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a selection of hikes

With the Train de la Côte Bleue

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  4. With the Train de la Côte Bleue: a selection of hikes

The Côte Bleue, which gets its name from the beautiful colour of the water, stretches from Marseille to Martigues to the West of the Mediterranean city. With its calanques in colours ranging from white to orange, sandy or pebble beaches and heavenly creeks, discover it right away as you follow all the stops on the Marseille-Miramas TER train line.
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Published on 20 April 2021

On the Sentier des Douaniers

All aboard the train along the Côte Bleue

This year, we’ve chosen a holiday without the car on the banks of the Mediterranean. On the menu: train rides, hikes in the open air and exceptional views. Let’s set off on the Sentier des Douaniers, where 62 km and 17 walking circuits await you with pine trees, holm oak and the delicious smell of thyme. Each leg can be done from a TER train station , just validate your ticket and lace up your boots. Our first hike starts from L’Estaque , which is both a village and a quarter of Marseille with its little harbour where you can buy chichis fregis or panisses to munch with your toes in the water. It’s also from here that the Chemin des Peintres, a 3.5 km/around 2 hour walk takes you on an outing to trace the link between this quarter and painting. Cézanne, Braque, Monticelli… many are the painters who came her to find inspiration.

The Niolon-La Redonne circuit

From one calanque to the next

Get off at Niolon station! Just next to the harbour, the Niolon-la Redonne circuit takes you on a discovery of Marseille’s most beautiful calanques. Take the steep trail for Méjean. After an hour’s walk, you won’t be disappointed by the splendid Calanque de l’Erevine , with its turquoise water and its view of L’Erevine island on one side and the viaduct on the other. Back to the Calanque de Niolon which is famous for its seabed. Diving enthusiasts meet here regularly to enjoy its clear and animated waters! If you go further West, you will come to the access to Calanque de Méjean in Ensuès-la-Redonne. This little harbour surrounded by cliffs makes a pretty postcard picture.

The Sentier du Lézard

From Carry-le-Rouet to Sausset-les-Pins

Next it’s on to Carry-le-Rouet to cover the Sentier du Lézard: 1.5 km of footpath alongside the water, with explanatory panels on wildlife. An easy trail for an ideal family holiday without the car. There’s always something going on all year round in Carry-le-Rouet. At the weekend in February, sea urchins take pride of place on the long tables for Les Oursinades, and in summerime, you can go on a guided snorkeling tour in the Parc Marin de la Côte Bleue . Just nearby, the walk takes you to the village of Sausset-les-Pins. We love the harbour’s atmosphere, the terraces around it, the rocks by the water which are perfect viewpoints to look out to sea or enjoy an ice cream. And don’t forget! Between Carry and Sausset, you can also surf!

The Sentier de la Couronne

Beach atmosphere in Martigues

Your hike in the South of France doesn’t stop here. The Côte Bleue stretches to Martigues and particularly the village of La Couronne.There are cCampsites, beaches and exceptional panoramas dotted all along the coastline. If you like fine sandy beaches, the 300-m long Plage du Verdon is just what you need. And you can also hire pedalos! At the other end of the scale, the discreet little Plage de la Couronne Vielle is in a bay which you are sure to fall in love with: a mixture of sand and pebbles and the red and white lighthouse of La Couronne to complete the setting. For another spot, climb up above the pretty La Saulce beach. You can admire the blue tints of the water from the cliff. And lastly, the beautiful Plage de Sainte Croix beach unfolds from the Sentier de la Couronne. A recreational and health trail is available facing the sea – you never get bored with it.

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