No superlative will succeed to describe the natural paradise of Provence that unfolds between Marseille and Cassis, is twenty kilometres away as the crow flies. Wonders of geology, the creeks refer to the deep indentations in the coastline, reminiscent of the fjords of limestone. This beautiful coast, which remains wild, is a paradise for hikers, lovers of kayaking, rock climbing, swimming lazing. However, the visit of this fragile space, and protected not be taken lightly.
The crossing at the foot of the calanques of Callelongue to Cassis
This hiking between sea and mountain is the best way to discover the most beautiful aspects of the massif. The crossing, of a total duration of 12 to 13 hours, take in the most l e path of the GR98-51. The bulk of the route runs along the coastline, with occasional forays to the interior. Unless you are very athletic, the perfect formula is to browse it in two stages a day, each one, leaving the course at approximately mid-way in the area of Luminy , near the col de Sugiton (accessible by bus or car from Marseille).
Equip yourself with essential water supplies (no water point on the course), a hat, sunglasses, a mobile phone, good walking shoes, energy-dense foods as well as a GPS or a map, IGN detailed the massif.
Our advice : the route is hilly, with some of the passages, through corridors, very steep and the other alongside sheer cliffs. The trail is mostly rocky. The lack of shade and high summer temperatures are also taken into consideration. The best seasons for this hike are spring and fall.Read also : Corsica on foot: our best itinérairesDe the calanque of Callelongue to the calanque de Sormiou (4 hours)off the massif des Calanques, the island of Riou. Adobe Stock
At the start of the hamlet of Callelongue, after a short ascent, the path skirts a rocky hillock topped by a semaphore disused. Enjoy the view on the island Maïre and on the other islands of the archipelago. After about 30 minutes, you reach the calanque de la Mounine , a small channel without pretension fringed with a tiny pebble beach. From here, the trail, almost at sea level, leads to the calanque de Marseilleveyre . The trail rises slightly and quickly joins the calanque de Podestà, has been confirmed, it bypasses overhanging.
One deviates gradually from the sea to walk in the balcony, 150 m of altitude approximately with sight on the dizzying island of Riou , an extraordinary cathedral of stone. The landscape is tightening little by little. The trail is adjacent to circus cashed forming imposing walls : the circus of the Candle , then the circus of the Valkyries .
At the end of approximately 2 hours 30 minutes after climbing steep, we reached the col de Cortiou (approximately 230 m), where opens a beautiful panorama on the calanque de Sormiou : a small fishing port with boats that dodelinent, a beach, cabanas typically marseillais, crystal clear water… A paradise !
read also : Where to go this summer to Marseille ? Our hotels blow of heart in the city phocéenneDe the calanque de Sormiou to the cliff of ToitsAvec its small fishing port, its cottages and its small pebble beach, and yet it is in the 9th arrondissement of Marseille that is located in the calanque de Morgiou. Adobe Stock
The path is extended by a climb quite challenging but the stunning views and temper the sensation of hardness. We walk at an altitude of 230 m approximately, on a ridge suspended between the sky and the sea, before switching in the descent to the calanque de Morgiou , another natural beauty, with its transparent waters and its small fishing port. Arrived at Morgiou, it is possible to eat on the spot.
De Morgiou, it takes three quarters of an hour of walk to reach the calanque de Sugiton . Deep, fringed coves, it is probably the most attractive. Unable to resist the temptation of bathing ! Followed by a steep climb, which offers a panorama on the cove of Stone that Fell , at the foot of a majestic cliff. The trail curves to the interior, and begins a gradual climb along a rock bar, the cliff Roofs , before reaching a crossroads of paths, where you can leave the route to reach the domain of Luminy, if you do not want to make the complete crossing of creeks in a day.
read also : 48 hours in Marseille, between sea and collinesDe the cliff of Roofs in the valley of the OuleLes spectacular cliffs of Devenson, views of the sea. Florence Piot
The going gets tough, suddenly, with a vertical drop delivered up to the col de la Candelle , the highest point (433 m) of the route, set back from the sea. The panorama is fantastic : to the west, one sees the long ridge of Morgiou and, in the distance, the island of Riou. To the east, there are the cap Canaille. From the pass, the trail begins a gradual descent and then approaches gradually to the coast remaining in the cornice.
