Cap Morgiou with return via the ridges and the Col de Morgiou

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A beautiful, challenging loop with some tricky climbs and stunning views.
Cap Morgiou is an archaeological site. Everything seems to date from 1811 to 1813, but there is no evidence to suggest that it was fortified in 1614.

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°2948729
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 11.45 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 468 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 464 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 265 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 0 m
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Photos

Pointe Cap Morgiou
Calanque de la Triperie
Fortin de Morgiou enclosure wall
Cap Morgiou as a whole

Description of the walk

Start from the Domaine de Luminy car park

(S/E) Enter the Parc des Calanques at the School of Architecture. Follow the track until you reach a large rock signpost on the left.

(1) Turn right, cross a track and a few metres later join the path that leads to Morgiou.

(2) Continue left and very quickly turn right onto the famous path that descends to Morgiou. Follow this path, ignore a direct descent and continue until you discover a magnificent view of Morgiou further on.

(3) You will come to a slightly tricky section equipped with a chain. Once you have passed this, join the fork in the path that runs along the coastline from Morgiou to the Sugiton cove.

(4) Descend to the right, reach the small port of Morgiou and go around it.

(5) On the other side of the port, follow the black trail markers. After a slightly tricky start, a good trail quickly follows. A short climb takes you to the Col du Renard.

(6) At the Col du Renard, turn left and follow the trail to Cap de Morgiou.

(7) After enjoying the view, turn back and return to the Col du Renard.

(6) Continue straight ahead and climb the steep slope to reach the Crête de Morgiou. Continue along the ridge and enjoy the beautiful views to the right and left (keep your eyes peeled for the Calanques).

(8) At the "le Carrefour" fork, continue straight ahead, following the blue markings. After the Baou Rond, you will reach a fork.

(9) Leave the blue markings that branch off to the left and take theGR®51-GR®98opposite, marked in red and white. Cross the small Morgiou road at the Col des Escourtines. Continue for about 250 m on a track and you will find theGR® on the right.

(10) Follow the red and white markings. At the Col de Morgiou, join a track and follow it to the right for a few metres. Take the second path on the right (the first one descends to Morgiou).

(11) Follow this path, marked in red and white, which continues along the contour line. At the ridge, continue to the right and join the path you took on the way up.

(2) Continue left to the large rock marker, then left again to the Luminy car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 138 m - Luminy car park
  2. 1 : km 1.19 - alt. 180 m - Large rock marker, on the right
  3. 2 : km 1.27 - alt. 182 m - Turn left then right onto the path leading to Morgiou
  4. 3 : km 2.29 - alt. 80 m - Handrail
  5. 4 : km 2.42 - alt. 54 m - Fork, right
  6. 5 : km 2.75 - alt. 2 m - End of the small port of Morgiou, black markings
  7. 6 : km 3.47 - alt. 79 m - On the left - Col du Renard (86m)
  8. 7 : km 4.42 - alt. 21 m - Cap Morgiou
  9. 8 : km 6.84 - alt. 231 m - Le Carrefour, opposite, marked in blue
  10. 9 : km 7.57 - alt. 244 m - At the fork, go straight ahead, following the red and white markings
  11. 10 : km 8.17 - alt. 221 m - Track, on the right
  12. 11 : km 8.42 - alt. 201 m - Path on the right, marked in red and white - Col de Morgiou (198m)
  13. S/E : km 11.45 - alt. 139 m - Luminy car park

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

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

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Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 27 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.9 / 5
rando_gs
rando_gs

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 02, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No


A very beautiful hike, like most in the Calanques, and this one is among the top 10.

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YBidule
YBidule

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 07, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hello. Hike completed in early December in good weather. No major difficulties except for one ledge above Sormiou, just before the ridges, where you need to use your hands to help you climb. Magnificent views for three quarters of the hike. Thank you for the information and the route. Yvanbidule

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eyraud.didier
eyraud.didier

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 24, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A physically demanding hike with a slightly tricky section above the Morgiou calanque.
The landscapes and views are breathtaking.

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bfmabc
bfmabc

A challenging hike with magnificent scenery.
Route with lots of elevation gain and loss
However, this hike should be reclassified as difficult rather than moderate, as there are quite a few tricky sections

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balma54
balma54
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 25, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A magnificent hike for experienced walkers!

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bfmabc
bfmabc

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 24, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A challenging hike with magnificent scenery.
Route with lots of elevation gain and loss
However, this hike should be reclassified as difficult rather than moderate, as there are no tricky sections

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ferrari174
ferrari174

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

It's a really beautiful hike in a stunning setting.

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Gijean
Gijean

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 18, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Beautiful hike with magnificent weather
Thanks to the author, everything is well explained

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Faron O
Faron O

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 26, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

an easy route with breathtaking views.

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Adie
Adie

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 06, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A superb hike that leads to the tip of Cap Morgiou.
There were already quite a few people on the trail. We decided to stop for a swim in a small cove in the valley after passing Morgiou rather than at the beach by the port, as it was much less crowded.
Route tracked on a watch without a paper map.

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Micmac62
Micmac62

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 20, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Thanks to njnrando for sharing this. I had a great day exploring this rocky landscape in the opposite direction. I had lunch at Cap Morgiou, sheltered from the wind by the ruins of old batteries. On the way back, I wanted to avoid the chains, so I crossed the village of Morgiou and, on the advice of a local resident, joined a path a little higher up, marked in yellow on the right, to reach point (2).

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cigalelc
cigalelc

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 14, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Magnificent hike! It's a feast for the eyes the whole way.
There was a short section of downclimbing with chains on the descent to Morgiou and a nice (!) climb on the way back after crossing the path coming from Morgiou. Fortunately, seeing how steep the climb was, we decided to eat after rather than before...

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matthiasavignon
matthiasavignon

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

A beautiful hike, varied and with superb scenery.
The section with the chains can be impressive. The climb is also challenging but not technically difficult.
Great route, thank you and I recommend it!

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Einive
Einive

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 07, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very busy on Sundays (in May). We couldn't do the hike, we stopped at point 3, where you have to climb down using the chain. This walk is not suitable for dogs (we had an Australian Shepherd) as it is too difficult at this point. We therefore turned back and returned to the cove via the "normal" path.

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NADIA13
NADIA13

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 07, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike. We did it in the opposite direction, starting on the right towards point 11 instead of point 3.
This way, we avoided the big climb after lunch at Cap Morgiou, which starts at the Col du Renard. We enjoyed swimming at Morgiou.
Of course, we had to climb back up the chain, but we found it easier to go up than down. And then the climb from Morgiou to point 2.
The time of 4 hours and 35 minutes is realistic. We were a group of seniors.

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