Calanque de Sugiton and Calanque de Morgiou are two eye-catching inlets along the Mediterranean Coast, located about halfway between Marseille and Cassis in Calanques National Park in Southern France.
The Sugition Calanque is a secluded circular cove with two small pebbly beaches, whereas Morgiou Calanque is a deep, fjord-shaped cove with a port, beach, and seaside cottages.
The vast majority of visitors hike from Luminy University Campus to Calanque de Sugiton out-and-back. That’s the easiest option and the most appealing for casual hikers.
However, a highly gratifying point-to-point trail links Calanque de Sugiton with Calanque de Morgiou, starting in Luminy and ending in Les Baumettes. This varied trail follows forest, coastal, and rugged crest paths, offering transcendent views at every turn. The cherry on top is eating lunch at Bar Nautic (cash only), overlooking the harbor of Calanque de Morgiou.
This Calanques Marseille day hike is best undertaken with public transit. Take bus B1 from Castellane to Luminy PN des Calanques (30 minutes) to reach the trailhead. At the end of the hike, ride bus 22/22s to Métro Rond Point du Prado, followed by bus B1 to Castellane in Marseille (40 minutes).
- Starting Point: Luminy PN des Calanques Bus Stop, Marseille (Bus line B1)
- Ending Point: Les Baumettes, Marseille (Bus line 22)
- Distance: 11.7 km point-to-point
- Time Needed: 4:30 hours
- Elevation Gain: 467 meters
- Elevation Loss: 509 meters
- Difficulty: Difficult
- Minimum Elevation: 0 meters
- Maximum Elevation: 263 meters
- Trail Map: IGN Les Calanques
- Where to Stay in Marseille: Hôtel Le M (midrange), Les Appartements du Vieux Port (midrange), Boutique Hôtel Provencia (midrange), Hôtel C2 (luxury), or Maisons du Monde Hôtel & Suites (luxury)
- Where to Stay in Cassis: Chambre d’hôtes Clos du Petit Jésus (midrange), HPC Suites (luxury), Hotel De La Plage (luxury), or Hôtel Les Roches Blanches (luxury)
Calanque de Sugiton – Calanque de Morgiou Hiking Map
How to use this map | Click map icons to display further information. The Sugiton – Morgiou Calanques trail is highlighted in orange. The green line indicates the Calanques National Park boundary. The gray line indicates the GR 98-51 trail for reference.
When to Hike to Calanque de Sugiton
Hikes to Calanque de Sugiton are best undertaken in spring, or autumn. It’s also possible to hike in Calanques National Park in winter, so long as the weather is stable.
We do not recommend hiking to Calanque Sugiton in summer (June – September) for several reasons. First and foremost, it’s too hot. Second, access to Calanque Sugiton is not guaranteed as the park is often closed due to fire risk. And third, access to the Sugition Calanque requires prior booking.
Calanque de Sugiton Reservation / Seasonal Restrictions
In high season (June – September), access to Calanques de Sugiton is restricted. You must obtain a free reservation in advance to access this popular calanque.
Even with a reservation, access is not guaranteed as authorities can close the park due to risk of fire.
Luminy – Calanque Sugiton – Calanque Morgiou – Les Baumettes Trail Difficulty
Most of this hike is moderate, but there is a challenging scrambling section between Calanque de Sugiton and Calanque de Morgiou. For that reason, you may want to reverse the route, in order to safely ascend, rather than descend, a rather steep rock step.
The vertical rock step is not secured. If you descend, like we did, you must have zero fear of heights.
Calanque de Sugiton – Calanque de Morgiou Trail Description
Luminy – Col de Sugiton – Sugiton Viewpoint (30 minutes)
From the Luminy PN des Calanques bus stop, follow Avenue de Luminy south to the entrance of Calanques National Park, marked with signs that indicated 1 hour to Calanque de Sugiton and 30 minutes to the Sugiton Viewpoint.
A wide gravel track leads through a pine forest to Col de Sugiton.
From Col de Sugiton, detour to Belvédère de Sugiton to see epic panoramic views of Grande Candelle and the Devenson Cliffs to the east and Calanque Morgiou to the west.
The Sugiton lookout point is located on the site of a former military watchtower built by the Germans during the Second World War.
Sugiton Viewpoint – Col de Sugiton – Calanque de Sugiton (55 minutes)
Return to Col de Sugiton and turn right to Calanque de Sugiton. Soon, a trail marked with a red-dotted line branches off to the right. Take this red-dotted “sentier” trail, which is more direct than the circuitous “piste” trail.
The trail descends Vallon de Sugiton, mostly along a smooth paved path.
A sign indicates two ways to Calanque de Sugiton. The right trail leads to the calanque directly in 10 minutes, whereas the left panoramic path leads to the calanque in 15 minutes.
Follow the panoramic path.
The trail narrows significantly and continues to descend along a rock wall. The uneven and rugged path, now studded with large angular rocks, slopes down to the sea.
As you approach the water, a timber-wire fence and a series of steps steer you to the pine-fringed Sugiton Calanque beaches: Plage Est (East Beach) and Plage Ouest (West Beach).
The purpose of the fencing is to direct people onto the trail, as the area is suffering from erosion.
Calanque de Sugiton is unmistakable, because it’s punctuated by rocky islets. There are some stunning outlooks, before reaching the east and west beaches.
Plage Ouest, the larger of the two, is a pebbly beach studded with boulders.
Calanque de Sugiton to Calanque de Morgiou (45 minutes)
Follow the sign to Calanque de Morgiou – Par l’échelle (by the ladder), waymarked with red lines.
The trail leads to a steel ladder affixed to the rock. Climb the ladder and use the chains to hoist yourself up.
Savor the views of the dreamy Sugiton cove backed by the looming Devenson Cliffs, before turning west to Calanque de Morgiou.
