Hiking in the heart of the pine forest on the Gardiole pass
The calanques are not just coves and beaches! The natural park holds other treasures, more secret. Marseille Tourism recommends a hike to the Col de la Gardiole. Just imagine a trail crossing pine forests, large green spaces for picnics, vineyards, and superb views of the calanques between Marseille and Cassis.
You will pass through the Col de la Gardiole, the Puits de Cancel, through ruins, and valleys. Finally, you can cautiously approach the "gouffre aux quatre trous" (the four-hole chasm)… You can also visit the Calanque d'En Vau. Make sure to bring water, a cap, sunglasses, and of course, a good pair of shoes! For the more adventurous, why not try mountain biking?
How to get to the starting point of the hike?
By car From Marseille City Hall (21.8 km - 1h) : Take Rue Caisserie. Continue straight to Place de Lenche. Continue straight on Rue de la Cathédrale. Continue straight to Place de la Major. Continue straight on Avenue Robert Schuman. Turn left onto Boulevard des Dames for 150m. Take a left. Join the A55. Continue straight towards Toulon for 3.6 km. Enter Marseille. Take exit 1 and continue on Tunnel Prado-Sud for 1.2 km. Turn right onto Boulevard Michelet for 2.6 km. At the roundabout of Mazargues, continue straight on Avenue de Lattre de Tassigny for 2.3 km. At the roundabout, take a left onto Avenue de Lattre de Tassigny and continue for 100m. Exit Marseille and continue for 600m. At the roundabout of Professeur Louis Pierrein, take a left onto Route Léon Lachamp and continue for 8.4 km. Turn right onto Route Gaston Rebuffat (D559).