Calanque De Sugiton: The Most Beautiful Hike Near Marseille

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Looking for the perfect nature escape near Marseille? Here’s how to hike to Calanque de Sugiton, the best spot in the Calanques National Park.

Nestled along the stunning Mediterranean coastline, Calanque de Sugiton is the epitome of natural beauty and adventure, making it my favorite hike near Marseille. The allure of Calanque de Sugiton lies not only in its breathtaking landscapes but also in the beautiful path leading you down to the water.

During your hike to the Calanque de Sugiton trail, you will witness a mesmerizing fusion of turquoise waters and dramatic cliff formations. The hike itself is not very difficult, although the steep descent to the bottom will make you grateful for the refreshing sea water at the bottom.

While the Calanques National Park is still considered a hidden gem among international tourists, the Calanque de Sugiton is a popular hiking destination among locals. In this comprehensive guide on how to hike to the Calanque de Sugiton, I’ll answer some frequently asked questions, and provide you with options for how to arrive. I’ll also explain when it is best to visit, and how to handle the new reservation system. Then, I’ll share all of the hiking details, including a map of the trail, and a step-by-step hiking guide. Lastly, I’ll share some places to stay nearby, to make your planning as seamless as possible.

I hope that this guide will make you decide to check out the beautiful Calanques National Park – one of my absolute favorite places in France. If you would like to find more hikes in the region, then check out my blog below!

Table of Contents

FAQs about Calanque de Sugiton

Is Calanque de Sugtion Open?

Yes, the Calanque de Sugiton is open to the public. However, since 2022, a new reservation system has been set in place to slow down tourism and protect the land from erosion which began due to overcrowding. This reservation system is only necessary during the peak summer months, and a ticket is completely free to book. Below you will find a section going over all of the information you need to know about this new reservation system.

Can you drive to Calanque de Sugiton?

No, unlike some of the other spots in the Calanques National Park, you cannot drive down to Calanque de Sugiton. To access the start of the hike, you can either take a bus from Marseille or park your car by the Luminy University campus. For exact directions on how to reach the hike, refer to the section below.

How do I get to Belvedere de Sugiton?

Getting to Belvedere de Sugiton is fairly simple, and you can find the exact directions below on the hiking map. On your hike towards Calanque de Sugiton, you will reach a large crossroads from which you can embark on a variety of different trails. There, you will find a sign showing you the trail that takes you directly to Belvedere de Sugiton.

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Visiting Calanque de Sugiton – Important Information

Location: Parc National des Calanques, France

Elevation: 278 meters.

Allowed: Swimming, dogs (on a leash), cycling (on designated routes).

Not Allowed: Camping, staying overnight, drones, campfires, picking plants, hunting.

Important Note: From the 1st of June until the end of September, the park is prone to wildfires. Each day the authorities assess the risk of a fire and therefore many of the trails can be closed during this season. While it is possible to still hike to Calanque de Sugiton during this period, make sure to check this map for up-to-date information regarding access to the park.

Reservations System

During the peak seasons, there is a reservation system in place to protect the site from overcrowding. This is only applicable to the Calanque de Sugiton, the rest of the park does not require a reservation to enter. The reservation system started for the first time in the summer of 2022 and is set to continue until 2027. This is because an erosion started to occur due to overcrowding in the summer. In this season, the Calanque can get up to 2,500 visitors a day. With the reservation system in place, this number is limited to 400 visitors a day.

It is very easy to reserve a spot, and one person can book a ticket for up to 5 people (not including children under 3). It is possible to book a ticket from 3 days before your visit until the evening before you expect to come. You will get a confirmation email which you will need to show to access the trail. This whole process is completely free and set up to ensure the park can control the amount of visitors. Click here to reserve a ticket.

As mentioned, this system is only in effect during certain times of the season, so below is a list of dates in which you will need to reserve a ticket:

June 17 – 18
June 24 – 25
July 1 – September 3
September 9 – 10

How to get to Calanque de Sugiton

Arriving by car:

Disclaimer: I would recommend arriving by public transportation. Parking by the starting point is limited and the busses from Marseille run frequently. In addition, there have been a few break-ins reported by tourists who have parked in this region.

However, it is still possible to arrive by car if you prefer. There is a parking lot located by the Faculty of Science at the Luminy University Campus. The parking lot is located right next to the bus station, and you simply have to walk up Avenue de Luminy to reach the start of the park.

Arriving by public transportation:

The best way to get to the start of the trail is by bus. You can easily get to the start of the hike by taking a bus from Marseille. Simply take the B1 bus departing from Castellane, and get off at Luminy PN des Calanques. A single journey ticket costs 1.60€ but if you want to buy it on the bus it will be 1.90€. The ticket is valid for an hour. The bus typically runs every 20 minutes and the journey from Marseille takes around 30 minutes in total.

When to visit Calanque de Sugiton

You could technically visit Calanque de Sugiton all year round. The turquoise waters make this an enticing swimming spot, therefore, I recommend visiting when it’s warm enough for a swim. However, with the fire hazards in the peak summer months, I also recommend avoiding visiting during this period. This way you avoid having your plans canceled if the authorities decide that it is too dangerous to hike while you are visiting. In addition, you won’t need to reserve a spot.

We visited Calanque de Sugiton at the beginning of April. The weather was beautiful and suitable for hiking, however, it was slightly too cold to go for a swim. I would recommend visiting between mid-April and late May, or in October.