The pleasant coastal path contours around the Aiguille de Sugiton-dominated headland, separating the calanques, bringing you to an abrupt drop. The trail slides down at an almost impossibly vertical gradient.
We made our way slowly down this polished rock step, turning around to face the rock initially. Again, if this section seems scary, definitely reverse the route, so you can ascend it (far easier than descending).
The scenic coastal trail develops into a balcony with views of the boat-filled harbor of Calanque Morgiou. Home to 40 permanent residents and a smattering of cottages, this inhabited calanque is both picturesque and charming.
There is another steep rock step to descend, though much easier than the last.
Below, there’s a secluded beach, with no clear access.
Later, steps lead down to the small beach: Plage Sauvage de Morgiou. Continue straight, bypassing the beach, to reach the small harbor.
We ate a wonderful lunch on the sunny terrace of Bar Nautic (cash only).
Calanque de Morgiou to Col du Carrefour (1:15 hours)
The trail leads around the harbor between buckets, overflowing with fishing nets. Following black and later blue trail markers, ascend to the coastal trail.
The spectacular coastal trail advances in the direction of Cap Morgiou, the lizard-tongue-shaped headland that separates the Morgiou and Sormiou inlets.
Next, the trail climbs rigorously up to Col du Renard (86 m) and then follows the Sentier des Crêtes path along the Morgiou Crest northwest (inland). In no time at all, the coastal trail becomes a mountain trail.
With views of Calanque de Sormiou on your left and the Devenson Cliffs on your right, continue the ascent to Col du Carrefour (231 m), marked by a rock pile pyramid.
Col du Carrefour – Col des Escourtines – Les Baumettes (45 minutes)
At the Carrefour junction, continue straight in the direction of Les Baumettes.
Note: the trail to Marseille continues down to Calanque de Sormiou. It’s a mesmerizing descent, which we hiked on a different day: Luminy – Les Goudes Hike.
The undulating, rugged high trail of Crête de Morgiou leads to Col des Escourtines (183 m), where the trail intersects with the paved road that links Les Baumettes with Calanque de Morgiou.
Here, you can either follow the hiking trail to Les Baumettes via Col de Morgiou, or walk down the paved road to Les Baumettes.
We’ve hiked both ways. If your legs are tired, follow the road for a nice and easy finish. The road is often closed to vehicle traffic during the day, due to seasonal restrictions, or when the Calanque de Morgiou car park is full, which means there should be little to no traffic.
The rocky hiking trail drops down the forest in a somewhat roundabout way via Col de Morgiou. Always follow signs to Les Baumettes.
When you get to the Les Baumettes, follow Chemin de Morgiou to the bus line 22 bus stop (Google Maps). Take bus 22 to Métro Rond Point du Prado, followed by bus B1 to Castellane.
Where to Stay near Calanques National Park
Marseille
Midrange | Hôtel Le M is a comfortable 3-star hotel located on Rue Paradis, a safe commercial street, near the Estrangin metro station and walking distance to both Vieux Port and Castellane. All rooms have air-conditioning and are equipped with a coffee machine and tea kettle. Staying here is very relaxing and uncomplicated: luggage storage is provided, breakfast is available (you can decide each morning whether you’d like breakfast), check-in and check-out is efficient.
Midrange | Le Pythéas – Vue Vieux-Port avec terrasse et clim is a light-filled spacious apartment in Vieux Port. We loved the location and layout of the apartment. However, it would need a few upgrades (more towels, towel racks, more efficient self-check-in). Also check out this similar apartment: Le Pythéas Vieux Port Marseille.
Budget-Midrange | Top-rated Les Appartements du Vieux Port offers a wide array of clean, modern, air-conditioned apartments in a central location in Vieux Port.
Luxury | Maisons du Monde Hôtel & Suites – Marseille Vieux Port stands prominently across the ferry terminal of Vieux Port. This chic portside hotel offers air-conditioned rooms, lovingly furnished with Maisons du Monde decor. Book a room with a harbor view. Breakfast is available.
Top Choice – Luxury | Housed in a 19th century private mansion, the stylish boutique Hôtel C2 stands out with its bright contemporary rooms, spa, fabulous breakfast, and phenomenal service.
Look for accommodation in Marseille.
Cassis
Top Choice – Midrange | Managed by caring hosts, Chambre d’hôtes Clos du Petit Jésus is a quiet and comfortable B&B with an outdoor swimming pool, terrace, and generous breakfast. Parking is included. The guesthouse is a short 10-minute walk to the port of Cassis.
Luxury | HPC Suites offers well-kept, self-catering apartments in an idyllic and central location in Cassis, walking distance to the port (10 minutes). Free parking is available.
Luxury | Hotel De La Plage – Mahogany is situated along Avenue de l’Amiral Ganteaume across from Plage du Bestouan beach, a 5-minute walk from the Port of Cassis. This beachfront hotel offers 28 comfortable, air-conditioned rooms, many of which have sea views. Extra perks: sunny sea-facing terrace, bar, restaurant (summer only), spa and pool (seasonal / extra charge). Parking is available for an extra fee (reserve in advance).
Top Choice – Luxury | Hôtel Les Roches Blanches occupies a privileged cliffside position in Cassis, overlooking the sea and Cap canaille. Stay here for the dreamy setting and excellent breakfast. Restaurants and pools are open seasonally. Book a sea-view room. On-site parking is available for an extra fee.
Look for accommodation in Cassis.
Southern France Travel Guides
Marseille:
Calanques National Park:
- How to Visit Calanques National Park
- Hiking in Calanques National Park
- Cassis – Calanque d’En Vau Hike
- Devenson Cliffs Hike
- Calanque de Sormiou – Les Goudes Hike
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