This post may contain affiliate links. By purchasing through my links you can help support me at no additional cost to you, thank you!
Planning a trip to Calanques National Park in France? If so, here’s how to hike to Calanque d’En Vau – arguably the prettiest calanque.
Nestled along the shores of the Mediterranean, Calanque d’En Vau is a must-visit destination on the mesmerizing French Riviera. If you are planning a visit to the South of France, then trust me, you do not want to skip out on this incredible hike. While I love the Calanques National Park and recommend you explore as much of it as possible, it’s undeniable that Calanque d’En Vau is the most popular hikes here. Often nicknamed the prettiest calanque, it’s clear to see why this spot is a crowd favorite. The turquoise waters and white pebble beach make for an unreal view.
In this blog post, I’ll kick things off by tackling the most common questions and some general facts to ensure you’re well-prepared for your visit. I’ll then go into detail on how to get to the starting point of the hike to Calanque d’En Vau, and when the best time to visit would be. There will also be a list of things to bring to make sure you’re well-equipped, and a detailed map of the hike along with interest points you can use on your hike. I’ll give you the exact hiking details so you know exactly what to expect, and which routes to choose. Lastly, you will also find some recommended places to stay near Calanque d’En Vau.
The Calanques National Park is one of my favorite spots in France and I hope you will love it as much as I do! If you are interested in more hikes in the area, then make sure to check out my blog post below.
Read More: 5 Amazing Hikes in the Calanques National Park
FAQs about Calanque d’En Vau
How long does it take to hike to Calanque d’En Vau
Overall, it takes around 1.5 hours to hike to Calanque d’En Vau. However, this time depends on the hiking speed, and routes you choose. In addition, there are some spots on the way that are worth checking out. Therefore, I would plan to spend a full day on this hike and enjoy the breathtaking views. I will go into details of how long the trail is, and offer some alternative routes that can either shorten or lengthen the hike down to the water.
How do I get to Calanque d’En Vau?
The best way to reach Calanque d’En Vau is by hiking there from Cassis. You can also enjoy the views from the water if you come by boat. However, keep in mind that you are not allowed to dock by the shore or come too close to the swimming area. Therefore, if you would like to visit the beach and check out some viewpoints, then you must hike here.
What is the easiest calanque to access from Cassis?
The easiest calanque to access from Cassis is Calanque de Port Pin. This is an easy hike from the center of Cassis and only takes 45 minutes to walk here from the port. The route is fairly straight and the calanque is beautiful. However, this is on the way to Calanque d’En Vau, which is arguably the prettiest spot in the Calanques National Park. So, I highly recommend that you continue the hike until you reach the iconic secluded beach.
This post is all about Hiking to Calanque d’En Vau – The Ultimate Guide
Visiting Calanque d’En Vau – Important Information
Location: Parc National des Calanques, France.
Elevation: 150 meters.
Allowed: Swimming, dogs (on a leash), cycling (on designated routes).
Not Allowed: Camping, staying overnight, drones, campfires, picking plants, hunting.
Important Note: From the 1st of June until the end of September, the park is prone to wildfires. Each day the authorities assess the risk of a fire and therefore many of the trails can be closed during this season. While it is possible to still hike to Calanque d’En Vau during this period, make sure to check this map for up-to-date information regarding access to the park.
How to get to Calanque d’En Vau
Arriving by car:
Disclaimer: I wouldn’t recommend coming here with a car as the whole area around the Calanques National Park is prone to car theft. Foreign cars and rentals with the company logo clearly on the car are especially prone to this.
One possibility is leaving your car in the fisherman’s village of Cassis since you can walk from there to the start of the trail. Another option if you would like to come by car is to park at Calanque de Port-Miou. You can easily find the parking lot by searching for “Parking Calanque Port-Miou Cassis” on Google Maps. It costs 10 euros to park here for the day and from my understanding, only cash is accepted.
Arriving by public transportation:
If you are staying in Cassis, then this won’t be necessary, as the start of the hike is just a 20-minute walk from the main port. If you are staying in Marseille, then you can take a direct bus to Cassis to start the hike! From the Métro Rond Point du Prado in Marseille you can catch bus number L078 to Cassis. It only drives once an hour, so make sure to arrive in good time at the bus stop. The bus ride lasts around 35 minutes and you get to enjoy beautiful views of the Calanques National Park. At Cassis get off at the stop called “Belsunce” and start walking towards Calanque de Port-Miou.
