Calanque de Sormiou

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Another way to reach the Calanque de Sormiou via the Col des Escourtines and the Col des Baumettes.

Details

n°45472120
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.75 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 55 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,519 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,499 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 804 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 10 ft
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Description of the walk

Park in the car park at the end of Boulevard du Togo in the Baumettes neighbourhood.

(S/E) Take the wide concrete path for the first few hundred metres and begin the climb. Continue until you reach a junction with another path.

(1) Take the path furthest to the right, heading due south, until you reach a Fork in the road.

(2) Go straight on until you reach a junction with a small tarmac road near a water tank.

(3) Head down this tarmac road to the right, which is wide enough for a few cars to pass. Continue to the Col des Escourtines.

(4) Take the DFCI track on the right (metal barrier), which curves to the right further on.

(5) Turn left onto the path behind the small concrete bridge and head for the Col des Baumettes.

(6) Follow the small, slightly steep path to the left down to the Calanque de Sormiou.

(7) Follow the same route in the opposite direction to return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 243 ft - Car park
  2. 1 : mi 0.52 - alt. 584 ft - Top of the concrete slope
  3. 2 : mi 0.83 - alt. 623 ft - Junction, straight ahead
  4. 3 : mi 1.57 - alt. 712 ft - Road junction near a water tank
  5. 4 : mi 2.62 - alt. 699 ft - Col des Escourtines
  6. 5 : mi 2.97 - alt. 469 ft - Small concrete bridge, on the left
  7. 6 : mi 3.19 - alt. 561 ft - Col des Baumettes
  8. 7 : mi 3.87 - alt. 10 ft - Calanque de Sormiou
  9. S/E : mi 7.75 - alt. 243 ft - Car park

Notes

Remember to take water (2 litres), especially in summer.
Walking shoes.

Reviews and comments

4.3 / 5
Based on 4 reviews
Reliability of the description
3.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
Gépa
Gépa

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 06, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A pleasant walk – best undertaken in sturdy footwear (as there are descents over pebbles and rocks) – offering superb views of Marseille, the surrounding hills and the very popular Sormiou calanque.

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juliemolto
juliemolto

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 15, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

The walk begins with a steep climb, but the path is wide and well-maintained!
Make sure you’re well kitted out with good walking shoes, as the descent to the beach is over slippery rocks! My friend, not being used to this sort of terrain, preferred to head back up via the tarmac road.
The beach is stunning but very busy at the weekend.
The view is breathtaking!
We did the walk with a Malinois without any trouble!

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Jean-François
Jean-François

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 14, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hello,
At point 4, the Col des Escourtines, we didn’t take the road to the right but carried on straight ahead along the GR and enjoyed a balcony-style path with magnificent views of the calanque all the way to the Col des Baumettes.

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FarMeb
FarMeb

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 19, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Set off in the morning at around 8 am from Avenue du Togo… an ironic name for a country that deserves more than just an avenue starting at a rubbish collection point and ending at the entrance to the Calanques park. Mild weather and overcast skies – ideal for a climb. The paths are wide up to point 6, where you need to turn off to extend the route and visit the peaks and pinnacles – including the Baou Rond – before returning to the calanque. It was in this area that I spotted a Bonelli’s eagle through my binoculars; it stayed on a dead tree for nearly 15 minutes before flying off. After a few ascents and descents, the calanque comes into view from the heights, displaying its verdant and turquoise hues. Pure bliss. Once at the calanque, a quick dip in the water and we’re off… the place isn’t really designed to accommodate so many people (8,000 a day). The return journey is more gruelling, particularly immediately after leaving the calanque – it’s a technical, uphill climb… alongside me are numerous holidaymakers and tourists in flip-flops, carrying children in their arms, doing their best to make the most of this heavenly spot, best visited out of season.

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