Calanques - The Arbutus Walk (Arbutus unedo)

de fr

This easy walk allows you to admire the arbutus trees, especially during the last two months of the year. At this time of year, these trees are still in bloom and their red and orange fruits light up the landscape. This walk also offers beautiful views of the Bay of Marseille (Frioul Islands, Col de Sugiton, Île Riou) and Mont Puget.

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.

Technical sheet

n°408340
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.81 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 20 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 134 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 132 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 277 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 145 m
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Photos

The arbutus trees
Fruit - Arbutus trees
Arbutus flowers
Arbousier

Description of the walk

(S/E) The walk starts from the Luminy car park, where you take the path that goes through a barrier and is signposted towards Sugiton.

(1) Turn left (blue sign) just before the bench. The path climbs a little at the beginning and then runs alongside the fence of the Luminy Campus (on the left). Stay on the blue trail, continuing straight ahead.

(2) Turn left, staying on the blue markings.

(3) When you reach the fork, continue to the right, turning sharply, and continue to cistern no. 68

(4) Continue straight ahead. Leave a track on your left and continue to the Col de Sugiton (cistern no. 65).

(5) Take the path on the right that leads back to Luminy. Red/white, blue/yellow and green markings. Continue to follow the blue route. At the first fork, take the left and then keep right at the next fork.

(6) At the crossroads, turn right.

(1) Continue straight ahead to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 145 m - Luminy car park
  2. 1 : km 0.63 - alt. 163 m - At the crossroads, turn left
  3. 2 : km 1.7 - alt. 191 m - At the crossroads, turn left
  4. 3 : km 2.85 - alt. 224 m - At the fork, take the hairpin bend to the right
  5. 4 : km 4.09 - alt. 274 m - Citerne 68, straight ahead
  6. 5 : km 5.15 - alt. 216 m - Turn right - Col de Sugiton (215m)
  7. 6 : km 6.08 - alt. 166 m - At the crossroads, keep right
  8. S/E : km 6.81 - alt. 145 m - Luminy car park

Practical information

There is a water fountain not far from the Luminy car park barrier on the left-hand pavement.

(5) We recommend taking a detour to the Sugiton Belvedere, which offers exceptional views (but is often a little too crowded). To do this, do not turn right towards Luminy but continue straight ahead until you reach the orientation table.

In the nearby area

The arbutus trees

Sugiton viewpoint for those who want to enjoy a rather extraordinary panorama of the Bay of Marseille. The place is often windy and crowded.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 28 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
julientestiboule
julientestiboule

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Feb 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Well marked from start to finish: blue signposts.
A detour to the viewpoint is a must given the panoramic views on offer 👌.

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sormiou
sormiou

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jan 22, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Be careful at the start... we were in a group and missed the left turn... even though it's clearly marked in blue! Best to visit when the arbutus trees are in bloom and bearing fruit

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juliemolto
juliemolto

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Dec 24, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Enjoy your Christmas walk with my mother-in-law and my dog! No difficulties! It's always very busy at the start, but hikers go in different directions, which keeps the traffic flowing and makes it very pleasant!

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Ay44
Ay44

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Nov 09, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

The start and end of the hike are at the Luminy car park, which is very (too) busy, but very quickly there are very few hikers and a few mountain bikers. Thank you for this lovely walk through the strawberry trees with their ripe fruit.

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SAUBESTY
SAUBESTY

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Nov 10, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Difficult parking. It is better to park in the large car park behind Kedge and walk a little further.

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Claudett&Georges
Claudett&Georges

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 05, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Pleasant forest path, no difficulties.

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Myriam1366
Myriam1366

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Dec 09, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

An easy, well-marked route. Lovely views of Marseille and a beautiful walk in Luminy, far from the crowds that frequent the trails in December.

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Neoveron
Neoveron

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Dec 05, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Pleasant hike, although I found the app a little complicated to use (I'm a novice)

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britelebois@yahoo
britelebois@yahoo

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of walk : Mar 07, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Nice hike, however, in my opinion, the signposting is insufficient.

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chrisbleue84
chrisbleue84

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Feb 21, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A very quick walk with no difficulty at all, so we first pushed on to the viewpoint, then descended to the Sugiton cove, returning in 3 hours.

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marcavejan
marcavejan

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jan 16, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

A pleasant walk with beautiful views of Marseille harbour and the Frioul Islands. Perfect for families with children. The duration of the walk is as described and there are no difficult slopes.
Nice.

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BertilleL
BertilleL

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Dec 12, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

A fairly popular hike, but easy and enjoyable in November-December when the arbutus berries are in season.

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jpleclercq
jpleclercq

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 19, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

I did it backwards and was able to go straight to the Sugiton viewpoint, which added about fifteen minutes to the walk.

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Mohamed IBRAHIM
Mohamed IBRAHIM

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Dec 29, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Great hike with three children aged 5, 10 and 11, beautiful view of the Sugiton calanque

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Papy13rando
Papy13rando

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Nov 17, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A very pleasant hike, albeit a little short, so we started with a circuit beginning at the Morgiou calanque path from the car park of the international business school (Kedje), which we returned to at the end.

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