If you are staying anywhere else in the region then I recommend you to find a bus driving to Cassis. While the town does have a train station, it is located quite far from the city center and you need to catch a shuttle bus to reach the town. The shuttle bus is called M01 and it only runs once every hour. If taking a train is your best option for arriving in Cassis, then make sure to time it with the bus so you won’t have to splurge on a taxi.
When to visit Calanque d’En Vau
You could technically visit Calanque d’En Vau all year round. The turquoise waters make this an enticing swimming spot, so I recommend visiting when it’s warm enough for a swim. However, with the fire hazards in the peak summer months, it is advised to avoid visiting during this period. This way you won’t risk having your plans canceled if the authorities decide that it is too dangerous to hike while you are visiting.
We visited Calanque d’En Vau at the beginning of April. Unfortunately, we visited on some stormy days so none were ideal for hiking here. However, I had dreamed of visiting this iconic spot, so we woke up one morning and decided we would try to beat the storm. We hiked to the viewpoint right over Calanque d’En Vau but did not make it down to the beach. The storm was creeping in and the weather wasn’t any good for swimming. I would recommend visiting a little later in April and anytime throughout May. Additionally, the end of September and all of October would also be a good time to visit.
Best time of Day: The beach at Calanque d’En Vau is very popular and tends to get quite full on a warm sunny day. Therefore, I recommend starting the hike early to enjoy some quiet and find a nice spot on the beach. It makes for the perfect beach day so plan to spend several hours here. If you would like to visit later, then plan your hike so that you arrive around 4-5 PM when most people start to leave.
What to Wear on the Hike
The hike to Calanque d’En Vau is around medium difficulty and includes trails full of loose rocks. Therefore, you must dress appropriately for this hike. Even if you think you are just going to the beach, this hike can not be done in flip flops, and it is also risky to go in sports shoes. While some people may do this, they often get hurt so please remember to be responsible on the trail and bring beach clothes with you to change at the bottom.
Clothing Essentials:
Hiking pants: Ideally bring hiking pants that can be made into long shorts, in case it gets warm.
Rain Jacket: Even if the weather report says it will be sunny, make sure to bring a rain jacket just in case! If you have rain pants, then it could be a great idea to bring them as well.
Hiking shoes: Proper hiking shoes are a must when hiking in the Calanques National Park. The trail down to Calanque d’En Vau has lots of loose pebbles and the extra support these shoes provide will be very useful.
Swimsuit: I highly recommend that you bring a swimsuit with you in case you feel like going for a swim when you get to the beach!
Waterproof shoes: The beach at Calanque d’En Vau is a pebble beach. Since it may hurt to walk around I highly recommend bringing any form of waterproof shoes or sandals with you so that it doesn’t hurt to go in the water!
General Essentials:
Hiking poles: While these are not necessary, they are highly recommended. If you do not have a high fitness level, I urge you to bring hiking poles to help you on the trail. In general, these could be a great idea for all hikers. Not only can they give you a little support on the ascent, but they come in extra handy during the descent for stabilization and to reduce the stress put on your knees.
Water: Make sure to bring enough water! This area is typically warm all year round and there is nowhere to fill up your water on the trail. Ideally, bring 3-4 liters per person.
Food: There is no place to get food on the trail here, so make sure to bring enough food to last the day. Remember that you may want to combine some hikes and go swimming. Make sure to bring enough food to sustain yourself for this.
Towel: If you plan to go for a swim then make sure to remember a towel. You don’t want to have to hike back in wet clothes.
Rain cover for your bag: If it starts to rain, there is a limited amount of places to hide on the trail and find cover. Therefore, I highly recommend bringing a rain cover for your bag to protect your valuables. This little hack has saved me my camera several times 😅.
Hiking Details
Distance: ~ 10 km in total, not including Belvédère d’En Vau.
Difficulty: Medium.
