Around Mont Puget from Col de la Gineste

A magnificent sea and mountain hike in the Calanques National Park.

Technical sheet

60037
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 11.07 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 499 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 491 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 564 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 280 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the Col de la Gineste car park.

From the car park, follow the red-marked route that starts from the right-hand side of the D559, in the direction of Marseille/Cassis (alt. 326 m). Walk towards Col de la Candelle. The trail rises initially to Butte du Pain de Sucre, then back down through scree to Col Ricard.
50 metres before reaching the pass (1), leave the red-marked route onto a wide path opposite via a footpath. It rises steadily skirting Mont Puget on the right overlooking Luminy.

In the descent, at the first hairpin turn (2), continue left on Chemin du Centaure which goes to the cliff foot of Mont Puget. At around 200 metres near a grove of trees, join the GR98-51 (3) and follow to the left on Sentier des Treize Contours, then on Promontoire des Américains.
This portion of cliff path overlooking the Falaise des Toits cliff, meets up with Col de la Candelle, which offers superb views to enjoy with your lunch (4).

Start on the green-marked route due north along the ridge path, slightly to the right. Pass two successive trails leading off on your right and go straight to the pass.
Take the trail on the left that leads to the summit of Mont Puget (563 metres) (6). After the ascent to the summit, retrace your steps.
100 metres before the pass, turn left onto the path of Vallon Sainte Marthe (green markings), which quickly descends into a scree, then winds along to Puits de Cancel (7). Alternatively, take Cheming du Vallon de l'Herbe which starts on the left 50 metres higher up and avoids delicate passages of Vallon de Sainte Marthe leading to Puits de Cancel.
Continue the path on the left as far as a junction (8). Follow the path to the left that quickly climbs up Col de Ricard.
Then take the path on the right back to the Col de la Gineste.

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 326 m - Col de la Gineste (326m)
  2. 1 : km 1.44 - alt. 356 m - Right towards a path - Col Ricard (352m)
  3. 2 : km 3.55 - alt. 310 m - Chemin du Centaure
  4. 3 : km 4.07 - alt. 281 m - GR left
  5. 4 : km 5.76 - alt. 424 m - Head north, Green markings - Col de la Candelle (400m)
  6. 5 : km 6.67 - alt. 530 m - Left towards the summit of Mont Puget
  7. 6 : km 7.4 - alt. 559 m - Mont Puget
  8. 7 : km 8.99 - alt. 301 m - Puits de Cancel
  9. 8 : km 9.17 - alt. 301 m - Left-hand path
  10. S/E : km 11.07 - alt. 326 m - Col de la Gineste

Practical information

Free car park on either side of the D559 (Marseille/Cassis) at Col de la Gineste or public transport on the “La Marcouline" transport network, line M8 Marseille-Cassis via La Gineste.
Bring very good hiking boots for the scree.
Some open-air passages without difficulty (Promontoire des Américains) and rocky escarpments to cross in the Valley of St. Martha (avoid in wet weather).

 Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 53 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
Trekeur
Trekeur

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : May 28, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A very nice walk, especially on the second part with the climb to the Col de Candelle, which offers some fine views. The trail is very easy to follow. Be careful on the descent, though, as there are a few technical sections.

Automatically translated

ZakSon
ZakSon

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : May 08, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Beautiful views of Marseille, the Calanques and the hinterland. The route is well described.
There is a slightly steep climb that is not very difficult, and a downhill section where you have to put your hands down for 3m, but it's quite doable.

Automatically translated

Casssleo
Casssleo

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 01, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

The view is breathtaking and the estimated time and difficulty announced very reliable!

Automatically translated

paė
paė

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jan 12, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

nice hike, no dangerous sections if you take the slightly longer option on the way back from mont Puget

Automatically translated

Aktarus
Aktarus

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Dec 08, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Aerial passage on the promenade but only for a short distance (like 10m). The rest is quieter.

Automatically translated

Gépa
Gépa

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Nov 30, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

A magnificent hike, on an overcast day, in an imposing setting with distant views (probably even more so on a sunny day).
However, the route remains demanding, even difficult in places for those prone to vertigo or sensitive knees.

Automatically translated

FOHLEN
FOHLEN

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Nov 27, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

My phone said :
- distance not 9 km 20 but 11 km 2 !
- as ascent not 490/496 m but 750 m !

Automatically translated

Philippe SG
Philippe SG

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 12, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

To be repeated in the spring.

Automatically translated

jgueraud
jgueraud

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : May 11, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Magnificent tour, but be careful on the descent, which is dangerous for simple hikers like us, so take the other path, the Vallon de l'herbe path. The description should be more specific about the nature of the difficulty, as it's not just a scree slope but also involves some de-escalation sections.

Automatically translated

patrick marengo
patrick marengo

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : May 19, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A lovely walk, with a slightly difficult climb to close the loop to Mont Pujet. But so many beautiful moments

Automatically translated

jgueraud
jgueraud

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : May 11, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Magnificent tour, but if like us you're just a hiker, avoid the path through the Vallon Ste Marthe, which has some technical sections and is of no interest whatsoever.
Otherwise, a circuit completed in 5h45 with time for a break and a picnic.

Automatically translated

Fx13
Fx13

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 07, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Sumptuous scenery, very varied route (DFCI, easy paths, steep, stony (via the Cancel well), lots of climbs and descents, a few technical sections etc... presented as medium difficulty, I'd say difficult, bearing in mind that I was equipped with a 15 kg GR20 training pack... but I'm 70 years old!

Automatically translated

Martine et Jacques
Martine et Jacques

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Mar 20, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

The route is perfect, and the app makes it easy to vary the project. For example, we were able to return via the Frajer trail... Magical!

Automatically translated

Papy Gégé
Papy Gégé

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Feb 18, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Simply splendid

Automatically translated

Binouga
Binouga

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 26, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

although physical, this walk does not present any particular difficulties despite the previous sections of the Col de la Candelle and the Vallon St Marthe.
with magnificent views over Marseille, the torpedo boat and the Morgiou cove.

Automatically translated

Other walks in the area

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of the author. Do not copy them without permission.