In Bouches Du Rhone, mountainous landscapes in the north give way to the turquoise Mediterranean in the south. This contrast is particularly striking where land meets water: Parc national des Calanques is a land and marine park covering 520 square kilometers and extending across Marseille, Cassis and La Ciotat. Hiking the trails is considered the best way to explore its terrestrial side. If you plan to spend half a day on the trails, heed the park’s recommendation to bring at least 1.5 liters of water per person. There are no water sources in the Calanques; check the current hiking guidance before setting out.
Experience the Calanques on foot and from the water
Individual trails can also give your trip a concrete framework. From the center of Cassis, you can reach Calanque de Port-Miou on foot in about 30 minutes via the GR58-51. Port-Miou serves as an easy nautical base, with a nautical club and a harbor master's office; check the current status of the facilities before your trip. The GR98-51 provides access to Calanque de Port-Pin and Calanque d’En-Vau.
There are several ways to see the area from the sea: shuttles to the Calanques depart from the Vieux-Port in Marseille. Operators and timetables may change, so it is a good idea to check the latest schedule before your trip. Sea kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding are also mentioned as ways to travel along the coast and reach the Calanques. The available options and the conditions under which they operate may vary by provider.
If you plan to take the Route des Crêtes, you can reach it from Cassis or La Ciotat. There are parking areas at several viewpoints. The road may be closed because of seasonal wildfire risk, so check the current conditions before setting out. For navigation on hiking trails, the Mes Calanques app offers 20 geolocated hiking routes and lets you track your progress along the trails. Its features may change over time.
Island nature and trails through varied landscapes
Île Verte lies 400 meters from the mainland, is part of the classified Cap Canaille site and Parc national des Calanques, and has diverse flora and fauna. The Réserve naturelle de Sainte-Victoire offers a different focus: the national nature reserve covers 140 hectares. A paleontological site known for dinosaur eggs is located in the Grands-Creux sector. This way, your explorations can take in both an island with diverse flora and fauna and a site with a very specific connection to the history of the Earth.
The trails also differ across the natural areas described. The Alpilles have an extensive network of paths and trails for hiking, horseback riding and cycling. Parc naturel régional de Camargue offers 14 hiking routes. When planning your time outdoors, you can choose between a network of trails with several activities and a selection of hiking circuits, without reducing both landscapes to the same activity.
Regional traditions and products
The Camargue is more than just its hiking trails: Riz de Camargue has been recognized as a protected geographical indication (IGP) since December 2013. Poutargue, sardines and sea urchins are among the products associated with the département’s maritime food culture. These products add a distinct coastal and aquatic dimension to the region’s culinary appeal, alongside nature experiences inland.
Another regional tradition is the Course camarguaise, practiced in Bouches Du Rhone from March to November. Event calendars vary by venue and season, so check the dates for the specific place you plan to visit. Together with the range of landscapes from the northern mountain ranges to the southern Mediterranean, this makes for a trip that connects nature, trails, local products and living traditions across different parts of the département.
Discover more destinations: Aigues-Mortes, Le Grau-Du-Roi, Port Camargue, Saintes-Maries-De-La-Mer, Aubagne, Cassis, Ceyreste, Cuges-Les-Pins, La Ciotat, La Destrousse, Peypin, Roquefort-La-Bédoule, Roquevaire, Aix-En-Provence, Allauch, Alleins, Arles, Aureille, Aurons, Barbentane, Belcodène, Boulbon, Carro, Carry-Le-Rouet, Charleval, Châteauneuf-Le-Rouge, Chateaurenard, Cornillon-Confoux, Coudoux, Eguilles, Eygalières, Eyguières, Eyragues, Fontvieille, Fuveau, Gignac-La-Nerthe, Grans, Graveson, Istres, Jouques, La Bouilladisse, La Penne-Sur-Huveaune, La Roque-D'anthéron, Lamanon, Lambesc, Lançon-de-Provence, Le Puy-Sainte-Réparade, Les Baux-De-Provence, Luynes, Maillane, Mallemort, Marignane, Marseille, Martigues, Maussane Les Alpilles, Meyrargues, Meyreuil, Mimet, Mollégès, Moulès, Mouriès, Noves, Orgon, Paradou, Peynier, Plan-D'orgon, Pont De Crau Arles, Puyricard, Raphèle-Les-Arles, Rognes, Rognonas, Rousset, Saint-Cannat, Saint-Marc-Jaumegarde, Saint-Martin-De-Crau, Saint-Rémy-De-Provence, Salon-De-Provence, Sausset-Les-Pins, Senas, Tarascon, Trets, Vauvenargues, Velaux, Venelles, Ventabren, Vernègues, Vitrolles, Puyloubier, Peyrolles-En-Provence, Gréasque, Gardanne, Cabriès, La Fare-Les-Oliviers, La Barben, Miramas, Entressen, Bouc-Bel-Air, Saint-Estève-Janson, Cabannes, Cadolive, Septèmes-Les-Vallons, Saliers, Plan-De-Cuques, Les-Pennes-Mirabeau, Les Milles, Fos-Sur-Mer, Carnoux, Paluds De Noves, Beaurecueil, Saint-Paul-Lès-Durance, Châteauneuf-Les-Martigues, Port-De-Bouc, Le Rove, Simiane-Collongue, Saint-Antonin-Sur-Bayon, Saint-Chamas, Berre-L'étang, Pélissanne, Le Tholonet, Auriol, Gémenos, Saint-Andiol, Saint-Victoret, Mas-Blanc-Des-Alpilles, Ensuès-La-Redonne, Port-Saint-Louis-Du-Rhône, Saint-Mitre-Les-Remparts, Rognac, Saint-Savournin, Saint-Étienne-du-Grès
For the broader travel overview: Provence-Alpes-Côte D'azur.
