The Luminy hairpin bends

An easy hike that takes us beneath the beautiful cliffs of Luminy and Mont Puget, with magnificent views of Marseille and the Calanques massif.

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

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 12.21 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 372 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 364 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 393 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 103 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Join the Luminy estate road, 800 m after the Facultés roundabout. There are plenty of parking spaces available on the right-hand side of the road, just before the start of the track.

(S/E) Take the track enclosed by a barrier that heads east, carefully crossing the road. Ignore the track that branches off to the left 200 m further on and continue until you reach a crossroads with a cistern.

(1) Continue along this track and, after a few hairpin bends, you will come to a path on the left at the end of a right-hand hairpin bend.

(2) Take this clearly visible path on the left and continue climbing to reach Col Ricard.

(3) Take the path on the right uphill to reach a track and continue westwards. Pass under the cliffs of Luminy and Mont Puget and join the Morgiou hairpin bend.

(4) Continue downhill to the right until you reach a crossroads with several directions.

(5) Leave the track and turn left towards the north, descending along a clearly visible path. You will reach a new track.

(6) Take it to the right and stay on it until you reach another trail junction.

(7) Stay on the left track and descend to reach a hairpin bend above the Luminy Faculty of Science.

(8) Continue to the right and reach Vallon Ricard.

(9) Turn left to walk through this valley and arrive at Route des Facultés. Turn right and return to the car park, taking care when using the cycle path. (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 103 m - Parking Route de Luminy
  2. 1 : km 2.77 - alt. 203 m - Carrefour de la Citerne
  3. 2 : km 3.75 - alt. 304 m - Path on the left
  4. 3 : km 4.56 - alt. 353 m - Col Ricard (352m)
  5. 4 : km 6.57 - alt. 309 m - Lacet de Morgiou
  6. 5 : km 7.25 - alt. 243 m - Path on the left
  7. 6 : km 7.66 - alt. 191 m - Crossroads
  8. 7 : km 8.81 - alt. 225 m - Track on the left
  9. 8 : km 9.99 - alt. 191 m - Track on the right
  10. 9 : km 10.65 - alt. 173 m - Track on the left
  11. S/E : km 12.21 - alt. 103 m - Parking Route de Luminy

Notes

This is an AMFRA Marseille hike. Thank you to the organisers for this beautiful walk.

Worth a visit

Between (3) and (4), don't miss the hills of the Calanques massif, the offshore islands and the curious Aiguille Guillemin on the left of the route.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 6 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
juliemolto
juliemolto

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

A pleasant hike without much difficulty, offering beautiful views of Marseille and the sea! Not too crowded, so very enjoyable!
I did it in 3 hours and 20 minutes instead of the 4 hours and 35 minutes indicated, taking my time and stopping for short breaks!
Dogs are allowed!

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patricebeaufort
patricebeaufort

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

We discovered this route in sunny weather, with no wind and a temperature of 22 degrees, ideal conditions in May with beautiful flower beds. Magnificent views of the harbour of Marseille, we followed the route with the GPX track, which was perfect.
The return journey is less interesting, with scrubland, undergrowth and views of the LUMINY site. I would recommend doing it this way next year, with a return trip to prolong the pleasure.

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phildaix
phildaix

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

Magnificent views and rocks sparkling in the sun. And beds of purple irises. Very beautiful.
Not a very busy route, but still a few hikers and mountain bikers.

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Nath13
Nath13

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 15, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A pleasant, easy circular route, a rarity in the Calanques massif, with beautiful views.

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gégérando
gégérando

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 12, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A very pleasant route, as it is not too difficult for the Calanques.
Lovely views from Col Ricard.

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JCBaldi
JCBaldi

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 20, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

No difficulty for this hike; beautiful panoramic views, magnificent views of Marseille, the calanques...
Easy going on wide tracks most of the time. Fairly quiet route (mainly a few cyclists).

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