Baou Quatre Ouro via the Vallons des Bonnes Herbes and Vallons des Bagnards

A lovely, challenging loop along goat paths to the heights of the Baou de Quatre Ouro massif and Cap Gros.
Go through two steep valleys.
Return via the southern ridge of Baou and the Madema breach, partially descending to the cliff path, then the ups and downs of Hautes Pavègnes and finally the old quarry and the old Bonnes Herbes shooting range.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.97 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 20 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 468 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 465 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 576 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 112 m
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ District: Toulon (83200|83100|83000)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 43.148354° / E 5.886646°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 3346OT
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Photos

Description of the walk

The hike starts at the end of Chemin des Bonnes Herbes, at No. 963. You will find a green iron gate, which marks the start of the hike. You can park near this gate without disturbing the owners, provided you can find a space

(S/E) Continue along the path until you reach the first fork at an altitude of 142 metres (on the IGN map). This is the junction with another path running north-south. Walk along the path, leaving a large olive grove and an old stadium surrounded by high fences on your right.
Turn left towards the south onto a path that winds clockwise.
Pass several old quarry buildings, concrete slabs, walls and quarry buildings, which have been turned into airsoft shooting ranges.

The path narrows as it climbs northwards. It crosses the old quarry site below on the right, then meets a wider path running along the bottom of the Vallon des Bonnes Herbes at a crossroads marked by a rusty steel sign on the left above. On a tree, a small wooden sign indicates "BAU", which means "rock" in Provençal.

(1) Then turn left and walk up the entire valley. There is a 45-metre climb before the stone bridge at the end of the valley, which is not yet visible, hidden by the terrain, but whose approach wall can be seen. Take a tiny path on the right to reach, 10 metres to the right of the main path, a large rock shelter under a large slab of white rock. This is Shelter No. 2 in the Vallon des Bonnes Herbes.

(2) Take the same path and pass under the bridge dated 1878. Climb up the scree on the right (3) to reach the edge of the cliff. There is another large rock shelter here. This is Shelter No. 1 in the Vallon des Bonnes Herbes.

(3) Take the path on the left marked in dark green. Go through the metal gate that once blocked the passage. The ravine is called Vallon de la Rouvière Plane or Vallon de la Grille, but is better known as Vallon des Bagnards.
The trail is carved entirely out of rock, especially in its first section. It features steps made of cut stone or carved directly into the rock. This trail climbs quite steeply until it reaches the old military cistern of La Rouvière Plane. On the left is the Massif du Croupatier and on the right the Massif du Baou de Quatre Ouro (rock of the four winds in Provençal).

(4) Take the path on the right, marked in blue.

(5) Pass a crossroads at an elevation of 535 metres and continue north-east to reach the summit of Baou, known as Cap Gros, which rises to 576 metres.

(6) Descend via the same path to an elevation of 535 metres.

(5) Take a small path on the left that leads to the southern ridge of Baou, where the boundary between the municipalities of Toulon and Evenos is marked by two cairns over a metre high.
Stay on the 520 contour line heading north-east and look for a few cairns marking a goat path leading to the Brèche de Madema.

(7). Descend the breach, sometimes scrambling over rocky outcrops or following an ancient goat path, until you reach the path at the foot of the Baou cliff.

(8) Take this path on the right, which leads to the top of Hautes Pavègnes, then to a small car park (on the D2262 track) leading to Baou, via a path marked with light blue dots.

(9) South of the car park, find the fairly wide dirt path that descends towards the bottom of Hautes-Pavègnes, crosses a large pine forest and joins the old Bonnes Herbes quarry. Do not leave this path, which joins the fork at the start.
The path climbs steeply from elevation 142 (on the IGN map) to elevation 175.
Return to the crossroads and take the original path back to the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 112 m - No. 963 Chemin des Bonnes-Herbes
  2. 1 : km 1.22 - alt. 188 m - Crossroads with metal sign
  3. 2 : km 1.8 - alt. 307 m - Crossroads - Abri N°2 du Vallon des Bonnes Herbes
  4. 3 : km 2.17 - alt. 370 m - Turn left at the fork in the scree slope - Abri du Vallon des Bonnes Herbes
  5. 4 : km 2.9 - alt. 509 m - Rouvière Plane cistern
  6. 5 : km 3.22 - alt. 537 m - Crossroads
  7. 6 : km 3.69 - alt. 574 m - Cap Gros/Baou de Quatre Ouro
  8. 7 : km 4.76 - alt. 493 m - Turn right at the fork going downhill - Brèche de Madema
  9. 8 : km 4.99 - alt. 414 m - Baou Cliff footpath
  10. 9 : km 5.66 - alt. 296 m - Parking
  11. S/E : km 6.97 - alt. 112 m - No. 963 Chemin des Bonnes-Herbes

Notes

This hike is rated "Difficult" because the Madema Pass is very steep. It is reserved for experienced hikers. Children under 12 years of age are not recommended.
However, the use of climbing equipment (harnesses, ropes) can make it possible to disregard this advice, while making the descent more fun!
However, avoid this passage in case of heavy rain or if it has rained recently.
The time indicated includes numerous photo breaks and detours to the caves described.

