10 IDEAS FOR HIKES IN THE ESTEREL

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  5. 10 IDEAS FOR HIKES IN THE ESTEREL

A jewel of the Côte d’Azur will take you to new heights and reveal all its marvels to you. This volcanic mountain range, with its stark contrasts of three primary colours, offers breath-taking panoramic views. Suited to all hiking levels, a multitude of trails are available all year round. Discover our selection of the 10 best hikes to take in the Esterel.

Randonnées dans l'Estérel :

THE AIGUILLE CIRCUIT

Difficulty level: Easy. Average Hiking Time: 1½ hours.

Distance: 2.5 km. Elevation: 160 m

Starting point: The Esplanade du Général Charles de Gaulle car park in Théoule-sur-Mer.

In the heart of protected countryside, the Pointe de l’Aguille Departmental Natural Park reserves an unobstructed porphyric show for you. Take the Aiguille circuit and be ready to be struck by a remarkable contrast of colours and landscapes.

At the edge of the Esterel, a forest trail bordered by Provencal plants will take you up high to contemplate the summits of the Mercantour and the famous Côte d’Azur Bay.

The volcanic past of the mountain range, dating from the geological time, explains the presence of garnet-red rocks. Formed by the lava flows and erosion, the Pointe de l’Aiguille natural site houses a picturesque pebble beach revealing a secret cove, the Gardanne Grotto, where smugglers liked to hide out to escape the customs men.

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THE ROCHER DE SAINT-BARTHÉLEMY

Difficulty level: Easy. Average Hiking Time: 1h40.

Distance: 3.2 km. Elevation: 77 m.

Starting point: Rocher de Saint-Barthélemy car park in Saint-Raphaël

A stone’s throw from Anthéor, the Rocher de Saint-Barthélemy is a perfect walk for the whole family.

Completely flat and tarmacked, children can enjoy themselves on bikes, scooters or rollerblades

To get to the rocky outcrop, simply follow the nature trail that allows the entire family to know absolutely everything about the flora surrounding them on this pretty walk.

The striking contrast of colours and the jagged effect of the landscapes sparks the imagination of both young and old. Only the vast blue expanse of the Mediterranean and the panoramic view over the bays of Cannes, Mandelieu and Anthéor will remind you that you are walking on the Côte d’Azur.

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Cap Dramont

Difficulty level: Easy. Average Hiking Time: 2 hours.

Distance: 3.8 km. Elevation : 151 m.

Starting point: Camp Long beach in Saint-Raphaël

Cap Dramont is a key spot on the Esterel mountain range.

This protected natural area offers an unimpeded view of the Île d’Or, and the bays of Agay and Saint-Raphaël.

A signposted trail meandering through breaks in the rock allows the entire family to enjoy the red rocks at their own pace.

A detour via the Semaphore will see you reach the top of the Cape, then a short break in Port de Poussaï, a picturesque fishing port, will be an enjoyable break before completing the loop.

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THE GRAND DUC CIRCUIT

Difficulty level : Easy. Average Hiking Time: 2½ hours.

Distance: 6.1 km. Elevation : 220 m.

Starting point: Car park on Departmental Road (RD) 92 in Mandelieu-la-Napoule, Tanneron direction.

On the edges of the Route d’Or, also known as the Mimosa Route, the Grand Duc trail is a true breath of fresh air for the family.

With an unimpeded view over the Lerins Islands and the Bay of Cannes-Mandelieu, the forest trail presents no difficulties.

When the mimosas, the trees emblematic of the Tanneron mountain range, are in bloom, an olfactory and visual adventure awaits you in the largest mimosa forest in Europe!

Families should note that the route is not suitable for pushchairs, so plan to have a baby carrier for the very young.

For hikers, there is also a longer 9.5 km loop (Average Hiking Time: 3 hours, 45 minutes).

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THE ROCHER DES MONGES

Difficulty level: Medium. Average Hiking Time: 2½ hours.

Distance: 5.9 km. Elevation: 300 m.

Starting point: Théoule-sur-Mer marina.

This hike in the Esterel is perfect for enjoying a beautiful view over the Côte d’Azur Alpine foothills, the summits of the Mercantour and the Mediterranean coast with its various ports.  The striking mix of colours ranging from the green of the cork oaks and pines, to the red rocks that plunge into the azure blue of the Mediterranean, will doubtless take you on a journey to different worlds and atmospheres. By taking the Rocher des Monges loop you will see the famous Notre Dame d’Afrique [Our Lady of Africa] statue, inspired by Algerian religious art, standing opposite the vast Mediterranean Sea.

