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September 16, 2018 - Hike in the Calanques de Marseille to Cassis

The calanques are a set of dramatic limestone inlets (similar to a fjord) spanning nearly

 13 miles from Marseille to Cassis— a playground of cliffs and hiking trails, remote

and unspoiled. Each isolated cove unveils its secrets, the pure white limestone

casting turquoise reflections on the still waters, hidden in the coves.

Jagged limestone paths led us from one spectacular inlet to the next.

ABOVE LEFT - First we headed into the forest.

ABOVE MIDDLE - Our first view of the jagged limestone cliffs of the calanques

ABOVE RIGHT - The Calanques de Marseille, France's newest national park,

was established in 2012. It stretches between Marseilles and Cassis.

ABOVE LEFT - Our destination today is Cassis, as we head south.

ABOVE MIDDLE - Judith stopped for a view as we crossed the first ridge

ABOVE RIGHT - Our first view of the Mediterranean Sea.

Looking out at an island off the coast

ABOVE LEFT- Yes, we are both on this hike today.

ABOVE MIDDLE - Lunch under a shady tree on top of a cliff.

ABOVE RIGHT - More greenery than we expected - on top and up the cliffs.

ABOVE LEFT - Walking around the top of the cliffs

ABOVE MIDDLE - Looking down into the clear turquoise water of the inlet.

ABOVE RIGHT - Beautiful turquoise water below, with boats and paddle boarders.

ABOVE LEFT - Looking from one inlet to the next.

ABOVE MIDDLE - View from the next cliff

ABOVE RIGHT - Beach at the end of the inlet.

ABOVE - Our hotel in Cassis