Calanque of l'Escu

The calanque de l’Escu is a dead-end overhung by south east high cliffs. The wild and isolated setting is beautiful.

You can get there through the Walkyries woods, located in a corridor between cliffs and sea, or from Podestat, going though the vertiginous corniche du Pêcheur, a road that will give you thrills. The flat rocks on the seaside are covered in part with the many blocks detached from the wall. Leaning back against the cliffs, the view of Riou is outstanding.

In the cave under the cliff there is a rock reservoir. Nobody really knows its origin, but it could be two local smugglers’, to collect freshwater depending on the season. The two hiking paths going to the calanque de l’Escu are very pleasant and protected under the cliff. It is a nice area in the shade any time of the day.

The calanque de l’Escu is perfectly protected from the wind, and therefore ideal to hike. (However swimming is not recommended because of the sewer in the calanque de Cortiou nearby (1km). For the same reason, avoid this calanque when the wind comes from the East because of the bad smell)

How to get there

  • Duration: 1h (From the Col de Sormiou) or 2h (From Callelongue)
  • Route:
    • From the col de Sormiou : Follow the hiking trail GR98-51) and go beyond the col de Cortiou. Going down, take the green-marked path that goes to the l'anse de la Mélette and through the low part of the cirque des Walkyries.
    • From Callelongue : Follow the hiking trail (GR98-51) along the sea a go beyond the calanque de Podestat. When the GR is going up above an weirdly-shaped isolated rock, take the green-marked path going down to the sea. Climb one step down then the path goes up to the beautiful corniche du pêcheur, that overhangs the calanque de l’Escu on 40m. Be careful, the cliff path is narrow and risky. At the pas du pêcheur, it gets scary to see the emptiness under the path, despite a comforting cable. Then go along the cliff path and go down the pas du bénitier with a second cable, and go back to l’Escu.

Access to l’Escu impossible – Trails closed

Since summer 2025, the following trails have been closed to traffic:

  • Trail (Green No. 5) that descends into the Cirque des Walkyries, leads to the Escu cistern, and continues along the coast via the Fisherman’s Corniche.
  • Brown trail of the Upper Pas de la Melette.

The closure of the only route crossing the Escu cove now makes this remarkable site inaccessible. This historic path, appreciated by experienced hikers, could probably have continued to be valued through appropriate signage and clear public information. This decision highlights the complexity of reconciling the preservation of natural environments, the responsibility of site managers, and responsible access to natural areas, with the hope that a collective reflection may lead to shared solutions in the future.