Crossing the Calanques National Park from Cassis to Marseille

First, reach the starting point of this hike. You have two options:
- either take the bus (M08) from Marseille.
- or drive to the car parks at the entrance to Cassis and take a shuttle bus.
- drive to the Bestouen car park, then take Avenue des Calanques.

(S) The starting point is on the^{GR®51-GR®98}at the end of the Port Miou cove. Take this path towards the sea, walking alongside an old Cassis stone quarry on your right. On your left, you will walk alongside Port Miou, where many pleasure boats are moored.

(1) Turn left onto the Blue Trail (No. 4) and walk along the Calanque de Port Pin. The ascent begins. The rocks are less polished than those on^{the GR®}, but the difficulties are still there.

(2) Turn left onto the^GR®51. Descend a steep scree slope (-110m in 300m!) where caution is required. Then find a small path, among the trees, which is easy to follow at the bottom of the Vallon d'En Vau. After another steep climb of +100m, you will arrive at the Col de l'Oule. Descend for about 300m.

(3) Take the Green Trail (No. 8) on the left towards the Grotte and Calanque de l'Oule. This is the start of the climb up the Falaises de Devenson towards Cap Gros (about an hour's climb, 350m elevation gain, with the impression every minute that you've reached the top). First, walk along the Aiguille de l'Eissadon and enjoy the view. Then discover the challenges of the Calanques Massif and its vertiginous cliffs. You will then find yourself back on an easy trail, a pleasant stroll... You will even descend a little.

(4) Turn left onto the^GR®51. The climb resumes, this time more difficult, and you will sometimes need to use your hands. Walk along the Anse des Enfers (you couldn't make it up!). Turn around and look at the little path you have just walked along.

Walk very close to the Calanque de l'Œil de Verre. Impressive! Dizzying! You will see Cap Morgiou in the middle of the sea, which looks like an island. Continue on the^GR®, ignoring the red trail (6) that descends towards Pas de l'Œil de Verre. On your right, looking towards Cap Gros, admire these magnificent waves. Take a pleasant uphill trail towards Vallon de la Candelle.

(5) Join the Yellow and Green trails and turn left, continuing on the^GR®51. You will arrive at the Col de la Candelle. The view is magnificent, with the Grande Candelle on your left and, on your right, the Calanques de Sugiton and Morgiou, with another view of Cap Morgiou. In the distance, you can see the Sommet de Marseilleveyre, which rises to 433 metres. Descend another steep slope and walk along the Mont Puget (563 metres) on your right, the highest peak in the Calanques National Park.

Descend for about an hour towards the Col de Sugiton. When you reach a crossroads, take the wide path opposite you, passing a cistern on your right. You are now heading towards Luminy, home to Marseille's largest university campus.

(6) Take the yellow path (No. 7) on the left, which after about 100 metres disappears under the trees, with numerous paths criss-crossing in all directions. Ignore the dotted yellow line on your left, which descends towards Morgiou, with the famous passage de la chaîne.

(7) At the intersection with a red trail, turn left for about 50 metres.

(8) Cross the road that descends to Morgiou and follow the unmarked path in front of you to join the red trail (No. 5).

(9) Continue along the red trail in front of you (slightly to the right). A trail climbing +200m takes you to the Crête de Morgiou. You arrive at the "Carrefour", with magnificent views. To the east, you will see Cap Morgiou, the Falaise des Toits, La Candelle and Mont Puget. To the west, you will see the Calanque de Sormiou, its small port and its bec, and further away, Marseilleveyre (to remember the order of the three calanques: SMS: Sormiou/Morgiou/Sugiton).

(10) Turn right onto the Blue trail (No. 1) and Red trail towards Baou Rond and Col des Baumettes.

(11) Turn right onto the Blue trail (No. 1b). Descend a steep path and arrive near a bridge.
If you set off early and have made good progress, this is a good place to stop for lunch.

(12) When it's time to set off again, take the road on the left, then left at the bend and follow the red trail. You will arrive at Col des Baumettes.

(13) Take the blue trail (No. 1) and red trail (^GR®51) on the right. Descend towards Col de Sormiou.

(14) Cross the road and continue straight ahead, following the red (^GR®51) and blue trails. Climb a little (the most difficult part is now behind you).

(15) Pass Col de Cortiou and continue to follow the^GR®51.

(16) Continue on the^GR® and admire the Cirque des Walkyries. When you pass under the Aiguille de la Mélette, you cannot miss the view to the east, towards Cassis and its Cap Canaille, one of the highest sea cliffs in the world. You are now on an easy path, almost at water level. Take advantage of this trail to "recover" from your morning's efforts, because a challenging section awaits you at the end of the route.

Walk along the Calanque de l'Escu and the Cirque de la Bougie. Go around the Calanque de Podestat, with its magnificent colours and "recently" fallen rocks. This is a very pleasant trail with constant views of the sea, which is very popular in summer. Arrive at Plan des Cailles and go around the Calanque de Marseilleveyre near an old battery. Discover a magnificent beach and its restaurant, Le Belge, which is only supplied by boat.

Continue along the^GR® trail^. Pass the Calanque de la Mounine and its valley, with its black trees, burnt during a recent fire. Continue for about 300 metres.

(17) Take the Black trail (No. 2a) on the right towards the old semaphore. The trail is a little rough but not very long. Once at the top, you will once again be treated to beautiful views on both sides.

(18) Take the Yellow trail opposite, towards Callelongue. Descend on a stony path without any particular difficulty. You will arrive at the small port of Callelongue, the last port accessible from Marseille by the road along the sea.

