Trail running in the Calanques, between Marseille and Cassis
In summary
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Sports
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Duration3 days
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LevelIntermediate
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DestinationThe Calanques / Blackcurrant
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AgeFrom the age of 18
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CO₂-Emissions15.26 kg CO2
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Type of stayIn a group
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Languages
French
English
In a few words
Embark on a training camp to discover the Calanques National Park : between Marseille and Cassis , you'll explore a magnificent park with remarkable biodiversity and its fascinating limestone cliffs ! As the first metropolitan national park, you can enjoy the mineral beauty and stunning landscapes, all with minimal carrying: we'll be based at our base camp located on the Marseille seafront . This trip will undoubtedly inspire you to run the Calanques Trail , a race that has been a fixture in the region for many years and is organized by the Marseille Provence Alpine Club. Furthermore, during the days, you'll have the opportunity to learn running techniques that will allow you to improve your trail running skills: uphill running, downhill running, running on rough terrain, using poles, etc. You'll address all the issues related to preparation and performance in trail running. The trip is designed so that runners seeking sustained to extreme intensity can thrive, thanks to the presence of several trail running coaches and adapted routes.
The highlights
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A trail running coach to provide advice tailored to your training.
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Technical workshops (poles, downhill technique, effort management, etc.) to help you progress
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Comfortable accommodation for friendly moments among trail runners
Photos
Sport
Level
Trail running
The expert's opinion
This course is designed for athletic individuals in good physical condition. We aim to create small groups of similar ability levels so that everyone can enjoy themselves on the trails and progress at their own pace.
In figures
Trail and road running
- Average duration/day: 7h
- Average distance/day: 28 km
- Average daily elevation gain: 1217 m
Management
The stay is supervised by a qualified specialist who will be able to adapt to meet your needs and desires.
Program
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Calanques of Port Miou, Port Pin and En Vau — Grande Echelle
- Activity Trail and road running
- Duration of the activity 6h30
- Distance 28 km
- Positive elevation gain 1300 m
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
Welcome at 10:30 am in front of the Cassis Casino.
We left our luggage at our accommodation, a stone's throw from the port.
Initiation (15 km — 500 D+):
11:30am-4pm: Hiking-running outing departing from the port of Cassis.
Head towards the Calanques of Port Miou . You will then take a technical path that runs along the coast before returning inland to Cassis!
Advanced level (28 km — 1,300 m elevation gain):
11:30am-6pm: Hiking and running outing starting from the port of Cassis.
Head towards the Calanques of Port Miou , then you will take a technical path that runs along the coast before returning inland to Cassis!
Evening and meals at leisure (not included in the price) in the alleys around the port.
Day 1 -
Sugiton, Morgiou, Sormiou, and Marseilleveyre Calanques
- Activity Trail and road running
- Duration of the activity 9h
- Distance 31 km
- Positive elevation gain 1400 m
- Accommodation 2-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
Initiation (20 km — 650 D+):
8am: Transfer by city bus to Luminy, from where we set off to explore the surrounding calanques : Sugiton, Morgiou and Sormiou .
5pm: Return by city bus to Cassis.
Advanced level (31 km — 1,400 m elevation gain):
8am-5pm : Hiking and running outing in the calanques of Sugiton, Morgiou, Sormiou and Marseilleveyre with a picnic by the sea.
Evening and meals at leisure (not included in the price) in the alleys around the port.
Day 2 -
Baou de la Saoupe — Cap Canaille — Dent du Chat
- Activity Trail and road running
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Distance 23 km
- Positive elevation gain 950 m
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
Initiation (17 km — 750 D+):
9am-3pm: A day hike-run outing towards Cap Canaille , Baou de la Saoupe and Dent du Chat , from where we will have views of the Calanques on the side of La Ciotat.
Picnic by the sea.
Advanced level (23 km — 950 m elevation gain):
9am-3pm: Day hike-run outing towards Cap Canaille , Baou de la Saoupe and Dent du Chat , from where we will have views of the Calanques on the side of La Ciotat.
Picnic by the sea
The course ends at 3:30 pm at the Cassis Casino , from where you can take the bus back to the train station.
Day 3
Accommodation
Located in the heart of Cassis, just steps from the port and the beach, the Hotel Cassitel is the ideal starting point for a trail running holiday. After a day on the trails of the Calanques, you'll appreciate its comfort, its warm atmosphere, and its immediate proximity to the village's restaurants and activities, allowing you to relax in an authentic Mediterranean setting.
Access
Carpooling is possible from Marseille via the WhatsApp group.
Go to the starting point
Price details
The price includes
- Supervision by a mountain guide specializing in trail running
- Accommodation for 2 nights in a shared twin room
- Breakfasts and lunches (picnics) on days 2 and 3
The price does not include
- The meal on day 1 and the dinners
- Drinks
- Cancellation and repatriation insurance
- Transportation to the meeting point and from the end-of-internship location
Options
- Flex fare and insurance
Practical information
Specific formalities
Specifics
Before your departure, check with the embassy or consulate regarding the entry and stay requirements for your destination country. You can also find this information on the France Diplomatie website ( https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/dossiers-pays/ ).
In the case of flights with stopovers operated by different airlines, also check the entry requirements of the countries you are transiting through.
It is your responsibility to ensure you are in compliance, particularly regarding the validity of your identity documents (for example, some countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after your return) , visa requirements, necessary vaccinations, and health recommendations. And don't forget to consider any customs restrictions and other potential requirements of your destination or transit country.
ℹ️ Information may change up to the departure date, remember to regularly check official websites.
Equipment
Equipment to bring
- A 5 to 15 L backpack
- A pair of sunglasses
- A plastic bag for waste
- Bars, dried fruit...
- A little cash
- A toiletry bag
- Bath towel
- A pocket knife
- Earplugs or ear balls
- A headlamp
- Trail running poles if you wish
Clothing to bring
- Trail running shoes suitable for mountain running
- A waterproof or windproof jacket
- A warm long-sleeved top
- Tights or long trousers in the bag
- Trail-specific socks
- A hat and thin gloves
- A change of clothes for the duration of the internship
- Spare shoes
- An outfit for after the race
They traveled with us