Tag Archives: Hiking Les Calanques

Aug14

A solo, lonely but happy, walk through Les Calanques

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Sunday, 14-July-2024


I was sad and lonely after dropping my Mom and Steve off at the airport. So I went for a walk.

We’d had a great week together – Exploring Aix en Provence, appreciating the quiet of Cassis, eating an absolute ton of amazing food… and just relaxing and enjoying a vacation (in contrast to the Adventure that I’d been on). Finding myself alone again was interesting, melancholy, and a little bit challenging… so I did what I try to always do when I’m feeling blue, and I went out into nature.


One of the nice parts of Cassis is just how close to the Calanques it is. I didn’t have to drive, I didn’t have to get a bike or a scooter (not that Cassis has either of them), all I had to do was walk.

In contrast to the first day I was in Cassis, I prepared a bit better for this excursion: I picked up a sandwich, of course, but I also tossed in a cold drink, some water, and slathered on a metric ton of sunscreen before venturing out into the slightly oppressive heat of the day.

Part of the lessons that I’d learned was when I departed, alongside what I brought. I didn’t try going out into the heat immediately after getting home – first, I relaxed, napped, and had a bit of espresso to power myself up… and to let the heat of the day dissipate a bit. Siestas aren’t only for Spaniards, don’t’cha’know.

With that done, I headed in.



The hike didn’t eliminate all of my feelings of melancholy, of course. But between the sun, the drink, the Sandwich, my book, and the laughter of all the people cliff-diving and swimming…

Well, life isn’t all the bad.

Aug5

A walk out to Port Mieu

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Sunday, 07-July-2024


I had some time before my Mom and Steve arrived in France, but I frankly wasn’t feeling super energetic… so instead of trying for a big hike like I had the day before with Mount Pugot I went easy and just took a stroll into Les Calanques, the national park right up against Cassis.

It was a walk that I’d taken quite a few times in 2014, taking the trail up to the rock climbing areas that my friends and I explored and scaled, and it was interesting walking those same paths again ten years later. They felt vaguely familiar, though I could definitely tell that I’m a different person now than I was back when I first set foot on them.

I’ll admit, the lack of 50lbs of rock climbing gear definitely helped my mood too.

I’ll also admit, the bajillion degree day didn’t help my mood all that much, though… It wasn’t bad, per say, but it was definitely a challenge that kept me sticking to the shadows as I ascended and descended the various hills.



A really cool part about Les Calancques near Cassis, and Cassis itself in fact, is just how worn the marble is. (I am learning now that it may not actually be marble… but a form of limestone that wears down super smooth?) Basically, it’s like walking on an ice rink in many places… which is kind of fun in town, but on the steeper sections of the hiking trails it definitely adds an interesting challenge aspect to the descents.

As I walked, I enjoyed the memories coming back to me. I appreciated the quiet, and I embraced the calm surrounding me… in the sea of tourists and chaotic people heading to and from the various beaches that the trail lead to.

It was lovely. Absolutely lovely, and a perfect start into my (our!) adventures in Cassis.

Aug4

A hike up Mt. Puget

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Saturday, 06-July-2024



I had some time between leaving the B&B in Allauch and when I could check in at my rental in Cassis… So I went for a walk. A long walk. Up a mountain.

Because that’s how I walk.



I found the hike by way of AllTrails – an app that I started using in Oregon, and have found to be passably useful here in Europe. I’m sure that I’ll find a better option once I get settled into Dublin… but for now, it’s serving me just fine.

And, in an interesting coincidence, the hike I chose happened to be at one of the spots that I went climbing, back in 2014! I didn’t notice it until I was parked and heading in, but the University of Luminy stood out in my mind, harkening my memory back to ropes and climbing and baguettes.

I headed in, and headed up.

I melted, a bit, but the hiking was lovely none-the-less. I walked when I wanted to, rested when I wanted to, and snacked when the urge hit. I enjoyed the views, enjoyed the adventure, and appreciated the fresh air.

In short – it was absolutely glorious.



I finished up strong, timing the completion almost perfectly. I had just enough time to grab a quick salad before getting back on the road to Cassis… not too bad, if I do say so myself.