Where to hike with your dog in the Calanques?
Do you want to hike with your dog in the Calanques but are afraid of going through a section that is too difficult for him? Here are the most beautiful hikes in the Calanques that are easy to access with a dog!
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I don't know about you, but Musher and I love hiking in the Calanques! The Calanques of Marseille and those of Cassis are the best known, yet the towns of Carry-Le-Rouet and La Ciotat also have their pearls 😍 Ready to take in the sights? Fan of hiking with your dog? I selected you 6 favorite hikes to do in the Calanques with your dog. I tried the creeks near Cassis during the last holidays with my dog: it was magical. I hope to make you want to try the Calanques National Park with your dog.
There are, however, precautions to take before your vacation with your dog in the Calanques, I advise you at the bottom of this article!
Calanque d’En-Vau and Belvédère d’En-Vau
Let's go for this article 100% hiking in the Calanques National Park. And I start this top 6 easy hikes to do with your dog with my favorite. I say “easy” because it is accessible with a dog, that is to say without a ladder or rope to pass through. But not necessarily “easy” for the calves! Some of the hikes below are a bit stingy for untrained calves!
The view from the En-Vau lookout is one of the most beautiful we have ever seen with Musher! Starting from the Port-Miou car park on the Cassis peninsula, you can reach the Calanque de Port-Pin in 30 minutes. It is easy to access with a dog and there is a small beach. Its accessibility unfortunately makes it very busy for most of the year. At Christmas, there were about a hundred of us on this mini beach :/ We quickly fled the place…
To reach the En-Vau belvedere, there are 2 possibilities: follow the coast or cut from behind. We chose to climb to follow the coast. With my little girl in the backpack, I can tell you that we had a heatstroke! Hike for a good half hour with your dog along the coast, and you will arrive at the famous En-Vau belvedere! It's a little more sporty than the Calanque de Port-Pin, but the view is magical. You will have a magnificent panorama of the previous coves, the bay of Cassis, but also of Cap Canaille and the cliffs of Cassis on the other side of the town.
On the other hand, you will not be able to go down to the Calanque d’En-Vau : it's de-escalation, impossible with a dog. Except maybe for small dogs who can fit in a backpack.
To return from the En-Vau belvedere, you can take the same path, but we preferred to go around the Forêt de la Fontasse with Musher. So, I was able to let her go a little so she could let off some steam. It was impossible to leave her free on the path along the seaside: it was too dangerous because there were a lot of people.
Allow at least 2h30 to complete this loop of just over 7km.
Saltwater Calanque
Here is yet another magnificent cove, this time in Carry-Le-Rouet! The Calanque des Eaux Salées has a beach with a magnificent view of the cove and the pretty Viaduc des Eaux Salées.
To access the Calanque des Eaux Salées, a 4 km loop is indicated with yellow markings, starting from the Rouet beach car park.
You can of course do this hike with your dog, however he must be in good shape. Indeed, the path is slightly steep and steep with some steep stairs.
This cove, its pebble beach and its clear water will create a vivid memory for you with your dog!
Pomègue Island
The island has several coves, each more splendid than the last. The coves in the west of the island, Crine and Escondelle, are the place ideal for enjoying a magnificent sunset. After a short hike with your dog, make yourself comfortable with your picnic, and welcome to paradise!
It is accessible after a 30-minute crossing by sea shuttle from the Old Port of Marseille. This crossing is paid only for humans, but unfortunately permitted only for small dogs that can be carried in arms.
An easy-to-access concrete path crosses the length of Pomège Island for 2,5 km. Although it is sometimes steep, the trail can still be used with a stroller.
Out of season, the island is not very busy, so perfect for leisurely hiking with your dog!
The Route des Crêtes between Cassis and la Ciotat
The Route des Crêtes connects the towns of La Ciotat and Cassis along the coast. I encourage you to follow the parallel trail for a 12 km hike with your dog. You should therefore plan half a day. It's one way, but you can easily make a round trip from a parking lot on the road. On the other hand, I advise you to go early, because the parking lots are small and therefore quickly full.
The path is steep but it's still reasonable with a dog. On the other hand, the Route des Crêtes is accessible by car if you want to enjoy the many viewpoints without hiking. And new for 2024: from March, the road will be pedestrianized every Sunday, following a decision by the Mayor of Cassis. You will still have to remain vigilant to the many joggers and cyclists who use it.
You also have several loops that leave from the Route des Crêtes. For example, the Loop of the Soubeyrannes Cliffs is easy enough to hike with a dog. It measures approximately 2,6 km from the Sommet de la Grande Tête.
Once again, the Route des Crêtes offers magnificent perspectives for memorable sunsets over the Calanques. But be careful: the parking lots quickly become full. For my birthday, we wanted to go see the sunset from the Crest Road… We completely missed out! Impossible to park and when we finally managed to find a small space, time to get Musher out of the car and our little girl, the show was over… Anticipate a little to have the chance to see the sunset 😉
Massif of Marseilleveyre
The Marseilleveyre Massif includes several peaks, each with breathtaking views of the Calanques! However, you will have to earn them, because the climbs are physical, especially when hiking with a dog!
