Hiking trail to get to the calanques de Port Pin and En-vau from Port Miou

The hike from the calanque de Port Miou (Cassis peninsula) will quickly take you to the calanque de Port pin and En vau. The path follows the itinerary of the GR98-51 trail (modified a few years ago). The path starts to go along the old limestone quarries, exploited from the XVIIIth century to build the quays of the big mediterranean ports: Marseille, Alger, Piraeus, along with the industrial making of whitewash until 1981. Then if you want to avoid the slippery rocks polished by the hikers, the new GR will be perfect. Otherwise I recommend you to go to the left on the old tracks of the GR, way nicer with an outstanding view on Port Miou. When you see Port Pin, you can take a short detour (150 meters to Cacau peak) to discover the local curiosity called the « trou souffleur » (blowing hole), or « Narine de Neptune » (Neptune’s nostril). It is a hole the size of a thumb, located above a half sunken cave. Because of the waves entering, you can hear a loud breath even a few meters away.

There is an other path to get to En vau, but longer: En-vau from la Gineste and la Gardiole.

Route information

• Distance / Duration: Port pin 2,3km (30min), En vau 3,8km (1h15)
  Plan the same walking duration for the way back.
• Starting point: Port miou
• Parking: On Cassis peninsula / Big parking (You have to pay) at the end of Avenue Notre Dame (daily parking price: 8€)
  In the summer, there are not enough free parking. So, instead of driving slowly and finaly go back out Cassis, you should directly use the parking des Gorguettes (Near the entrance of Cassis coming from Marseille). Shuttles allow you to get Cassis town center (near the casino) or the peninsula for only 1€60 the round trip.
• Difficulty level: Easy until Port min / Medium for En-vau. The path is very frequented.
  You have to be careful with the rocks that are extremely slippery on the part on the sea side in the old GR. In the descent to En-vau valley, don’t hesitate to use your hands.
  
  

Route from Cassis peninsula to Port-miou and Port Pin (GR98-51 - Easier itinerary)

• From the Cassis peninsula, take the green dotted path to join Port-miou. Next, follow the large track going along the calanque and the old limestone quarries (GR98-51 tracks, marked in red and white). After about 800 meters the track begins to go up and starts a big curve on the right. The path splits from the track and goes to the left. After 250 meters, the path is reached by the old path of Port Pin then goes down through the rocks and roots to the calanque de Port Pin.
  
  

Route from Cassis peninsula to Port miou and Port Pin (Old GR98-51 - Most beautiful itinerary)

• From the Cassis peninsula, take the green dotted path to join Port-miou. Next, follow the large track going along the calanque and the old limestone quarries (GR98-51 tracks, marked in red and white). After about 800 meters, after passing a building on your left and before the track starts to go up, take the old path of Port Pin on the left, marked with a black dotted line, going along the sea. Be careful with the slippery rocks!!! When you overlook Port Pin, turn right to get to the GR and go down to the calanque.

The rest of the route (from Port pin to En-vau)

• From the calanque de Port pin, take the GR98-51 path marked in red and white going up to the valley on the west side of the beach. Follow the path to the junction at the exit of the valley. Keep going straight, the path becomes more difficult with a 100 meter slope to walk down, with fallen rocks. Once you’re at the bottom, take the red path on the left going down to the calanque d’En-vau.