It then enters the massif du Devenson , regarded as the portion most spectacular of the route. The trail runs along cliffs that plunge precipitously into the emerald water, some 250 m below. In the passage, we can guess the beach of the Glass Eye , the aiguille du Devenson , the calanque of Devenson and then the calanque of Eissadon , which is recognizable to the needle of stone that the terminal to the west. These creeks are inaccessible (except by sea). 1 hour 30 from the col de la Candelle, we reached a lookout point, before the trail descends up to the valley Or . With its plant cover, it has a look bucolic.
read also : the Southern Alps: three hikes to get close to the peaks of wild MercantourDu valley Or to CassisWith its high cliffs and its crystal clear water, the calanque of En-Vau is the most grandiose of the national park. Adobe Stock
The valley floor, the trail climbs back up to the cervical Ule . From there, it follows the route blue to belvedere d’en-Vau which unfolds below, the calanque of En-Vau . Nestled at the mouth of a narrow gorge and wooded, it passes to the pearl of the massif. It can be reached from the belvedere by a steep path.
GR then goes up on the plateau Cadeiron in half an hour, then drops slowly until the calanque de Port-Pin , another sublime cove suitable for swimming. A small ridge of rock separating it from its huge neighbour, the calanque de Port-Miou , the long snake of 1.5 km, marina frequented lined with dozens of sailing ships. The trail is flat, the steps in the corniche until the road that joins Cassis.
read more : https://www.lefigaro.fr/voyages/nos-plus-belles-chambres-d-hotes-2020-dans-le-sud-est-20200515Découvrir the creeks by the merLa visit the creeks by boat is a great way to explore all the coves and islands are located between Marseille and Cassis. Adobe Stock
The approach of the calanques by the sea provides sensations indescribable. Several options are possible, including the sea kayaking , which allows you to get very close to the beaches and coves, and even exploring caves. Raskas Kayak (raskas-kayak.com and Yakaramer (yakaramer.fr) organize outings supervised by a monitor, in the area of the calanques, En-Vau, Port-Miou and Sugiton, and from the islands of Friuli (depending on weather conditions), half day (40 €) or the day (70 €).
option, the stand-up paddle (SUP), that you can practise with On the Road (active-road.com). What a pleasure to paddle creek in the creek, sliding on the water at their own pace !
the More classical, the boat trips , from Marseille or Cassis. In the manner of tour boats, the boats are specially equipped for the carriage of passengers and boarded dozens of people to a minicroisière. They are chained to the coves one after the other and don’t stop. Attention ! The landing on the beaches of the calanques is not allowed.
Climbing
With precipitous cliffs, the massif des calanques is a mecca of rock climbing in Europe. Many of the walls are equipped. The most sought-after areas are near Sormiou, of Morgiou, the Candelle, of Devenson and En-Vau. For any advice or for outings, accompanied, it must apply to the Desktop monitors of the calanques (bmc-escalade.com).
creeks, mode emploiGuide practice for a hike in the calanques of Marseille between Sugiton and Morgiou. Adobe Stock
The national Calanques park is open to the public throughout the year. However, due to the risk of fire and of the weather, the access to the massif is regulated from 1 June to 30 September. In the event of a danger level rated red, the access is forbidden all-day. Before any visit, it is imperative to consult the map of the prefecture or call 0811 20 12 12 to find out the level of danger. This map is updated every day at 18 hours at the latest, for the next day. You can also the mobile application to My Creeks to organize your output.
Note that it is strictly forbidden to camp and bivouac.
GO THERE
By car, the massif is accessible by several points : Callelongue, to the west ; Sormiou (by Jinty and The Cayolle) ; Morgiou (by The Baumettes) ; and Port-Miou (for Cassis). Attention, all weekends and bank holidays from April to end of may, and daily from June to the end of September, the roads of access to the Sormiou and Morgiou are closed to vehicles (it is necessary to leave her car on a parking lot constructed, paying, and walking several kilometres up to the calanques).
By bus, departing from Marseille Callelongue is served by the lines 19 and 20 ; Sormiou by the line 23 (up to The Cayolle) ; Morgiou by the line 22, until the Baumettes) ; and Luminy by the M2 metro and then the bus 21 (www.rtm.fr).
RESTORE
There are only a handful of restaurants in the calanques. In the calanque of Marseilleveyre, The Belgian (facebook.com/chezlebelge13 offers a kitchen à la bonne franquette. In the calanque of Sormiou, The Castle (lechateausormiou.fr) benefits from a beautiful terrace with views of the Mediterranean. The kitchen, season, is inspired by the products of the sea. The Show Bar (tel : 04 91 40 06 37), in the calanque de Morgiou, serves family dishes (including the soup, on order) in a setting of end of the world.
payments are made in cash (not credit card). If you want to travel by car between June and September, indicate the number of your license plate at time of booking, which will bring you closer to the establishment.
The editorial team conseilleOù from this summer to Marseille ? Our hotels blow of heart in the city phocéenne48 hours in Marseille, between sea and collinesLa Corsica on foot… out of the GR battusSujetsMarseilleProvence-Alpes-Côte d AzurBouches-of-RhôneFrancerandonnéevacances summer 2020TourismeNaturePratiqueAucun comment
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