Time needed: 3 – 4 hours. It takes around 1.5 hours to reach Calanque d’En Vau, without taking into account the stops at the Calanques on the way. Plan to spend around 6 – 7 hours in total if the weather is good.
Elevation gain: ~ 200 meters.
Type of trail: Possibility for both out-and-back (same trail) or a loop trail.
Hiking Directions to Calanque d’En Vau
(step-by-step guide)
Port de Cassis to Calanque de Port-Miou
Start your hike from Port de Cassis (or any other place in Cassis) and walk towards Calanque de Port-Miou. From the center of Cassis, it will take just under 30 minutes to walk to Port-Miou. You will walk through the town along the roads for most of this part of the trail. If you bring a car then you will be able to skip this part since you can park by Calanque de Port-Miou. However, a car is definitely not necessary as this is a very easy walk.
Once you arrive at Calanque de Port-Miou, consider taking a small detour to Belvédère de Port-Miou. This lookout spot gives you a great view over the port! It takes 15 minutes to walk out to the viewpoint so this will in total add 30 minutes to your hike. However, this is also a very easy walk and in my opinion worth the extra little detour.
Calanque de Port-Miou to Calanque de Port Pin
Once you are ready to continue your hike, walk along the coast of Calanque de Port-Miou for 20 minutes until you reach Calanque de Port Pin. This is a very easy and straightforward part of the hike as you simply walk on the path along the water. Once you reach Port Pin, you will find a large beach by the water. The Calanque de Port Pin is a beautiful location and I recommend taking a few minutes to enjoy the views here. However, the beach does not compare to that of Calanque d’En Vau, so don’t go in the water just yet.
Calanque de Port Pin to Calanque d’En Vau
The trail from Calanque de Port Pin to Calanque d’En Vau is the hardest part of the hike and takes around one hour. This is when the elevation starts to kick in. There are two different ways to reach Calanque d’En Vau. The fastest route takes around 45 minutes with a direct inland trail. To take this route, you will find the trail starting by the back of the beach at Port Pin. Alternatively, the scenic route, which is a little longer and will take around an hour, runs along the coast. The starting point of this trail is at the same spot as the inland option, simply take the left route, instead of going straight.
Which trail should you pick?
Personally, we took the inland trail back and forth since we were set on reaching the viewpoint over Calanque d’En Vau before the storm started. If the weather is good then I highly recommend taking the scenic coastal route to enjoy a variety of beautiful lookout points along the way. If you choose the inland route, then you can walk towards the panoramic viewpoint once you reach the top, but it will add a slight detour. By taking the scenic route, you anyways pass these along on your trail. Then on your way back to Cassis, you can always take the inland route to shorten the hike and get back faster.
Detour: Belvédère d’En Vau
After taking some hours to enjoy the beach at Calanque d’En Vau, you have the possibility of hiking to Belvédère d’En Vau for a stunning view over the Calanque. While you could take this detour before hiking down, I wouldn’t recommend it if you would like to beat the crowds at the beach. Instead, since you anyways have to hike up to reach Cassis, you can take the detour on your return trip. At the beach, you will find a trail with a sign leading to the famous viewpoint. It takes an hour to reach the viewpoint. Even though it takes some extra effort, this is one of the best views in Calanque d’En Vau.
Then from Belvédère d’En Vau, it will take just under 2 hours to reach Cassis again. To hike back, simply take the same trail back to Vallon d’en Vau and then choose the direct inland trail to Port Pin. From there, take the same route back to Cassis.
Where to stay while hiking to Calanque d’En Vau
The ideal place to stay while hiking to Calanque d’En Vau is Cassis. This charming fisherman village lies at the edge of the Calanques National Park and it is a beautiful town to visit in itself. Its convenient location means that you do not need a car to reach the hiking trail to Calanque d’En Vau. Therefore I would highly recommend staying overnight in Cassis. Otherwise, you can also stay in Marseille and take bus L078 to Cassis as described above. If you are traveling by car, then you could also consider staying in other villages in the area since you will have more flexibility.
That concludes my guide on how to hike to Calanque d’En Vau, often nicknamed the prettiest place in the Calanques National Park. I absolutely loved hiking in this national park and I hope that this guide has convinced you to add Calanque d’En Vau to your South of France Itinerary.
