Calanques of Sormiou, Triperie and Morgiou from Sormiou

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Starting from Sormiou, this hike offers beautiful views of three calanques: Sormiou, La Triperie and Morgiou. It also allows for swimming breaks at the start, during or at the end of the hike.

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 £1,000.

Details

n°1821951
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.12 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 00 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 500 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 508 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 237 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1 m
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Photos

difficult passage to Morgiou
calanque de Sormiou
route to the car park
Cap Morgiou

Description of the walk

Park in the Sormiou car park (please note that the car park is not accessible all year round! See practical information).

(S/E) Take the path that runs along the eastern side of the Calanque de Sormiou (red markings). After passing the small port, the path enters a pine forest until it reaches a junction.

(1) Follow the path on the left that climbs eastwards to leave the forest and enjoy numerous views of the Calanque de Sormiou before arriving at a plateau marked by a large cairn, the Carrefour.

(2) Follow the path on the right that takes you along the Crête de Morgiou trail until you reach another intersection.

(3) Continue straight ahead on this path which descends towards Cap Morgiou. Pass through the ruins of an old fort (the Fortin de Morgiou) and continue along the path to Cap Morgiou and the Calanque de la Triperie.

(4) Retrace your steps back to the previous crossroads.

(3) Then take the Corniche du Renard on the right, which descends towards the Calanque de Morgiou. When you reach the calanque, follow the port and leave Morgiou via the paved road. Follow it for a few metres until you see a crossroads just before a small car park.

(5) Turn left onto this path. Stay on it to return to the crossroads with the large cairn that you passed on the way there.

(2). Then take the path opposite (taken on the way there), which descends towards the Calanque de Sormiou and leads back to the car park where you started (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 15 m - Calanque de Sormiou
  2. 1 : km 0.54 - alt. 18 m - Intersection at the edge of the calanque
  3. 2 : km 1.55 - alt. 231 m - Intersection with a large cairn
  4. 3 : km 3.09 - alt. 85 m - Crossroads towards Cap Morgiou - Col du Renard (86m)
  5. 4 : km 4.06 - alt. 28 m - Cap Morgiou
  6. 5 : km 6.28 - alt. 9 m - Morgiou
  7. S/E : km 9.12 - alt. 15 m - Calanque de Sormiou

Notes

Please note that to access the Sormiou car park by car, see

Please note that access to the Calanque de Sormiou by car is only possible from the beginning of November to the end of March. During other periods, access is restricted. For more information, please visit: Access to the Calanques.

More photos on my blog: https://wp.me/paHMyQ-hZ.

More hikes on my blog: https://freedomstaste.com/

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 25 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.9 / 5
User 25008176

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 15, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike in the Calanques National Park, which requires good physical condition. Some difficult sections, but the beauty of the landscapes makes it worthwhile.

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zaragori
zaragori

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 23, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful, challenging hike with magnificent views. Be sure to wear very good shoes as the terrain is very rocky.
A few details that may help: Please note that mobile phone reception is not always available
From point 2 at the "crossroads" on the ridge trail, follow the blue markings to Cap Morgiou
At point 3 on the descent to Morgiou: the descent is difficult and we couldn't find any signposts, so it was quite tricky to find the right route among the rocks.
At point 5, follow the red markings
On the way back to point 2 (the crossroads), on the advice of a hiker to avoid the very steep and stony descent to Sormiou, we continued straight ahead (blue, red and red/white signs) to the Col des Baumettes. When we reached a large flat area, we took the red trail on the left (signs on the ground pointing towards Sormiou), which was a little longer but much less dangerous.
It was a fairly difficult hike but well worth the effort

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Xavier83500
Xavier83500

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 02, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hello,
Lucky day: access to the car park, cold and windy weather and, perhaps related, free parking. We saw fewer than 10 people that day. Magnificent scenery. We had an IGN map and had checked the location on the Visorando map beforehand, and it matched. Luckily, because we had no data for part of the route (thanks, Free). However, on the way back, to avoid going back down the very steep and slippery shared section, we followed the ridge from the Carrefour point and returned via the Col des Baumettes. This hike is not for those with bad knees. Or else, take your time. It took us 5 hours with the detour.

