UKC

I have a business trip to Marseille next week and it looks like I will have a morning free to check out the Calanques quickly.

I don't mind an early start, and was wondering how long it takes to access the Calanques d'En Vau,, and where is the best place to park? I will be staying in Aubagne so only a short (half hour?) drive away.

I would need to be back at the car by 12 noon (ish) to head into Marseille for a couple of meetings so am also open to suggestions for any more accessible places if the En Vau area isn't a good option.

Also, any recommendations for good DWS traverses and or routes to solo (I recall a few long ridges in the guide I had a few years back).

En Vau takes a while to hike into and out.
Much more "efficient" for interesting climbing closer to parking is around Calanque de Figuerolles and Parc du Mugel by the city of La Ciotat (straightforward drive from Aubagne, helps to use GPS to get thru city streets to reach climbing trailheads).

* DWS around Ansi de Figuerolles (need modern guidebook).

* Great long solo / scramble is the West ridge of the Bec de l'Aigle. Portions of the ridge overhang so you can climb on the edge looking straight down into the blue sea.
English-language route description:
https://www.camptocamp.org/routes/443721/en/bec-de-l-aigle-w-ridge-traverse

* Even better if have time and confident solo-ing one 5a move is to precede the W ridge with La Traversée des Parpèles -- English-language description:
https://www.camptocamp.org/routes/219785/en/bec-de-l-aigle-tour

. . . (but the Parc is closed at night, so might need some cleverness to access the E end, if want to start early enough to have time to get back to Aubagne by lunch).

* Fun and shorter near there is Le Capucin de la Ciotat (the most remarkable-looking rock on the coasts of France).
for English-language route description . . .
https://www.camptocamp.org/waypoints/442131/en/capucin-de-la-ciotat

Not in "the Calanques" proper (tho the new National Park comes close to including those) ... but very remarkable seaside solo / scrambling.

Ken

In reply to kenr:

Some great info and ideas there - thanks, Ken! Will definitely check out that area as it looks good.