The Sugiton, Morgiou, Triperie, and Sormiou coves

A walk with breathtaking views of four coves (calanques)

Technical sheet

11071
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 13.47 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 671 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 671 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 243 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 0 m

Photos

Description of the walk

(S) Set out from the Luminy university campus. Head due south toward the sea, along the stoney lane (which quickly turns into a track) which runs alongside the School of Art and Architecture towards Sugiton cove.

(1) From Sugiton saddle go to the "Belvédère de Sugiton" viewpoint (2) (superb views over the Calanques) and then retrace your steps.

Drop down to Sugiton cove (3). Enjoy the explosion of colour: blues, greens, and emeralds. Skirt around the cove to the right, taking the long-distance footpath (red and white waymarks). Climb the ladder, and a little further on, climb down over a large, relatively smooth rock. Continue on to Morgiou harbour.

(4) Walk round the harbour and climb up the other side toward the long rocky promontory. On arriving at the saddle go to the end of the promontory to see the cliffs of Triperie cove and then retrace your steps (5).

Climb Renard hill and continue to the intersection of paths (the "Carrefour"). Go about a hundred metres left to take a photo of Sormiou cove and then return(6).

Descend towards Morgiou again and climb back up to Luminy and the car park (E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 137 m - University of Luminy.
  2. 1 : km 0.74 - alt. 163 m - Bifurcation
  3. 2 : km 1.2 - alt. 181 m - Opposite, towards Col de Sugiton
  4. 3 : km 1.77 - alt. 215 m - Right fork - Col de Sugiton (215m)
  5. 4 : km 2.48 - alt. 243 m - Calanques lookout point
  6. 5 : km 4.54 - alt. 40 m - Sugiton cove
  7. 6 : km 5.99 - alt. 5 m - Go around the port and up the other side
  8. 7 : km 6.93 - alt. 82 m - To the left - Col du Renard (86m)
  9. 8 : km 7.77 - alt. 26 m - Cliff in the Triperie cove - Cap Morgiou
  10. 9 : km 10.05 - alt. 231 m - Intersection of the Carrefour
  11. 10 : km 11.61 - alt. 22 m - Road, path opposite
  12. S/E : km 13.47 - alt. 137 m - University of Luminy

 Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.

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

Reviews and comments

4.4 / 5
Based on 86 reviews

Reliability of the description
4 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.3 / 5
Route interest
4.9 / 5
User 21864046

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : May 30, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

A treat

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bader
bader

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 23, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

It was a beautiful day, with the mistral blowing quite a lot on the ridges in the afternoon.

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CPA67
CPA67

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 04, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

It's a magnificent, sporty hike that deserves its "difficult" status: significant changes in altitude, a lot of scrambling in the rocks (which are sometimes very smooth...!), a rather impressive de-escalation section, but you can do it if you take your time. In short, you need to be well shod and choose a period of dry weather to do it, to avoid slips and falls.
After the port of Morgiou (6), you need to pay close attention to the signs, which are not always very visible.
We didn't make it to point (8), which allowed us to save our strength for the very steep climb to the Col du Renard after lunch.
At point (9), you tend to want to continue straight ahead following the red markings, which have been there for some time, but you have to be careful to spot the intersection on the right, which is not well signposted (with the GPS track, no problem). At the end, between points (9) and (2), the climb is steep and quite exhausting after all the route you've covered.
In any case, the scenery and views are magnificent, I recommend it!

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linda8
linda8

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of walk : Dec 29, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

A walk with magnificent views

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SE VE RI NE
SE VE RI NE

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 18, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

A very pretty loop
Exceptional views of the calanques
However, you'll have to climb a lot and put up with the sun beating down hard!
I wouldn't recommend it after rain, as the ground can be very slippery even when dry!
Not recommended for people who suffer from vertigo.

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Arnaud 27
Arnaud 27

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 28, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

A good description, apart from a complicated passage with a ladder that was not indicated.

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Britanicus100
Britanicus100
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 27, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

The Calanque de Sormiou was completed over 2 days. I've made 2 videos describing the atmosphere of this beautiful route.
Calanques of Sormiou, Triperie and Morgiou
Calanques of Sugiton and Morgiou

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Phil le coach mobile
Phil le coach mobile

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 18, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

With Visorando's GPS tracking, we were able to take stock every time we were in doubt about which path to take when we came to a crossroads. Otherwise, it's a great circuit for training before heading back to Réunion Island. We did it in the middle of the heat to get the same conditions, with 2 litres of water and short breaks. Without running, it took us 3.5 hours and we got a real eyeful of the different viewpoints. Good trail shoes that grip well are a must.

