Part 5

Road trip from Nice to Marseille. The last part consists of Route des Crêtes, a long, winding road that connects La Ciotat to Cassis and is an integral part of the Calanques National Park. Over the 17 km  distance and 400 m climb there are many view points over the Mediterranean Sea and the National parc des Calanques.

The Calanques National Park is a relatively recently established park, which was created in 2012. It's the first national park in Europe to be land, sea, island and peri-urban.  Before venturing on land or sea side in the massif of the Calanques, it is absolutely necessary to document  the conditions of access in real time. In some hollidays the park or some of the routes are closed for visitors. Measures are taken to ensure the protection of the natural environment against irreversible damage that may come  from  the development  of activities in the park. In summer due to high temepratures and powerful winds there are risks of fast expanding fires.

A calanque is a narrow, steep-walled inlet that is developed in limestone, dolomite, or other carbonate strata and found along the Mediterranean coast. A calanque is a steep-sided valley formed within karstic regions either by fluvial erosion or the collapse of the roof of a cave that has been subsequently partially submerged by a rise in sea level.

The komoot route was extended. Starting from south Marseille, the first stop was at Calanque de Sormiou. From there are different, less populated routes to Calanque de Morgiou. The route to Calanque de Sugiton is better to be done from Morgiou, since there is a abrupt portion, which in rainy conditions can be really slippery, especially if you are coming from Calanque de Sugiton. There is also a vertikal descend on a ladder before arriving in Calanque de Sugition. Otherwise it's a relaxed stroll.

Day 15 - Bike trip through Marseille until Les Goudes

Time of the year: September

Les Goudes is maybe  the closest remain to what the city-port of Marseille used to look like in the past before becoming a more modern city. Les Goudes is composed of real little fishermen's huts and restaurants.  To reach the  village of Les Goudes, it is  better to use the public transports, parking places are available but limited, especially during high season.