You can depart from the small port in the Calanque de Callelongue. Admire this picturesque port and the view of the cove, it's worth it!
Be careful, these are the first coves accessible from Marseille so they are the most used trails. The stones are worn and smooth and on certain busy days, you will be stuck in the queue… No flip-flops, please! It’s a cast ankle guaranteed!
The Massif de Marseilleveyre is indicated at the start of the colored marked trails. I advise you to stick with these! In fact, off trails, you can quickly come across passages with climbing or ladders, which are difficult to pass with a dog. Departing from the port indicated, you will not be hassled.
The summits will offer you beautiful panoramas of the city of Marseille below, but also of its islands and the port of Goudes.
Sugiton Calanque
The Calanque de Sugiton, another gem of Marseille! It is known to be one of the most impressive coves in the Calanques National Park. This cove is definitely worth it, though its access is regulated from June 15 and throughout the high season. In fact, you need to book to visit its surroundings. + info here.
With a dog, you will only be able to access it from the Luminy campus, a district of Marseille. Indeed, from the Morgiou district, there is unfortunately a ladder just before arriving in the cove!
However, from Luminy, you won't be disappointed. The path to get to the Calanque de Sugiton has the advantage of being shaded and well marked. This hike will take you around 1 hour with your dog.
I recommend a short round trip to the Sugiton belvedere, for an exceptional 360° view! The path is again well signposted. On the sea side, you can marvel at the cliffs of the Calanques de Marseille, Cap Canaille to the east and Île Riou to the west. On the land side, the mountains of Mont Puget to the north and Grande Candelle to the east will certainly delight you!
We love going hiking in the coves with Musher, but it's still very dangerous. We are often at the edge of cliffs without any protection, so for Musher and I who are afraid of heights, it's not always fun! The paths are so busy that the stones we walk on have become smooth; it only takes a little rain for them to become a joyous ice rink! To avoid struggling with a leash or lanyard that gets tangled in our legs and a Musher that pulls on the descents, I now use a retractable leash. It changes life! You now only have to adjust the length depending on where you are, the leash rewinds by itself, and you no longer risk dropping someone.
Where to sleep in the Calanques with your dog?
Every good hike starts with a good night's sleep! To put down your suitcases with peace of mind and prepare your holidays with your dog, we have selected the best QUALIDOG accommodations for you. Your dog will therefore be welcome and will be able to fully enjoy your vacation in the Calanques!
Find more accommodation tested by our Wouafer's in the Calanques on our menu.
Prepare your hikes in the Calanques with your dog
Well, to start, I have to be honest with you: the hikes in the Calanques are clearly to avoid during the summer with a dog. Indeed, the coves are a real furnace, it is so hot and there is very little shade. In our dogs whose pads are in contact with hot stones, a heatstroke Happens quickly and can be fatal. Plus, it's the season when the region is overcrowded, and you can barely take a step aside without bumping into someone. I therefore strongly advise against it! With Musher, we tested hiking in the coves during the Christmas period and even if there are people, it remains tolerable.
The soil of the Calanques is abrasive because they are limestone. If you plan to hike there for a long time with your dog, it's good to prepare your pads with an baume or if he needs it, to accustom him to wearing breathable dog boots to remove during breaks.
In addition, here is the equipment that I advise you to take on each hike with your dog:
- a dispenser bottle : always have water with you because fountains and refreshments are very rare, it is therefore vital to take water, especially if it is hot;
- a gourd for you too !
- a lanyard or an retractable leash because your dog must be tied up throughout the Calanques National Park. It is also a significant safety feature if he ventures too close to the void;
- Good shoes, sunglasses and a hat for you
If you have a lot to carry, a pack bag for your dog may be worth it. Look at our comparison of pack bags to choose your equipment carefully.
Although the recommended hikes are easily located or marked, I still advise you to take a IGN card. The Calanques National Park website also has a map library with several maps including different hiking routes. These maps show you delicate passages, which are therefore impassable with a dog.
In case of strong wind or rain, access to certain coves may be regulated or even prohibited. So always remember to check the weather before going hiking with your dog, as well as the news on the National Park website. In the middle of summer, there are often restrictions due to the risk of fire. As said above, paths slip a lot when they are wet and certain dizzying passages can become really dangerous !
Another danger which is becoming more and more frequent: processionary caterpillars. These nasty critters have stinging hairs that can create serious inflammatory reactions if your dog steps on them, breathes them in, or worse, eats them. At the slightest contact, don't hesitate, go to the nearest veterinarian! To avoid an emergency, keep your dog on a lead and check the ground before breaks.
A little common sense advice: remember to bring bags to collect your dog's droppings. The paths are narrow, and it's quite disgusting to find a turd every 50m
Finally, pay attention to creeks where your dog could swim, make sure there are no jellyfish.
After the effort, the comfort
Whether after a one-hour, half-day or full-day hike with your dog, you will definitely need to regain your strength! Here is a selection of restaurants accessible with a dog in the Calanques just here.
There you have it, I have given you my best advice for discovering the coves with your dog! I hope this article will be useful to you in preparing your future hikes in the Calanques with your dog. Enjoy and remember to tag us in the photos you post on social networks with #emmenetonchien!