(19) Turn right onto the main road and cross the village. Continue to the exit and, after the houses, go through a gate. Continue along the path, then keep to the left.

(20) Turn left onto the^GR®. The stony path becomes steep, but is not very long. Ignore the red path on the right that leads to the Grotte de Saint-Michel d'Eau Douce. Continue on the^GR®, which is also called the Sentier du Président for this section.

(21) Continue on the^GR®. On your left, you can admire the Port des Goudes, Île de Maïre and Île de Tiboulen.

(22) Turn right onto the very steep Yellow Trail (No. 5), with a gradient of +25%. Yes, it's a steep climb on a "comfortable" trail. Don't hesitate to take a breather because the hardest part is coming up soon. After all these kilometres in your legs since the morning, the pace is slow. Pass the Pic de la Famille on your right. Below you, you can see numerous coves cutting into the coastline. Take the time to turn around and admire the landscape with its extraordinary views of blue.

(23) At Col de la Moutte, take the Marron trail on your left for about 50 metres.

(24) Turn right onto the Marron trail. Ignore the Marron trail on your left, which descends towards Mont Rose and Port de la Madrague. The very steep climb is over scree. Continue to the junction with the Blue trail. You are now at Béouveyre.

(25) Continue along the brown trail. Look for the continuation of the brown trail on your left, which is not very easy to find. Yes, and this passage where you "tip over" for the rest of the route is so impressive. Then descend towards Parc Pastré on this brown trail, which is quite difficult and requires caution. You will descend nearly 300 metres in altitude over a little more than a kilometre.

(26) Turn right and follow the brown trail. Shortly afterwards, continue on the green trail.

(27) Turn left and follow the Green trail, as well as the Yellow trail. Descend along a fairly busy trail at the bottom of a fault, with many rocks, some of which are slippery. At the bottom, near the fountain, you will arrive near Avenue de la Grotte Rolland.

(28) Turn right onto the wide path. You are now in Parc Montredon, commonly known as Parc Pastré. At the fork, turn left onto the wide path.

(29) Keep to your left as you leave the wide path. Follow the small canal until you reach the road that appears on your left.

(30) Turn left onto the road and head down towards the entrance to Parc Pastré, the end of this hike (E).

Remember to make arrangements for your return journey!

Please note that you are in the Calanques National Park and must follow the regulations, particularly the conditions of access to the mountains. You can download the "my provence envie de balade" app to find out the conditions for the day.

Bring enough water (at least 4 litres per person) and, of course, food, as you will be in the middle of nature.
Good hiking boots with good grip are essential.
This route is not recommended in wet or very windy weather.

Take a dip in the warm waters of the Mediterranean in one of the many coves

Between (S) and (1) Carrière des Pierres de Cassis. In Roman times (BC), the exploitation of Cassis stone began, as evidenced by the cobblestones of the Roman entrance road to Massilia, still visible in the garden of the ruins of Marseille. The quays of the major Mediterranean ports are built from it (Alexandria, Algiers, Piraeus, Marseille, Port Said, the base of the Statue of Liberty in New York).

Port Miou means "better port" in Provençal. It is the easternmost cove on the coast between Marseille and Cassis.

Once Port Pin is in sight, it is possible to take a short detour (150 metres towards Pointe de Cacau) to discover "Le Trou Souffleur" or "Narine de Neptune" (this possible detour is not included in the route of this hike). It is a hole about 5 cm wide, above a partially submerged cavity, which, with the action of the incoming water, produces a very audible blow/suction a few metres away.

Between (4) and (5) Cap Morgiou, in the middle of the sea, gives the impression of an island. This cape is cut off to the south by the Calanque de la Triperie, where the Cosquer cave, named after its discoverer, is located. This well-known cave, discovered in 1985, is covered with cave paintings dating from 27,000 to 19,000 years ago. Let us remember that 20,000 years ago, during the last ice age, the water level was 120 metres lower!

Between (5) and (6) Luminy is home to Marseille's largest university campus. The 2018 Nobel Prize winner, James Allison, recognised for his work on cancer immunotherapy, based his research in part on a discovery made in 1987 by the Golstein laboratory at the Luminy Immunology Centre. You will probably encounter a crowd of walkers, many of whom are heading to the nearby Sugiton cove. So don't be surprised to see swimsuits and flip-flops!

Between (11) and (12) Near a bridge, if you set off early and have walked well, this is the place to stop for lunch, in a quiet, shady spot, which is essential in summer. For me, this is the ideal place to have lunch, as digestion can begin on a less difficult section of the route ahead. If you take the time to look around, you may be surprised to see so little animal life. And yet, the Calanques massif is home to 179 protected animal species and more than 900 plant species, representing a fifth of France's flora.

Between (20) and (21) is the Sentier du Président, named in honour of a president of the "Excursionnistes Marseillais" association. We can thank this association and its members, who have put a lot of energy into maintaining and even retracing the main trails for over 100 years.

Between (21) and (22) Le Port des Goudes, Île de Maïre and Île de Tiboulen, which is located beyond Cap Croisette. When you arrive, the light will be superb, with shades of white, blue and green. So get your camera ready to capture these magnificent images that you will never tire of.

Between (27) and (28), you are likely to encounter many walkers taking this yellow trail to reach either the summit of Marseilleveyre, the Col de la Selle or the Plateau de l'Homme Mort. In short, this yellow trail provides access to many other trails.

Between (28) and Parc Pastré. This park is crossed by a small canal that used to supply water to various local industries. It is very popular, whatever the day of the week, with families, hikers and especially sports enthusiasts for running or brisk walking.