Calanque de Sormiou to Les Goudes Hike (GR 98-51) in Marseille, France

Located between Cassis and Marseille in Southern France, Calanque de Sormiou dazzles and sparkles with its rolling limestone flanks, seaside cottages, idyllic harbor, and large beach. 

Calanque de Sormiou, together with neighboring Calanque de Morgiou and Calanque de Sugiton, form a trio of inlets that upstage all others along Marseille’s bone-white, craggy Mediterranean coast, save Calanque d’en Vau. 

There are a number of ways to hike to Calanque de Sormiou, but the most memorable and indeed dramatic approach is from Col du Carrefour atop the Morgiou Crest. 

This Calanques National Park point-to-point hike largely follows the GR98, starting in Les Baumettes and ending in Les Goudes. However, we recommend straying from the red-white GR-98 in order to descend to Calanque de Sormiou via Col du Carrefour. After this worthy detour, our suggested route returns to the GR98 at Col des Baumettes and continues all the way to the fishing village of Les Goudes.

This coastal trail passes by a number of calanques, including Calanque de Marseilleveyre and Calanque de Callelongue. 

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Calanque de Sormiou to Les Goudes Hiking Map

How to use this map | Click map icons to display further information. The Les Baumettes – Les Goudes hike is highlighted in orange. The green line indicates the Calanques National Park boundary. The gray line indicates the GR 98-51 trail for reference.

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Les Baumettes – Calanque de Sormiou – Les Goudes Hike Transit Logistics 

We recommend hiking this stretch of the GR 98 as a day hike from Marseille. 

Take Bus B1 from Castellane to Métro Rond Point du Prado and then hop on Bus 22 to Les Baumettes.

At the end of the hike, return to Castellane by taking Bus 20 from les Goudes to Madrague de Montredon, where you’ll switch to bus 19 to Castellane. 

Timetables are synced with Google Maps. 

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Les Baumettes – Calanque de Sormiou – Les Goudes Trail Description

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Les Baumettes – Col des Escourtines – Col du Carrefour (1 hour)

There are two ways to hike from Les Baumettes to Col des Escourtines. You can follow the paved road, Chemin de Morgiou, or you can hike up the forest trail via Col de Morgiou. 

The hiking trail starts at the end of Boulevard Louis Marion (Google Maps). It’s not obvious. 

We’ve hiked both. If there’s little to no traffic, I’d opt for the smooth paved road to save some time and energy for this long hike. 

The road and trail intersect atop Col des Escourtines (183 m). From the pass, hike along the rugged Morgiou Crest to Col du Carrefour/Le Carrefour(231 m).

Along this high undulating trail, there are picture-perfect views of the rocky Riou islands behind the rolling crest of Crête de Sormiou.

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 Col du Carrefour to Calanque de Sormiou (1 hour)

At Col du Carrefour, marked by a giant rock pile, follow the red waymarks to Sormiou. The trail descends, wrapping around Canapé de Sormiou. In a northwesterly direction, the trail advances beneath cliffs on a quasi-ledge path. 

Soon, the path develops into a balcony traverse, maintaining the same elevation for a while. 

The descent to Calanque de Sormiou is a visual treat, but not without difficulty. The twisting path is covered with loose rock/scree.

There is a single steep rock step along the way, which requires scrambling and careful footing. This section alone makes this Les Baumettes-Les Goudes hike difficult. 

The path reaches the sea and wraps around the dreamy Sormiou Calanque, passing a small port and a number of happily-situated cottages along the way. 

It’s ever so tempting to abandon the hike at this point in favor of a beach day. 

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Calanque de Sormiou to Col des Baumettes (30 minutes)

The way continues inland and all the way up to Col des Baumettes.

To locate the trail, follow the road to Le Château Sormiou restaurant. Turn right onto the gravel road across the restaurant to start the steep ascent. 

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Col des Baumettes – Col de Sormiou –  Col de Cortiou (25 minutes)

At Col des Baumettes, we rejoin the GR 98-51. The high path continues west with great ease. There are views of the Sormiou crest and serpentine Chemin de Sormiou snaking down to the sea. 

The wide flat trail intersects with the Chemin de Sormiou road at Col de Sormiou (167 m). Cross the road. Trail direction/signs are painted on a rock. 

Continue following the red-white GR 98-51 in the direction of Madrague. We lose sight of the sea until Col de Cortiou, 244 m. 

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Col de Cortiou to Calanque de Marseilleveyre (1:50 hours)

The GR 98 trail hugs the coast, curving around various calanques. The elevation changes throughout, but maintains the same westerly direction. 

High above the sea, the trail wraps around Calanque de Podestat and Calanque des Queyrons. 

With time, the path loses elevation, bringing you closer to sea level. A windswept building signals that Calanque de Marseilleveyre is near. 

The small beach of Calanque de Marseilleveyre boasts a rustic eatery called Chez Le Belge. 

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Calanque de Marseilleveyre –  Calanque de la Mounine – Callelongue (50 minutes)

A bright yellow sign indicates 50 minutes to Callelongue. 

The coastal trail, even more rugged than before, passes by Calanque de la Mouine. 

As you approach Callelongue, île Maïre – the island off the coast of Cap Croisette – comes into focus. This pearly-white island looks quite extraordinary with its serrated crest and soaring height. 

The well-trafficked path drops down into Callelongue, where nature and humanity collide. Hungry hikers can stop by La Grotte for Provençal-inspired cuisine. 

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Callelongue to Les Goudes (1 hour)

It’s possible to end the hike in Callelongue, the bus 20 terminus. 

However, if you can, press on to Les Goudes by way of Cap Croisette. Follow Boulevard Alexandre Delabre until a gravel path branches off to the left towards île Maïre. 

The trail traverses the narrow peninsula to join Chemin des Croisettes, a chiseled narrow path that leads to the Cap Croisette and Restaurant La Baie des Singes.

After visiting the windy edge of Marseille, retrace your steps and then follow the road, Route de la Maronaise, into Les Goudes.

Les Goudes is a fishing village that comes to life on sunny days. The Marseillais journey here for fresh fish and seafood. Chez Paul and Grand Bar des Goudes are the favorites. 

The hike ends at the Les Goudes bus stop (Google Maps), located across from a delicious gelateria. 

Take bus 20 followed by bus 19 to return to Castellane in Marseille. 

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Where to Stay in 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.

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Southern France Travel Guides

Marseille:

• Best Things to Do in Marseille
• Marseille Calanques Itinerary

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 Sugition – Calanque de Morgiou Hike

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