There are no drinking water sources along the route. Bring plenty of water.
Hiking boots are essential.
All the caves mentioned can be used as shelters in case of bad weather.

Worth a visit

The caves mentioned are described in detail on the technical website of the Var Departmental Speleology Committee (CDSV): http://www.fichiertopo.fr/ I encourage you to read the cave descriptions before your hike, which is why they are not described here.

Also nearby:
The Châteauvallon Cultural Centre, the villages of Evenos and Ollioules, the listed site of La Courtine, the Oppidum, the Gorges d'Ollioules, etc.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 17 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.4 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
User 1456004

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 15, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

This is the fifth time I've done this hike, and it's my favourite in Toulon.
I recommend setting off early (7 a.m.) so you can climb the Vallon des Bonnes Herbes in the shade.
This year, the path between 1 and 2 hasn't been used much, so you get a bit scratched by the vegetation, and I forgot my pruning shears.

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roy martine
roy martine

hike cancelled due to rain. . . . . . .Furthermore, my phone is quite old and I can't scan the map, which means your suggestions are hardly usable; what a shame
kind regards
martine Roy

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camisard
camisard

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

Very beautiful hike
not to be done in strong winds, at least on the summit
(I lost a pair of glasses there when they were blown away by the wind....)

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kiko83
kiko83

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 15, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant walk with beautiful views. The section along the cliffside is magnificent. The descent into the gap is a bit tricky, so it's best to be in good shape. Thank you for the route!

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Xgen
Xgen

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 15, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

the Madena Pass, a very tricky descent.
this would justify doing the hike in the other direction, where the route is more intuitive.

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Belette83
Belette83

I sincerely loved it... Having also loved the pas de la cavale... I would combine your walk with mine and it would be a hell of a route... Thank you again for this rich discovery

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Belette83
Belette83

Hello,

I preferred to start from the "des hautes Pavègnes" car park, located just below the Baou des 4 Oures. I slightly prefer to take this walk uphill... along the cliffs...
So, following the yellow trail (from the car park), you arrive gently at the Madema breach, which I found easy to climb... This path is very pleasant... although exposed and steep! (I wouldn't do it going downhill)
I came back down via the path by the gate, then through the Vallon des Bonnes Herbes, before gently climbing back up to the Hautes Pavègnes car park.
.
The two shelters are very nice and the views of the various Toulon mountains are magnificent.

The best thing to do is to walk along the entire length of the cliffs, following the Cavale trail, which will take you to the summit of Baou... then follow the initial walk. This adds a good kilometre...
this trail is for experienced hikers only!

I did this walk with my dog (a terrier)

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MCTOUL
MCTOUL
• Edited:

Hello Belette83,
I'm very glad you enjoyed the route!
It really is beautiful, and there are several options for starting and walking it in either direction!
I can confirm that the Brèche de Madéma can also be done downhill, without difficulty, in both summer and winter. It should only be avoided when the ground is slippery!
As for the Pas de la Cavale (at the eastern end of the Baou), another hike describes the route. It's here:
https://www.visorando.com/randonnee-baou-de-quatre-ouro-576m-et-croupatier-p/

All the best

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Belette83
Belette83

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 01, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hello,

I preferred to start from the "des hautes Pavègnes" car park, located just below the Baou des 4 Oures. I slightly prefer to take this walk uphill... along the cliffs...
So, following the yellow trail (from the car park), you arrive gently at the Madema breach, which I found easy to climb... This path is very pleasant... although exposed and steep! (I wouldn't do it going downhill)
I came back down via the path by the gate, then through the Vallon des Bonnes Herbes, before gently climbing back up to the Hautes Pavègnes car park.
.
The two shelters are very nice and the views of the various Toulon mountains are magnificent.

The best thing to do is to walk along the entire length of the cliffs, following the Cavale trail, which will take you to the summit of Baou... then follow the initial walk. This adds a good kilometre...
this trail is for experienced hikers only!

I did this walk with my dog (a terrier)

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Rainbow83
Rainbow83

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 23, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful hike and lovely route.
The route is offset at the Madema breach, so you need to follow the yellow trail carefully.
A slight disappointment: we couldn't find shelter No. 1 at the entrance to the Vallon des Bagnards.

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Marsou83
Marsou83

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 20, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very nice hike offering a beautiful view of Toulon harbour.

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Micmac62
Micmac62

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 22, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

I didn't complete the entire circuit. When I reached the stone bridge, I returned to Les Hautes Pavègnes via the trail. However, this allowed me to discover this pretty, enclosed valley where there are many traces of human occupation, such as old terraces and ruins. Thank you to MCTOUL for sharing this route.

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M2j83
M2j83

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 15, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Superb route with beautiful views of Toulon harbour and the inland mountains. Definitely worth doing again

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CARO83190
CARO83190

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 23, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely walk with magnificent scenery.

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Mitchou8321
Mitchou8321

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 15, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

i did part of the route this afternoon (up to the bridge). As I live nearby, I came back down via a different route.
I just wanted to explore the part through the herb valleys. There are a few paths that branch off to the left or right during the climb, which you should avoid and stay on the "straight" trail. A map is essential for this hike if you don't know the area.

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