The tale of this weekend outing in the Parc National des Calanques, bordering the eastern edges of Marseilles, France, can be summed up in one word, busy. Not as in bees, more like ant colony on the move, or cattle herd climbing to pasture in spring.  Not surprising given the proximity of the nearly million people living in the second largest city in France. Still, I was surprised by the constant flow of nature seekers, from the jam-packed parking lot on the heights of Cassis, through the Calanques of Port Miou and Port-Pin, all along the three miles (my estimate) of red and white trail leading to the Calanque d’En-Vau, Coming and going, running, walking, trudging, even climbing, young and old and everything in between made their way through the mediterranean chaparral to one of the many prized, praised, and thankfully protected beaches at the tips of the inlets known as Calanques. It was, on the bright side, a display of the human diversity of the area. It’s nice to think of all these people wanting to spend their leisure time in nature rather than in a shopping mall or in front of a screen, but for a spoiled Southern Californian, used to enjoying the wilderness without the company of crowds, it was a culture shock. I saw more humans every minute of the three hours in the ‘Parc’ than I see in a whole day of hiking in the San Gabriels; in the future, I’ll think twice before maligning the dozens found climbing Mt Baldy on a breezy summer weekend. But, I will certainly follow the same rule I apply in my home neck of the woods on my next visit to the natural playgrounds of the South of France: only on weekdays and avoid holidays. Oh, and come prepared. All parties must bring plenty of water, proper shoes, sunscreen, hats and daypacks to carry the above, as well as the obligatory baguette.

 

WP120_la plage – calanque d’en vau from chris worland on Vimeo.