Capo d'Orto
Capo d'Orto summit above the Gulf of Porto: golden sunset light, views over the Calanques de Piana, a full-moon descent option.
Advice from the Vaïta team
I will be brief: I am not a fan of this hike
It is billed as taking an hour. If you are sure-footed, it is actually done in twenty minutes on the way up, and a little more coming back. But if you are at all unsteady on your feet, this walk can quickly turn into a nightmare: the distance is very short, but the path is in poor condition, with one section completely gullied. I would not recommend it to older walkers.
For children, on the other hand, it is great fun — as long as you do not carry too much. The walk itself is nothing exceptional, but the viewpoint at the end is genuinely pleasant, with a flat enough area for a wonderful picnic, facing the « Château Fort », which to my eye looks more like a stone table than a castle.
A word about the « Château Fort » itself
An even more dangerous path leads closer to that rock formation. Fortunately it is not waymarked, precisely because it can be dangerous. Stay on the picnic area and enjoy the view — do not try to reach it.
On the ground
The way back always hurts
The path has no proper steps, and the descent is far from comfortable. There are upsides all the same: parking is particularly easy, and the Tête de Chien rock itself is impressive and easy for children to scramble on.
So this hike suits the young far better than the old. Personally, I would much rather do the Mule Trail, which is far nicer.
Should you go anyway?
Only in two cases
If you still have time after the Mule Trail (which is much nicer), or if you want a fine sunset in July or August — the sun then sets too far north to enjoy it properly from the Mule Trail — then why not. But from my point of view, this is not a hike I would recommend first.
Before you go
Practical information
Duration
~1h advertised — about 20 min up if you are sure-footed, a little more coming back.
Distance
Very short, but the path is gullied in places.
Difficulty
Easy if sure-footed, not advised for older walkers. No steps on the way down.
The right moment
Sunset in July and August, when the sun sets too far north for the Mule Trail.
Start
Tête de Chien bend on the D81, about 800 m before the Roches Bleues chalet. Easy parking. See the start on Google Maps
Who is it for?
Children rather than older walkers — and travel light.
Your base for exploring the Gulf of Porto
Hôtel Le Vaïta is on the Porto marina, a few minutes' drive from the start of the Tête de Chien and the Mule Trail. Our reception team can advise on the hikes that suit your group. Book direct for our best guaranteed rate.