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Elena
Elena

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : May 08, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A very good tour with magnificent views of the calanques of Sugiton, Morgiou and Anse de la Triperie. Personally, I didn't make the return trip to Sorimou (personal choice).
The descent is quite impressive and you need to take your time if you're not used to it. There are some steep climbs over the passes, but the rewards are always there. The trails are fairly well signposted, which means you can easily identify the paths you need to take (look carefully at the markings on the ground and on the stones).
It's a tough, sporty walk, but you can do it if you take your time and bring enough water and supplies.
Thank you for this great sporting route!

PS: accessible by public transport from the "Campus Luminy" stop.

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mareamare32
mareamare32

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Mar 13, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

very nice hike with magnificent viewpoints.difficult hike as indicated, you need to be a good walker and know how to climb.top at this time of year because nobody....the gps with viso rando is great for not getting lost....

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Pioupiou44
Pioupiou44
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Mar 19, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

I did this route solo on Monday.
I didn't find it too difficult; it's a hike that's "accessible without too many worries for people used to hikes with a bit of a difference in altitude".
It's worth remembering that this type of route is not a walk in the park, especially on the "semi-climbing" descent after the ladder, as the rocks are quite slippery, so don't come without training or in converse like some people I've met.

I made a small change to the proposed route, which I found quite interesting and didn't add too much time. After point 4, instead of taking the first descent to the right towards Sugiton as shown on the map, continue for about twenty metres and then take the GR 98 path (in my memory the signpost says "piste sugiton"), and at the next junction, take the Col de la falaise des toits, which is well worth the diversions.

Otherwise, there's nothing to complain about, good precision, fairly accurate signposting and a magnificent landscape.

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RPodor
RPodor

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : May 04, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A superb hike that takes in several magnificent creeks! Impossible to resist a swim at Sugiton, even if the water is still quite cool at this time of year. The mixed weather and the choice of a weekday meant that we were able to do this tour without running into too many people. The description of the walk is fairly good, but it does require you to take care when walking so as not to cover too many kilometres (at the exit from Sormiou - point 5, follow the black lines and after point 9, at the fork to the right, which is easy to miss... leave the track marked by the red lines, and follow the yellow lines - a small path that climbs steeply).
Enjoy the hike!

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juliette03
juliette03

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 24, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Very nice hike.
A little crowded at the start as it is very accessible, less so on the second part after the ladder.
Beautiful panoramas that are worth the effort.

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Mimizen38
Mimizen38

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 10, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Very nice hike: however, I'd advise you to do it in the opposite direction as the descent between the points (4) and (5) is very slippery... in fact, I'd put the route on the "very difficult" scale just to draw attention to it as it must be acrobatic on wet ground.
I set off from Les Bannettes, which also meant I could do the Calanque de Sormiou (and I don't regret it as it's my favourite calanque along with Sugiton... but I haven't done them all yet).

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smashdc
smashdc

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jan 22, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

I hadn't seen the comment about me. It's a shame, this lack of objectivity.
So why classify the hike as difficult? Because 663 m D+ isn't insurmountable. I think it's more, though.
...
I mentioned some tough climbs and it's true, and I'm well trained (I think the hike has gone from Medium to Difficult lol). Put the hike on easy then ... (and reread the "I forgot" comment). I'd come across people who weren't trained at all who turned back. What's more, the profile of the hike is not at all regular.
But if you take your time, it's doable even for someone with little training (if you remain objective).
...
Compared with the other calanques, the Calanque de la Triperie is not "essential", or else you need to be more specific. The other calanques are accessible via the beach. For La Triperie, it's a bit more complicated ... but it's still beautiful, I'm not saying otherwise. That's why I went there, but I expected better, that's all. See my video link. It's completely different from the other calanques.
...
I added to this hike (because I don't come here very often) the descent/climb to the Calanque de Sormiou (which I didn't want to miss), which made a total of 18.7 km for more than 700m D+ of climbing, but I think the difference in altitude was a bit underestimated.
That's why I'm putting the Triperie in second place, but if you're able to do it, do it (but it says that you need to have the resources to do it BUT that you shouldn't overestimate yourself and that you need to know how to read a route...), as it says. It's all a bit contradictory.
Suggestion: prefer Sormiou to La Triperie if you don't come here often.
If you live in the region, do it in several stages.
...
The signposting isn't great in some places and is fading in others, that's a fact! I didn't say that you get lost.
There were red lights at the crossroads, but I must have missed them... With my GPS watch, I didn't have any problems. Phew!
=> Go to the other hiking websites to be a bit more objective about the signposting ...
Go to my Youtube site to see the many hikes I've done so that I can judge the waymarking. I've seen hikes that were much better marked and without red lights!
The signposting on many of the walks in Aix and Marseille could be improved. These are comments that come up time and time again.
...
https://www.youtube.com/c/JeuxVoyagesIns...

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