The hike to Calanque de Sugiton is only around an hour, therefore, there is no stress in terms of when to start the hike. However, it is possible to combine this hike with hiking up to Mont Puget to make the most of your day in the Calanques National Park. If you would like to do this, then I recommend starting your hike at around 9 AM and heading to the peak of Mont Puget first. Then on your way back, you can take a detour down to Calanque de Sugiton. From personal experience, I can highly recommend combining these two hikes into one trip.

What to Wear on the Hike

While the hike to Calanque de Sugiton is fairly easy, it is highly recommended to dress appropriately, especially in terms of shoes since there are a lot of loose rocks and unstable parts on the trail. I saw a lot of people hiking down in sneakers and while it’s possible, it’s not recommended. Additionally, if you would like to hike in other parts of the park, you will have to bring proper shoes with you.

Clothing Essentials:

Hiking pants: Ideally bring hiking pants that can be made into long shorts, in case it gets warm.

Rain Jacket: Even if the weather report says it will be sunny, make sure to bring a rain jacket just in case! If you have rain pants, then it could be a great idea to bring them as well.

Hiking shoes: Proper hiking shoes are a must when hiking in the Calanques National Park. The trail down to Calanque de Sugiton has lots of loose pebbles and the extra support these shoes provide will be very useful.

Swimsuit: I highly recommend that you bring a swimsuit with you in case you feel like going for a swim at the top!

General Essentials:

Hiking poles: While these are not a must, they are highly recommended. If you do not have a high fitness level, I urge you to bring hiking poles to help you on the trail. In general, these could be a great idea for all hikers. Not only can they give you a little support on the ascent, but they come in extra handy during the descent for stabilization and to reduce the stress put on your knees.

Water: Make sure to bring enough water! This area is typically warm all year round and there is nowhere to fill up your water on the trail. Ideally, bring 3-4 liters per person.

Food: There is no place to get food on the trail here, so make sure to bring enough food to last the day. Remember that you may want to combine some hikes and go swimming. Make sure to bring enough food to sustain yourself for this.

Towel: If you plan to go for a swim then make sure to remember a towel. You don’t want to have to hike back in wet clothes.

Rain cover for your bag: If it starts to rain, there is a limited amount of places to hide on the trail and find cover. Therefore, I highly recommend bringing a rain cover for your bag to protect your valuables.

Hiking Details

Distance: ~ 7 km in total, 15 km if combined with Mont Puget.

Difficulty: Easy, medium if combined with Mont Puget.

Time needed: 2 – 3 hours. It takes around 1 hour to reach Calanque de Sugiton, so the time depends on how long you stay by the water, the time spend at Belvedere de Sugiton, and whether you combine this with more hikes.

Elevation loss: ~ 200 meters.

Type of trail: Out-and-back (same trail).

Hiking Directions to Calanque de Sugiton

(step-by-step guide)

Park Entrance to Belvedere de Sugiton

This section of the trail will take around 30 minutes. From the entrance of the park, you will follow a very wide and straight trail for around 20 minutes. Then when you reach the crossroads of Col de Sugiton, you will notice a sign pointing to a trail going right labeled Belvedere de Sugiton. Take this trail and follow the path for around 10 minutes. Then you will reach the viewing platform over the coastline. Take your time to soak in the views here, as they are some of the best views in the whole park!

Belvedere de Sugiton to Calanque de Sugiton

When you are done, head back the same way towards Col de Sugiton. From there you will see a sign towards Calanque de Sugiton going straight. From Col de Sugiton it’s a 25-minute hike down to Calanque de Sugiton. Although the trail is rather short, spanning a mere 1.5 km from here, the whole elevation loss of the hike occurs during this section. Hike down carefully for an elevation loss of 200 meters.

Along the route, there will be several spots that make for an ideal photo spot. In the map embedded above I have added several of the best photo spots on the route so make sure to check it out. However, the best photo spots will be down by the water. When you are ready to head back, simply take the same trail back up to Col de Sugiton. This time, you can just continue straight on the trail going back out of the park and towards the bus stop.

Detour to Mont Puget

If you are interested in combining this hike with climbing up Mont Puget, then I recommend hiking up here before starting the descent to Calanque de Sugiton. This way you won’t have to climb up half wet, and will get to jump in the water as a well-deserved reward after your climb. To get to Mont Puget take the trail going left at Col de Sugiton. It will take you around 1 hour and 15 minutes to reach the top and there is an elevation gain of around 350 meters.

After around 10 minutes from Col de Sugiton, the trail will split and you need to take the right trail. At the next trail split, take the left trail. Continue on this trail for around 20 minutes, then you need to look for a small trail barely marked on the side of the mountain. This small but sturdy trail will take you up the rest of the way to Mont Puget. Enjoy the views from the top, and when you are ready to head down, simply head back the same way.

Where to stay while hiking the Calanques National Park

While hiking in the Calanques National Park, I highly recommend you stay in Marseille as your base. This vibrant city is full of things to do and see and is well connected to the trails in the park by bus. We loved our stay in Marseille and enjoyed staying by the old port and old quarter. You could also stay in the beautiful fisherman’s village of Cassis located on the other side of the Calanques National Park. However, from here there are no direct bus routes to the start of the hike down to Calanque de Sugiton.

That concludes my guide on how to hike Calanque de Sugiton, my favorite spot in the Calanques National Park. I hope that this guide managed to convince you why you must visit this beautiful region in France!