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Rastel d’Agay

Difficulty level: Medium. Average Hiking Time: 2½ hours.

Distance: 8.4 km. Elevation: 360 m.

Starting point: Togo car park in Agay.

Slightly away from the coastline, the Rastel d’Agay walk nevertheless offers you spectacular views from the heart of the Esterel mountain range to the Côte d’Azur coast. Walk up to the viewpoint indicator that will show you the location of the Gratadis forester’s house, a unique heritage left by our ancestors. You can also painstakingly admire the Pic de l’Ours and the Pic du Cap Roux thanks to a 360° view. A hike in the heart of the Esterel that is perfect in any season!

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BLAVET GORGES

Difficulty level: Medium. Average Hiking Time: 3 hours.

Distance: 6 km. Elevation: 141 m.

Starting point: Gorges du Blavet car park in Bagnols-en-Forêt.

A new route suggestion that will not fail to induce joy in hiking enthusiasts!

Here, the Esterel will win you over with its Blavet Gorges, which are as curious as they are spectacular. It is a panorama of red rocks and lush green vegetation overlooking the Blavet river, to be contemplated from the viewpoint.

The Muéron Grotto and the ruins of the 18th century oil mills are to be discovered along the walk. A shady trail in the heart of the Esterel surrounded by wild orchids, cork oaks and sweet chestnuts, but pack your good shoes nonetheless!

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THE CRÊTE DES GRUES

Difficulty level: Medium. Average Hiking Time: 4 hours.

Distance: 11.6 km. Elevation: 540 m.

Starting point: Vallon de l’Autel car park in Théoule-sur-Mer.

Get up high in the Esterel with this hike and discover two tall peaks in the mountain range: the Petites Grues (413 m) and the Grosses Grues (440 m).

When climbing up to the Crest, the Lérins Islands decorate the distant landscape and guide your eyes towards the high peaks of Corsica, often visible in clear weather.

A land preferred by the cork oak, maritime pine and macchia, the green carpet of the Var extends before you on every step of the hike.

A top tip specially for February: the start of this hike in the Esterel is surrounded by mimosas in bloom. There are a few fairly narrow parts, so be careful!

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THE PIC DU CAP ROUX TOUR

Difficulty level: Difficult. Average Hiking Time: 4½ hours.

Distance: 5.1 km. Elevation: 500 m.

Starting point: Sainte Baume car park in Saint-Raphaël.

Ever higher! The Pic du Cap Roux is “The place to be” on the Esterel.

Standing 453 m above sea level, it’s the perfect spot for seeing the Côte d’Azur from 360°.

Admire exceptional panoramic views towards the Col de Saint-Pilon and the Col du Cap Roux, then end the visual spectacle with the Pic du Cap Roux, which allows you to overlook the Bays from Saint-Tropez to Cannes.

In winter, the view over the snow-capped summits of the Mercantour is breath-taking.

On the way back, it’s possible to detour to the Saint-Honorat grotto, to discover the habitat of the hermits Saint Honoratus and Caprasius, who were once there on a quest for solitude.

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THE DENT DE L’OURS, UTZEL GROTTO AND THE ESTEREL RAVINES

Difficulty level: Difficult. Average Hiking Time: 7 hours.

Distance: 17.85km. Elevation: 602 m.

Starting point: Vallon de l’Autel car park in Théoule-sur-Mer.

For seasoned hikers, this last hike suggestion will show you a completely different side of the Esterel, known for its red rocks and unimpeded views. Here, the underground secrets of the mountain range will be revealed to you; its grottos and ravines. Each and every step will surprise you with small marvels, like Ecureuil lake at the foot of Ecureuil Ravine, where the braver of you can take a quick dip.

A mix of underground, dizzying heights and panoramic views, this hike will offer you a variety of stunning landscapes. Wear good walking shoes, as you’ll come across a lot of rocks on the trail. Be very careful on the downhill sections.

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FLY OVER THE BLAVET GORGES
Vol au dessus des Gorges du Blavet
Vol au dessus des Gorges du Blavet
Vol au dessus des Gorges du Blavet
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