The Escu via Callelongue and the Cirque des Walkyries

A beautiful hike, but one of the most technical we've done in the calanques. The climbing sections in the Escu cove are perfectly feasible, but the second section can be a real obstacle for people with vertigo.
The passage through the calanque du Podestat is ultimately the trickiest, as there is no rope and the first 'step' is difficult to negotiate.
With two errors on the route that cost us around 40 minutes, it took us 6 hours 30 minutes to complete the hike.

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A very fine, sporty walk. The return via the calanques requires energy but above all vigilance to avoid taking the wrong path. With a bit of concentration, the two chain-linked sections are not particularly dangerous. Done in 5 hours (8 hours with a swim and picnic) for 15km, with one error on the route at the calanque de l'escu. Bring plenty of water.

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Hello
I've already posted a review below, nice hike. But I'd like to come back to the passage over the ridge, which isn't very safe. The cable is too long and the sheath too short in relation to the cable, so it slides around, which is not very safe.

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Super hike.
It took us 6 hours, and although we had to put our hands in quite often, it wasn't particularly difficult.
I wouldn't recommend it with children.

2 points to watch out for:
the second chain passage with a chain that wasn't tight enough and the sliding plastic protection that required attention.
The climb through the rocks after the calanques de l'escu is not easy to start with if you're not very tall.

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It's not a popular route in January, but in my opinion it's much less popular in the summer!

Here are a few comments.
"Very nice circuit but some places not well signposted enough in my opinion": yes.
You have to keep your eyes open to follow the route properly.

The GPX track was very good but I did have a few lags so you have to be on your toes at all times. However, I made 2 mistakes, notably before point 4 where you have to go right at the tight bend that looks a bit like a hairpin on the map but not really on the ground. There were some branches and I missed it! I thought it was a mistake in the route.
13.7 km with a bit of scrambling, so the indicated distance is correct.
I took a lot of photos and videos that I'll post on Youtube with the Visorando link (in 2 or 3 weeks max), which brought me to 6.5 hours of hiking.
I waited a bit at the tricky sections because there were about ten people to let through.
Make sure there's no one in front of you, otherwise it's going to be complicated! It gave me a good scare and made me realise that it's still possible. If you're afraid of heights or a bit scared, don't do this walk.

"Complete circuit with a bit of climbing all the same": there's a lot of climbing both up and down, so it's particularly physical. There are some "flat" sections at the start, which give you a chance to rest.
This is less the case in the middle of the hike.
There is "another" aerial passage without ropes, so be careful. It can be scary because there's a precipice just below.
You have to stick to the wall and there's plenty of room to put your foot down easily, unlike the other 2 tricky sections.
Still doable though.

The first passage with rope: rope at a height of 2m50. Climbing a little earlier. You need to be either athletic or flexible and push hard on your legs.
Your shoe can get stuck in the little space there is. And you need to pull on your arms. The girdle is correct there.
From there on, it's fine if you don't get stuck.

The next section of the aerial ledge is more impressive and even dangerous. "The cable isn't taut enough and the plastic sheath covering it is much shorter, so it slides around, making it unreliable to hold": so you have to pull it a bit. There's room for just one foot.
You absolutely must go up a little before instead of going straight up: very dangerous because there's no rope just a little before. This allows you to go straight to the rope after having climbed a little before and there's more room.
It can be scary because you can't see the end of the rope, which is actually just behind the passage.
Don't stop, especially in the middle, even if it's not long.

Then, the green markings are not very visible a few metres down, but you'll have to climb! And a good one at that! You can't get a firm grip with your hands. You have to push on your legs and be sure of yourself. There's just enough room to put your foot down. It's high: 3 metres in my opinion. This passage would also have deserved a rope.
Be flexible and strong in your legs. After that, it climbs again but it's no longer dangerous but you still have to be careful at all times.
So don't venture out if you're not trained.

