Titou Ninou viewpoint

de fr

The Titou Ninou viewpoint! You have to be a good walker to reach this little love nest. But once you're there, the view of the Riou and Plane islands is wonderful.

You are in the Calanques National Park, which is subject to specific regulations. Failure to comply with these regulations may result in a fine of up to €1,500.

Details

n°2601142
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 11.44 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 00 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 597 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 589 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 395 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 11 m
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Photos

Titou Ninou viewpoint
Titou and Ninou's hideaway
Calanque de Podestat
Calanque de Sormiou

Description of the walk

Park at the Baumettes car park on Chemin de Morgiou.

(S/E) Leave the path that branches off to the right (this will be the return path) and join the track by taking the path that branches off to the left

(1) Turn right and continue along the track, taking the shortcuts to reach the Col de Sormiou

(2) Cross the track to take the path opposite that heads west and reach the Col de Cortiou.

(3) Leave the path that branches off to the right towards the Signal de l'Homme Mort and take the one that branches off to the left. Continue along this path, ignoring the one that branches off to the left further on.

(4) At thesecond junction, turn left onto the path heading due south, then ignore the path branching off to the left. The path then turns right, heading due west.

(5) Ignore the Podestat valley path on the right and turn left. Pass Calanque des Queyrons and arrive at Calanque de Marseilleveyre.

(6) Take the time (depending on the time you started the hike) to eat a snack or have a meal before tackling the "big climb" to the viewpoint.
Then take the path heading north (Plan des Cailles)

(7) Continue right towards Grand Malvallon.

(8) Leave the Col de la Selle trail on your left and the Trois Arches trail opposite you to turn right (southeast). Keep going in the same direction and ignore the Podestat valley trail on your right.
Shortly afterwards, you will reach the fork at the viewpoint.

(9) Be careful not to miss the path on the right, as there are many tracks. Once you have found it, climb the last few metres to the viewpoint.

(10) And there you are, the Titou Ninou viewpoint is yours. Enjoy the view and have your lunch if you haven't already done so.
This vast expanse is extraordinary.
It's easy to understand why Titou brought his beloved Ninou to this dream setting.
It's time to head back; go around the viewpoint to rejoin the path you left to climb up, about 40 metres east of point 9. Then continue straight ahead (north).

(11) At the four-way junction, take the path that branches off to the right towards the east. Keep going in the same direction.

(3) Back at Col de Cortiou, continue straight ahead.

(2) Do not take the track you took at the start, but the path on the left just after the crossroads.

(12) Follow the track to the right for about 50 metres, then turn left onto the path that leads directly to the starting car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 114 m - Baumettes car park
  2. 1 : km 0.46 - alt. 157 m - Start of the trail towards &gt - Col des Baumettes (181m)
  3. 2 : km 1.35 - alt. 181 m - Col de Sormiou (181m)
  4. 3 : km 1.75 - alt. 242 m - Col de Cortiou (244m)
  5. 4 : km 2.65 - alt. 195 m - At the trail junction, go straight ahead
  6. 5 : km 4.27 - alt. 58 m - Crossroads of the Podestat valley trail, on the left
  7. 6 : km 5.41 - alt. 13 m - Calanque de Marseilleveyre
  8. 7 : km 5.97 - alt. 27 m - Junction, on the right
  9. 8 : km 6.99 - alt. 124 m - Trail junction, on the right
  10. 9 : km 8.12 - alt. 338 m - Fork in the road towards the viewpoint
  11. 10 : km 8.29 - alt. 336 m - Titou Ninou viewpoint
  12. 11 : km 8.74 - alt. 374 m - Trail junction, on the right
  13. 12 : km 10.82 - alt. 226 m - Track
  14. S/E : km 11.44 - alt. 114 m - Baumettes car park

Notes

As always in the calanques, bring enough water for the day.
Good hiking boots are highly recommended for the rocky trails of the calanques.
The hiking circuit in this direction will take us to the viewpoint at around 1 p.m. for a picnic, with a departure time of around 9 a.m.
(6) The Calanque de Marseilleveyre is a great place to take a dip. Remember to have a snack (if you haven't already) before starting the climb to the viewpoint.

Worth a visit

The hike follows a balcony path, offering magnificent views of the islands and calanques on a clear day, of course.
Swimming at the Calanque de Marseilleveyre.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 21 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.4 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
GBRUEL
GBRUEL
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 03, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful route, recommended in the direction described. The quality of the paths has improved considerably since the park was created. Titou Ninou probably offers the most beautiful view of the central calanques.

