Visorando Premium

Downloads

Open in the mobile app

Download GPX GPX

Download PDF PDF

Photos

Description of the walk

Start from Col de la Gardiole, at the end of the road that climbs from the D559.

(S/E) Head west on the track that climbs towards Crête de l'Estret.

(1) After passing a cistern, at a fork where three paths separate, take the unmarked path that starts furthest to the left.

(2) When this path curves sharply to the left, take a mule track on the right, which is not very marked at first but soon becomes clear and unambiguous.

(3) Initially level, the path then begins a winding descent. As soon as a path branches off to the right, continuing horizontally, follow this path.

(4) After going around a rocky ridge and several more winding descents, the trail reaches an unmarked fork.

(5) At this fork, located at the entrance to the Cirque des Péletins, take the path on the right, which climbs uphill. Follow the path on the right as it curves to the left.

(6) After a slightly tricky section, the trail joins the Crête de l'Estret track. Follow this westwards, ignoring all turnings to the right and left.
.
(7) Leave the track and turn right, heading west towards Mont Puget.

(8) Cairns mark the way to Col de la Candelle, which is also indicated by a painted sign on a large rock at an intersection. Continue south.

(9) At Col de la Candelle, descend the path to the left.

(10) When you reach Val Vierge, climb back up to the^GR®. Do not attempt to descend towards the Calanque de l'Œil de Verre (this path must be climbed: descending it is dangerous!)^.

(11) Follow the^GR® eastwards to Vallon d'En-Vau, first passing Col des Charbonniers, then skirting the Falaises du Devenson and Col, and crossing Vallon des Chaudronniers.

(12) At the Col de L'Oule, continue on the^GR® which makes a hairpin bend.

(12) Describe the instructions from the waypoint here.

(13) Head north up the Vallon d'En-Vau to the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

S/E : km 0 - alt. 262 m - Col de la Gardiole (258m)
1 : km 0.73 - alt. 298 m - The path furthest to the left.
2 : km 0.93 - alt. 300 m - Mule track on the right.
3 : km 2.48 - alt. 272 m - Path on the right
4 : km 3.14 - alt. 247 m - At the fork, take the path on the right.
5 : km 3.96 - alt. 388 m - At the fork, take the path on the right.
6 : km 4.16 - alt. 433 m - Track on the left
7 : km 5.58 - alt. 524 m - Path on the right
8 : km 5.72 - alt. 523 m - At the cairn, on the left
9 : km 6.64 - alt. 425 m - Col de la Candelle (400m)
10 : km 7.06 - alt. 342 m - Val Vierge
11 : km 7.12 - alt. 371 m - GR on the right
12 : km 10.18 - alt. 175 m - Col de l'Oule (174m)
13 : km 10.85 - alt. 76 m - Track on the left
S/E : km 13.9 - alt. 262 m - Gardiole - Col de la Gardiole

Notes

There is no water along the route. The Crête de l'Estret trail is very exposed to the Mistral wind. From points (1) to (6), the trails are well marked but very little used.

Worth a visit

Enjoy the tranquillity of the first part of the route and the magnificent views of Val-Vierge in the second part. The climb back up to the car park is not the most interesting part of the trail...

Reviews and comments

4.1 / 5

Based on 9 reviews

Reliability of the description
3.9 / 5

Ease of following the route
3.6 / 5

Route interest
4.8 / 5

Laetitia S

27 Oct 2025 at 18:10 3600

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 27, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Lovely walk with beautiful panoramic views

Machine-translated

bernardSalon

20 Aug 2023 at 11:33 7200

Is this hike suitable for a small dog (miniature pinscher) that is used to hiking? Thank you.

Machine-translated

phijol

08 May 2023 at 08:28 7200

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 08, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The Gardiole car park, the starting point for the hike, is now closed to cars.
You must therefore start from the Gineste road.
Free parking.
This adds 4 km to the hike.

Machine-translated

SHERMAN69

08 Feb 2023 at 09:51 3600

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 08, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Route taken on a Sunday in February in very good weather.

Reminder: access to the Col de la Gardiole car park (near the entrance to the Carpiagne military base) is no longer possible as it is located in the protected park. You must park along the Route de la Gineste, but the area is not suitable for large numbers of vehicles. You may find yourself stuck. It is better to park opposite. Then take the red path that leads to the old car park (allow an extra 15-20 minutes' walk and therefore a few extra kilometres on the proposed distance).

The climb up to the Cirque des Péletins is well worth the effort, as is the descent to Candelle and the Devenson cliffs. This route is only suitable for hikers who are used to scree and strenuous exercise. Flip-flops, trainers and sarongs are not recommended. Bring water with you as there are no water sources along the way. In the section before the cirque, the path is not clearly marked, so take care.

Machine-translated

Elkbreth

26 Aug 2022 at 09:04 7200

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 26, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Magnificent landscapes, superb route.
Bring 3 litres of water per person in summer.
Good physical condition required, and follow the route with the app as the instructions are not always sufficient.
Given the distance and elevation gain, this hike is rated between Moderate and Difficult.

Machine-translated

sc33bcbr

22 Oct 2021 at 21:23 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 22, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We walked for about six hours without really dawdling.
The scenery is magnificent. The trails alternate between single tracks and wider paths.
The section after the Cirque des Pételins, which joins the Crête de l'Estret, is the steepest. (Not to be attempted after a meal.)

PLEASE NOTE: The starting point (Gardiole car park) is not accessible by car. Park on the Route de la Gineste, which adds a good hour to the hike as well as some elevation gain.

Our measurements for the day:
19km with 910m of elevation gain, mistral wind (NW 50km/h)

Note that we added a good hundred metres of elevation gain after I made a mistake in navigation.

I recommend this hike, but my advice is to be in good physical condition and bring plenty of water.

Machine-translated

Malochet

21 Jul 2020 at 07:54 7200

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 24, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : Not used / Not applicable
Very busy route : No

Unfortunately, without an IGN map, we got lost. It was very hot, and when we met the park rangers, they told us that given the time of day, the Cirque des Pelletins would be like an oven. Too bad, we'll have to save it for next time.

Machine-translated

avid

23 Feb 2018 at 18:48 3600 • Edited: 24 Feb 2018 at 09:12 3600

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 23, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very beautiful route, quite physically demanding. Superb landscapes and views throughout. Make sure you wear good shoes, as the rocks in the coves are very sharp , and bring a good bottle of water, even in winter! Not recommended during periods of high heat, as it can quickly become like an oven, especially the first part of the route, which is between the cliffs with no breeze.
The route takes just under 4 hours, including breaks.
Video Relive of the hike to get an idea of where it goes:
https://www.relive.cc/view/1422140760

Machine-translated

reva

19 Feb 2018 at 11:01 3600

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 18, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A route that is well worth doing, even in mistral weather. Exceptional views along most of the route. It can be a bit tricky to follow the route if you don't know the area. Thank you for this walk.

Machine-translated

loulouasb

12 Dec 2017 at 15:56 3600

hike not completed due to bad weather, but worth doing

Machine-translated

Other walks in the area

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.

Author

Sardon83
1 Walk

Visorando member

Machine-translated walk - Original version

Walk map

Bigger map and chart