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Olivier B
Olivier B

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 30, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Simply superb
A very easy hike to follow and the panoramic views are splendid.
The road to Sormiou was still open. This is perhaps the most challenging part of the route, even by car!
It's very narrow and steep, and the crossroads are quite something!
The car park in Sormiou is private and costs €6 in cash for the day
This hike is ideal for exploring the calanques.

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nomisimon
nomisimon

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 16, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

We did this trek on a Saturday morning and encountered many trail runners, despite the very rocky path and a section where you need to use your hands. However, the reward is everywhere, as you overlook the two calanques.

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Ollivier68
Ollivier68

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 10, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hello. Thank you for the very reliable description of the route with GPS tracking.
We did the hike at 4pm on Sunday, in bright sunshine with no wind.
Take plenty of water (2 litres per person).
there are two big climbs but no technical difficulties apart from one section where you need to use your hands to climb over some rocks for about two metres.
You are always far from the edge (in the sense that the path is not narrow).
Parking costs £6.
570 m elevation gain, just under 9 km, takes about 4.5 hours at a normal walking pace.
A very beautiful hike.

Ollivier

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queyrassine
queyrassine

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 05, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Hike completed on Sunday, 3 November. We added access to the Calanque de Sormiou on foot from the Baumettes car park (accessible by bus) and continued on to the Calanque de Sugiton before returning to Luminy (by bus) instead of going back to Sormiou.
A very beautiful route but with some steep climbs and descents and a few more "difficult" sections between the Morgiou and Sugiton calanques.
The route is easy to follow. Don't forget to bring water, even in the off-season, as it was hot

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AliceCaillier
AliceCaillier

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 07, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful route, with breathtaking views wherever you are. However, be careful if you suffer from vertigo, as there are many sections with a drop on either side. My mother was really uncomfortable. The route itself is very physically demanding, and you should expect a greater elevation gain than indicated on the hike description. Finally, don't forget to take plenty of water, which we forgot to do.
I highly recommend it for the beauty of the place (you can even swim!!) But keep in mind that you need to be in reasonably good physical condition to enjoy it.

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dje83
dje83

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 03, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful hike
Unbeatable views of the Sormiou and Morgiou calanques
The climb is steep and so is the descent
Wear very good shoes as it is very rocky
In March: park at the Sormiou car park for €5, or park further up to avoid paying

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A259
A259

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 12, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful hike with breathtaking views.
Please note that parking is not available in July and August, so you will need to park 2 km from the starting point. These 2 km are very physically demanding as you have to climb up and down, and remember that you will have to retrace your steps at the end of the hike.
From the starting point, there are magnificent views all along the way, including at the port of Morgiou. Please note that if you want to have a drink at the Nautic bar in Morgiou, they do not accept credit cards (only cheques and cash). A very beautiful hike with one section of climbing, but it's manageable if you take care. There isn't much shade along the route, so be sure to bring a hat and sunscreen. I recommend this hike.

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Britanicus100
Britanicus100

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 17, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A stunningly beautiful route with exceptional views of Cap Morgiou, the Calanques of Marseille and the Bay of Cassis.
I made a video that captures the atmosphere of the route and shows some of the key points and climbing sections, which are not difficult. These sections do not require any climbing experience. You just need to take it slowly. It's fine even at 70 years old.
here it ishttps://youtu.be/AM_JkGRDUEc

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fredchristine14
fredchristine14

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 18, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

a beautiful, peaceful walk with magnificent scenery, especially in the sunshine

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Dellafoix
Dellafoix

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 08, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike in the early morning to enjoy the cool air and watch the sun rise over the islands and the Calanque de Sormiou before arriving at your destination. Not very crowded even in the height of summer (limited access by car probably helps). Allow plenty of time if you want to stop at Anse de la Triperie, swim at Morgiou or even go as far as the Blue Grotto (swimming in calm seas). It's quite a strenuous hike.

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patjc
patjc

We did this route in April, so there were very few people around. A beautiful, challenging hike with some unsecured climbing sections, which are particularly difficult to reach Morgiou (black marked trail). This explains why we encountered several people who were doing a round trip from La Triperie. Caution advised for those who suffer from vertigo.

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matmut64
matmut64

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 28, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Thanks to the author. A very beautiful hike where you can swim at the beginning, middle and end... beautiful scenery, no particular difficulties!!! Arrive early to park at Sormiou

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