Loop of the Infernet Ravines and Le Perthus

Above Agay close to the beaches, the fabulous Massif de l'Esterel is the ideal terrain for a comfortable hike, but is always different.

Details

225205
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.57 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 807 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 823 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 659 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 69 ft

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the Col de Belle Barbe car park.
(S/E) Take the GR track above the Vallon du Grenouillet until the Ford.

(1) Continue ahead, climbing the Ravin du Mal Infernet until the Lac de l’Écureuil: It is a lake but has been empty for years.

(2)
Walk along it on this track, ignoring the next two trails to your right that go around the lake. Continue in the direction of points 139 and then 212 opposite the Sommet des Redonnets higher up, and reach the Croupe Baptiston.

(3) Continue fully west past a small lake on your right. Go back to the Baisse de la Grosse Vache.

(4) Take the GR opposite in the direction of point 180. Then go down to the right toward the next Ford, (picnic possible along the stream).

(5) Climb the track to reach the Ruisseau de Maraval stream.

(6) Continue straight along the stream up to the Pont des Cantines bridge, where's there's a confluence of streams.

(7)Cross the bridge and take the track along the Ruisseau (stream) du Perthus, whereby you'll enter the Perthus Ravine, without any difficulty, continuing until the Pont du Perthus.

(9)Turn left to go back to the Col du Mistral.
Be careful not to take the track on the left but one that descends back to your departure point at the Col de Belle Barbe (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 144 ft - Car park - Col de Belle Barbe
  2. 1 : mi 0.67 - alt. 69 ft - Foré - Agay (fleuve)
  3. 2 : mi 2.11 - alt. 200 ft - Lac de l'Ecureuil
  4. 3 : mi 3.16 - alt. 499 ft - Croupe Baptiston
  5. 4 : mi 3.86 - alt. 659 ft - Baisse de la Grosse Vache (201m)
  6. 5 : mi 4.81 - alt. 384 ft - Foré
  7. 6 : mi 5.44 - alt. 361 ft - Ruisseau de Maraval
  8. 7 : mi 6.04 - alt. 282 ft - Canteen Bridge
  9. 8 : mi 6.99 - alt. 184 ft - Perthus Bridge
  10. 9 : mi 7.62 - alt. 302 ft - Col du Mistral (92m)
  11. S/E : mi 8.57 - alt. 148 ft - Col de Belle Barbe car park

Notes

There are no water-filling points in the Massif de l'Esterel. Avoid the summer and doing this hike in intense heat.
Be careful in the Massif because there is very little signage, get a map.

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

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

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 21 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
Florence Bayada
Florence Bayada

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 13, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

full of flowers at this time of year, magical

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Espedaillac
Espedaillac

Thank you for the pleasure of hiking L'Esterel is a beautiful place for the winter season, you get to the end and then it's too hot. Come and discover the Mercantour, some magical hikes, believe me, I've been on these trails for nearly 50 years.

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ptk
ptk

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

Super hike, beautiful and varied, excellent for a warm-up at the start of the season. Shame about the tarmac return from 8, but it's the only way to finish with a loop.
Thanks to Mich1383 of 10/12/24 for the suggestion to take the path below at point 5: it really makes the route more attractive!
And, above all, thanks to Espedaillac for posting it online.

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Alain Revello
Alain Revello

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 29, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Magnificent hike in the Esterel. And what's more, after the rain that fell in the region, the streams were full. And to complete the charm, there are many cork oaks. Not to be missed.

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Espedaillac
Espedaillac

That's the Esterel, there's a lot to do

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danysm
danysm

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 07, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

An incredibly wild walk just a stone's throw from the Côte d'Azur, with no difficulties whatsoever.

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Espedaillac
Espedaillac

Thank you L'Esterel is an eternal discovery

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bernard coulomb
bernard coulomb

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 12, 2024
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

This route takes in many geological structures, spectacular in their shapes and colours. Cork oaks, eucalyptus, pines and arbutus trees laden with ripe fruit accompany us along the way.
To avoid hiking entirely on wide tracks, you can go from point 3 to point 5 via the Col des Suvières, on small, well-marked, confidential paths that are not particularly difficult. This loop is the same length and mileage as the original route. It allows you to get close to all of the Suvières peaks.
As mentioned in the previous message, the path along the river between points 5 and 7 is to be preferred.
This is one of the most complete and varied routes in the Esterel!
No problem with gpx.

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mich1383
mich1383

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 10, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Part of the route is on dirt tracks, a magnificent landscape. Twice, however, the return journey is on tarmac roads, which is a shame.
On the other hand, for lovers of beautiful hidden spots, I recommend the following junction:
At point 5, after the ford, don't follow the track suggested on the route but take the first path on the left! Follow the River Gourin along a parallel path to the canteen bridge.
There are some wonderful spots to enjoy as the river meanders by, with its natural pools, crystal-clear water and huge stone slabs to rest on. A very pleasant path! It has saved the interest of this tour! I highly recommend this option!🤗

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georgina06
georgina06

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 11, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

What a lovely drive through the magnificent Esterel landscapes! Thanks for sharing.

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Jeff Rattler
Jeff Rattler

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 01, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

Very nice at the start .... and in the middle, but a long walk on tarmac at the end, which is a shame!
(after the bridge)

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Espedaillac
Espedaillac

Keep hiking, it's good for everything. Hiking in the Esterel massif is now back on track, as the season lends itself to it, while we wait for the snow in the Mercantour.

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TMV83
TMV83

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 06, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very nice route with different views and landscapes. For once, I was able to follow the route from start to finish using the app, having downloaded the map. Thank you
However, I had the impression that I was doing a lot more than 8 km (with an OK gradient), perhaps because it was the start of the new season!

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Espedaillac
Espedaillac

Thank you Indeed, the Esterel is not recommended in summer, sometimes even in high winds or when there is a risk of fire. As for mountain bikes, as someone else would say, you have to deal with them as long as everyone respects each other. