The Calanque d'En-Vau from the Col de la Gardiole

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This is a short, beautiful hike that descends to the Calanque d'En-Vau, avoiding the main access route, which is very busy. There are no particular difficulties, except perhaps the descent into the calanque valley, which is a little steep and stony.

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°637582
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.76 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 55 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 258 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 258 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 259 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1 m
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Photos

Hike to the Calanque d'En Vau
The scrubland of the Col de la Gardiole
The Calanque d'En-Vau
The Col de la Gardiole

Description of the walk

Park in the Col de la Gardiole car park, which can be reached via a small road off the D559.

(S/E) To start the hike, follow the forest road from the car park (on your left when facing south, towards the sea).

(1) After a few hundred metres, turn right onto a small path that descends into the heath. Continue straight ahead on this path to rejoin the forest road.

(2) Follow it, turning right, until you reach a fork.

(3) Turn right to go around the Fontasse youth hostel.

(4) A few metres before a cistern, turn right onto the small path that starts from the forest road.

(5) At the small cairn, turn left onto the path that descends through the heath towards the En-Vau valley and join the main access path.

(6) Follow this path to the left and you will arrive at the beach.

(7) To return, simply take the same path as on the way there to get back to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 259 m - Col de la Gardiole (258m)
  2. 1 : km 0.62 - alt. 235 m - Path on the right
  3. 2 : km 1.1 - alt. 209 m - Forest road, on the right
  4. 3 : km 1.45 - alt. 191 m - Fork at the youth hostel, on the right
  5. 4 : km 2.55 - alt. 162 m - Cistern, on the right
  6. 5 : km 2.68 - alt. 155 m - Cairn, on the left
  7. 6 : km 3.13 - alt. 26 m - Junction with the main access path
  8. 7 : km 3.88 - alt. 2 m - Calanque d'En-Vau
  9. S/E : km 7.76 - alt. 259 m - Col de la Gardiole

Notes

(6) If you wish to take a different route, you can continue on the main path, which is signposted and indicates the direction of the Col de la Gardiole.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 25 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
juliemolto
juliemolto

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 01, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A great hike, a bit challenging in places, but the En-Vau cove is a must-see in our region! It can get quite crowded, especially on the beach, but keep in mind that it was a public holiday!
Important note: you'll need to park in the Gineste car park opposite Carpiagne and walk to the starting point, as cars are not allowed beyond this point.
Then, you can either take the shortcut (a bit challenging) and walk for about 20 minutes longer, or take the road that goes around, but it will take longer.

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PdL
PdL

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 28, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Physical circuit

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edechezelles
edechezelles

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 22, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : Yes

Thanks for the hike. The views are beautiful
Too many people for my taste, not wild enough. But I should have expected that, especially when we arrived at the cove. No swimming because of jellyfish.
Then on the way back, a car in the car park had its rear window smashed by some thugs who must have been after a laptop or a bag. Be careful not to leave anything visible. A very mixed experience.

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Gépa
Gépa

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 08, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

The views and locations are as beautiful as ever and, as a result, very popular.

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1234567890
1234567890

Overall rating : 3.5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 02, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Work in progress at the moment, no access to the car park or the route.
However, there are diversions that lead to the same final destination.

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fisarivi
fisarivi

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 21, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Nice walk but few trails (roads and paths).
Magnificent cove, but be careful, it quickly becomes shaded! Splendid view of the bay.

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rando ambig
rando ambig

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 06, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Great view

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KLJOIE
KLJOIE

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 14, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful hike ending at the stunning Calanque

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Alain1610
Alain1610

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 02, 2021
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Hello,
It is now impossible to access the Col de la Gardiole by vehicle. You must therefore park in the car park on the D559. For my part, after the Col de la Gardiole, I took the path that goes around the forest house and leads to the Calanque d'En Vau via the valley of the same name. After stopping at the cove, I went back up the GR 51/98 and took the south/north path near point 151 to go towards Fontasse, rejoining your route at the cistern, point 161 (or point 4 on your route).
NB: the area is very busy, but your route itself is much less so.

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Jm2grasse
Jm2grasse

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 02, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Very pretty path with a fantastic finish.

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jnitard
jnitard

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 20, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Access to the Col de la Gardiole car park is now prohibited. You must therefore depart from the car park opposite the entrance to the military site and, once you have passed the barrier, take the path marked in red on the left. The route is very well signposted.
The trail is very easy (it is also used by VTT riders) and does not present any particular difficulties. The return involves a slightly steep climb (the calanque is very steep and deep) but nothing too challenging. The arrival at the calanque is a beautiful reward for the little effort required.
I also enjoyed the hike to the En Vau viewpoint via the Col de l'Oule, which follows much of the same route. In the valley, two paths lead there, one at the start of the Col des Rampes trail. It is signposted in brown to the pass. Once you reach the cistern, follow the blue trail to the viewpoint, which offers a view of En Vau and the cliffs of the Calanque de l'Oule. A little hidden and below, you can see the Yves Azemas refuge. The other trail is a little lower down on the right. This is handy if you've been distracted and missed the first trail.
The breathtaking view alone makes this route worth the detour, as you can go to the viewpoint and then to En Vau, or vice versa. In winter, it is best to set off early as the cove quickly loses the sun.

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• Edited:

The user account associated with this content has been deleted.

cc92
cc92

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 05, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very beautiful hike that leads to a stunning cove.
It is best to follow the signs from the Gardiole car park on the way there and follow the path indicated in this hike on the way back. This avoids a dangerous descent... It is better to take it uphill on the way back!

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Suchard 83
Suchard 83

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 06, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Magnificent hike, superb views, a real treat.
Be careful after the modern house: turn left, then right, not left, then left, otherwise you'll end up at a rubbish tip. Behind the scenes
second "BE CAREFUL" warning, and an important one. At the last fork, be careful: there is a very steep descent with large slippery rocks, which is dangerous (I had good hiking boots). It would be a good idea to mention this in the directions.
Parking is PAID even on Sundays!
Enjoy your hike!

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damdam18
damdam18

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 08, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Very beautiful hike, easy to access and clear path to the cove. Please note that it is no longer possible to park at the Col de la Gardiole car park, which adds nearly 40 minutes to the journey before the start of the hike.

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