Cap Gros, Mont Puget and Aiguille Guillemin

A superb hike, with extraordinary views of the calanques, especially in good weather. It is classified as difficult because it includes two fairly arduous climbs and a tricky descent, but it can be done by any average hiker in good shape.

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

17113291
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 12.19 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 55 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 496 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 496 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 562 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 147 m

Photos

Description of the walk

The hike starts from the Luminy School of Architecture in the southern suburbs of Marseille, where there are plenty of parking spaces available.

(S/E) Head south towards the discovery trail and follow it straight ahead.

(1) Look for the path on the left, which you will take on the way back, and continue to the Col de Sugiton.

(2) At the pass, follow the track opposite towards the east and continue on it, leaving the descending track on your right.

(3) Take the path (GR® 51-98) on the left for about 300 metres.

(4) Turn left and continue to follow theGR®. This is the start of the first climb. There is no risk of getting lost. After about 1700 m, you will arrive at Col de la Candelle, but not before enjoying the many views along the way.

(5) Admire the view once again, then head back up the path towards the north for 150 metres.

(6) Descend the path on the right and go around the Vallon de la Candelle. Continue for about 800 metres to elevation 372.

(7) Leave theGR® trail, which continues towards the Devenson cliffs. Climb up to the left at this point and follow the yellow and green markings that wind along the ramp.

(8) Turn left and continue to follow the yellow, green and red markings. Pass through a small gorge and emerge on the other side of the hill. You will find some steps. Follow the path, which becomes less and less steep, and emerges onto the Cap Gros plateau. There are beautiful views of the entire region on both sides. A surprising well at this height marks the summit of Cap Gros. Continue for 800 m.

(9) Turn left and head towards the heights of Mont Puget, clearly visible in the distance, ignoring the paths that branch off to the right and left. Keep to the left to begin the short climb up the first promontory and then Mont Puget itself. Enjoy the view. Finish at the cross by following the ridge.

(10) Carefully descend the rocks and return to the Frager trail. Continue on the left until you reach a large cairn that marks the start of the descent of Sillon Guillemin, dominated by the peak of the same name.

(11) Turn left. Watch your step, as some sections are relatively tricky but nothing impossible.

(12) Turn left at the end of the path and follow the track for 2 km downhill to reach a crossroads.

(13) Look for the start of a path opposite and follow it until you reach a track on the left. When you reach a crossroads, turn right, heading west, to rejoin the discovery trail you took on the way there.

(1) Turn right and you will reach the car park after about a kilometre (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 147 m - Architecture school car park - Luminy Faculty
  2. 1 : km 1.04 - alt. 180 m - Crossroads of the circular loop
  3. 2 : km 1.59 - alt. 214 m - Sugiton Pass
  4. 3 : km 2.41 - alt. 216 m - Path on the left
  5. 4 : km 2.7 - alt. 271 m - Fork to the left
  6. 5 : km 4.38 - alt. 423 m - Col de la Candelle
  7. 6 : km 4.54 - alt. 432 m - Path on the right
  8. 7 : km 5.25 - alt. 374 m - Path on the left
  9. 8 : km 5.41 - alt. 421 m - Turn left
  10. 9 : km 6.28 - alt. 525 m - Fork
  11. 10 : km 7.47 - alt. 545 m - Cross
  12. 11 : km 7.66 - alt. 513 m - Cairn
  13. 12 : km 8.1 - alt. 392 m - End of the trail, on the left
  14. 13 : km 10.08 - alt. 244 m - Crossroads, trail opposite
  15. S/E : km 12.19 - alt. 147 m - Architecture school car park - Luminy Faculty

Notes

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.

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 6 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
User 27390299

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 25, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful classic hike in the Calanques, with a gradual climb to the Col de la Candelle, followed by a very scenic route. Magnificent landscapes and a "Calanques" atmosphere. Completed in 4 hours. Thank you for the route.

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Cassilu
Cassilu

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 01, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant hike with beautiful views.

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feixou
feixou

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 19, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful but still very physically demanding hike, due to significant elevation gain and very technical sections... but the effort is rewarded. Good physical condition required.

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Claudio61
Claudio61
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

Route taken on 8/9/2023. I only met one person, but I set off early in the morning. A very beautiful hike with 360-degree views. A few difficult sections, but you just need to take your time. I highly recommend this beautiful hike.

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fl0r14n
fl0r14n

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 16, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A superb hike with views of the sea, Marseille, and the countryside (St Baume, St Victoire, the Alps, Mt Ventoux...), beautiful cliffs, some areas sheltered from the wind, others very exposed.
Some sections are easy and flat, others are more physically demanding, and others are even more technical (I really enjoyed the descent at the foot of the Aiguille Guillemin). In short, it's very comprehensive!
The start is very busy (as it leads to the calanques), but as soon as you leave the path (stage 4), there are far fewer people.
Thank you!

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gaubert34
gaubert34

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 18, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Avoid in rainy or wet weather due to the ascents and descents over rocks. The start of the descent is quite tricky. A somewhat physically demanding hike.
A very beautiful hike in magnificent weather with stunning views of the calanques and Marseille. It is advisable to have a GPS to avoid walking extra kilometres.

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