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Very nice hike. The callanque de l'escu is easier in the "Sormiou-Callelongues" direction, as the obstacles can be climbed (cables and last passage). Due to new regulations that close Callelongues during the summer and school holidays, we parked at the Sormiou water treatment plant. This meant that we had to do a large part of the climb on the way back and at the end, which wasn't great.
While there may be some interpretations of the description, the GPS route is accurate.

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Done on 3 September (bright sunshine, no wind and 27°C).
Don't forget the water!

A few comments on the route description, which is sometimes misleading:

In fact, all you have to do up to point 4 is follow the yellow route. So at point 2 you should not "take the yellow path" but "continue on the yellow path".

At point 4 it says "in the hollow of the valley, go back up a few metres..." the poet who wrote this would have done better to specify "about 400 m after the hairpin bend to the right (cf. map) look out for a path that goes back to the left: follow it for a few metres then (from point 4) it's a green signpost that you have to follow to point 7". (I went 2 km too far by confidently descending into the famous "hollow of the valley"!)

Otherwise it's a breathtaking hike!

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Nice route but not well signposted enough in my opinion.
The Col de Cordiou link to the Calanque de 'Escu is not very easy with these 2 cable crossings.
Personally, I'd advise you to equip yourself with a harness/rope and karabiner to reassure yourself or those who join you.
A complete circuit with a bit of climbing all the same.
Very beautiful scenery though, so I don't regret having done it. The next one will have fewer surprises, so certainly less anxiety at times.
In conclusion, I would describe it as Very Difficult rather than Difficult.
And above all, don't forget to drink plenty of water.

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Please note that path no. 5 in green, by the sea (cable crossings), is closed due to a risk of rockfall.
There is an alternative via path no. 2 in black or GR51; GR98.

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Very nice hike, a little aerial on 2 passages, (one of which is complicated for people suffering from vertigo) The fault is easy to climb with the help of a cable. Beautiful scenery.

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Superb views, beautiful hike with some difficult sections (a bit of climbing!) Walking shoes with non-slip soles welcome, especially in wet weather. The plastic-covered chains could do with some new plastic, but it's great that they're in place! Anyone suffering from vertigo should refrain. Splendid, well worth the ride!

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A superb route with no major difficulties.
The choice of returning via the seaside seems appropriate.

On the other hand, the mileage doesn't correspond to what a Garmin GPS (special for hiking) gives me. We covered around 16 km compared with the 12 km indicated... Without deviating from the original route, of course.

Thank you for this suggestion

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A fantastic tour of the Calanques! This was our first hike, but it's one we'll never forget! Be careful, it's not for everyone, the gradients are steep, some sections are very aerial and some are done with cables...
The views are breathtaking, and we saw very few people except on the last stretch of coastline. A real treat!
Not to be done in summer, when shade is scarce....This is not a walk. Be careful how much water you take along...

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A few clarifications: 1) you need to go up to see the 109m semaphore (view, facilities, etc.).
2) It is nicer (and more sporty) to take the path marked with 3 yellow dots (200m further on, turn left) to go to the Col de la Galinette (pass under the climbing routes of the Rocher des Goudes, continue along the green path 2a, pass through the cave with arches). Be careful, the pass is not signposted: follow the yellow markings.
3) No smell at the Col de Cortiou.
4) Follow the green route down to the seafront (crossing the Mélette is a little tricky, but nothing more) and don't miss the start of the vire du pêcheur (fisherman's turn), which is at a rock where it says Escu straight on and Cortiou where you come from in green. The green lines go right towards the wall where you will find the cable with plastic sheathing after 20m. If you continue to follow the markings, which become 3 green dots, you will descend to the calanque in a cul de sac (allow 10', 300m) to see the cistern and climbing routes. You can also see the ridge where you are going to pass.
5) Easy climbing passage (with cable) and fairly wide, cabled ledge that leads to the next cove (with no name) where you have to climb to the right (short climbing passage, the hardest of the whole walk). You then come to the GR51 at a cairn.
6) It is interesting to descend to the Podestat cove and climb back up (low wall, black cross markings).
Enjoy the walk

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