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jeromedu13
jeromedu13

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 22, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike with exceptional views.
I did it from the Col de Sormiou, which shortens the duration by about an hour.
The description is clear and accurate. The trails are well marked.
The direction indicated, which I followed, seems easier than the opposite direction (the climb to the viewpoint is more gradual)

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patrick55
patrick55

The view from Titou/Ninou is so beautiful, I hope you enjoyed it

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jerome9913
jerome9913

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 02, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Done as a family on 31 October in the opposite direction, the small "climbing" sections of the Plateau de l'Homme Mort are easier going uphill than downhill (children aged 6, 8 and 11)
We shortened the route by starting from the Sormiou barrier, but it's still a beautiful 10 km loop
gPS tracking is essential to find the viewpoint.

thank you for sharing!

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dpiernas13
dpiernas13

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 16, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful route, with breathtaking views of the islands and coves.
The hike is indeed demanding, especially towards the end, and longer than expected.
Thank you again

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patrick55
patrick55

Hello, and delighted to see your enthusiasm. It's a lovely hike in the Calanques of Marseille, and as you so rightly say, it's well worth the effort :[1]:....

Notes

[1] ::

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Toybou
Toybou

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 22, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Thank you for this magnificent route! A feast for the eyes! I didn't know this part of the calanques: I loved it. A challenging hike, but about average for the calanques beyond 10 km. Not many people out on this beautiful March day. No one in the southern Malvallon (between points 7 and 11). There are many trails leading to the viewpoint, but I used the GPS track, which was more than enough. Easy route from point 1 to point 8. Steep climb between points 8 and 10, but nothing insurmountable for those familiar with the calanques. However, I must admit that the route from the Signal de l'Homme Mort, on the blue trail that descends to the Col de Cortiou, is a little difficult to descend, mainly because of a smooth rock face with no handholds for a little over 2 metres... If you're afraid of heights, think twice before attempting this part of the route... You need to be sure-footed and take your time, but it's doable if you're used to climbing down. You'll come back tired but delighted! Thanks again!

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patrick55
patrick55

Thank you for this change. I can't remember what was written before, but this description is indeed clear.
Well done to jpg13490 for the comments that help improve the route. It is indeed possible to do it in the opposite direction.
Patrick55

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POULIN Gérard
POULIN Gérard ★

Hello jpg13490,
Thank you for your concise feedback. The change has been made.

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jpg13490
jpg13490
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 05, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A magnificent route that takes you along the coast and then up to the panoramic heights of the Plateau de l'Homme Mort
I walked this route in the opposite direction, which avoids the rocky sections on the descent back to the Col de Cortiou: on the ascent, these sections are easier for people who are prone to vertigo

PLEASE NOTE: there is an error in the description of point 3

"Leave the path that branches off to the right towards Anse de la Mélette and take the one that branches off to the left. Continue on this path, ignoring the one that branches off to the left further on."

The path that branches off to the right climbs to the Homme Mort plateau and not to Anse de la Melette

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phildaix
phildaix

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 27, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A magnificent hike with absolutely breathtaking views of the sea, the islands and Marseille.
Small issues with the guidebook:
- the starting point is not very clearly marked: you should not start from the Baumettes car park, but from the car park further along the Morgiou path
- there are many tricky sections, with steep drops and worn, slippery rocks, and you often have to use your hands; this should be pointed out to those who may be afraid of heights

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bpi13
bpi13

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 10, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful route passing through the Marseilleveyre cove.
The description can include the following routes
Red 5, jq Col des Baumettes
right GR to Marseilleveyre coves
right green 3
right for a few metres Yellow 4
right green 4 (right just before the end of the climb, Titou Ninou viewpoint)
right blue 1 to the Col de Sormiou
black 2 for the return to the car park

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Micmac62
Micmac62

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 23, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

On a beautiful sunny day, I really enjoyed this route. Thanks to patrick55. A nice climb between (7) and (8). Then, to find the viewpoint, the app is almost indispensable. Next, a lovely view from above before reaching point (11) where you actually have to use your hands to get back to the Col de Cortiou. A beautiful route in this rocky landscape.

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robert.souche
robert.souche

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 17, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

This hike allowed me to find the Titou Ninou point

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ed04
ed04

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 22, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

the GPS showed me 12.8 km and 700 metres of elevation gain
it took us 6½ hours, but that included a lunch break and a nap!
the descent after point 11 to the Col de Cortiou is steep and you need to use your hands a little
it might have been useful to mention the markings (GR on the way there, blue markings on the way back) in the description
the path to the viewpoint is not easy to find, thank goodness for GPS
otherwise, the hike is magnificent, the viewpoint is sumptuous, and the views are superb
to be enjoyed without moderation

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