Cassis Calanques Hike: Port-Miou, Port-Pin & En-Vau Half-Day Trail
Difficulty
moderate
Duration
3–4 hours
Fitness Level
Comfortable on varied terrain; you should be able to handle steady walking with short, steep sections and uneven rock underfoot.
Overview
A four-hour guided hike from Cassis that links the marina of Port-Miou, the pebble cove of Port-Pin and the dramatic belvedere above En-Vau. Expect rocky trails, short climbs and some of the Mediterranean’s clearest water.
Cassis Calanques Hike: Port-Miou, Port-Pin & En-Vau Half-Day Trail
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You step off the narrow lane in Cassis and the air changes—salt rides the breeze, pine resin brightens the nose, and a white cliffface leans over a strip of improbable blue. The trail drops toward Port-Miou, its marina a calm throat feeding into the Calanques, then runs the coastline to pebble bays and a belvedere that opens onto En-Vau’s amphitheater of stone and sea. For four hours this is a lesson in contrasts: smooth marble-like limestone, jagged karst ridgelines, and water so clear it dares you to judge depth.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Carry more water than you think
Summer sun and exposed limestone make dehydration easy; bring at least 1.5 L per person (2 L recommended for hot days).
Wear grippy footwear
Uneven limestone and short scrambles reward rigid-soled hiking shoes or approach shoes—no flip-flops or sandals.
Start early or late to avoid crowds
Midday brings boat traffic and crowded viewpoints—early morning or late afternoon offers better light and fewer people.
Respect park rules
Stay on marked paths, avoid fires, and pack out trash—Calanques National Park is protected and heavily managed.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Audouin’s gull (often hovering above the coves)
- Mediterranean lizard and occasional peregrine or kestrel
History
Port-Miou bears traces of former limestone quarrying and an underground watercourse; the local towns have long balanced fishing, viticulture and quarry industries.
Conservation
Calanques National Park enforces strict rules to protect fragile maquis and nesting birds—stay on trails, avoid fires, and carry out all waste.
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Adventure Hotspots in Cassis
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Hiking shoes with good grip
Required for traction on polished limestone and loose scree.
1.5–2 L water and a hydration system
Keeps you hydrated through exposed sections; refills are scarce.
summer specific
Sun hat and high-SPF sunscreen
The trail is exposed with little shade—protect skin and eyes.
summer specific
Light windbreaker or shell
Wind off the sea can be chilly; a thin shell stops spray and sudden gusts.
spring specific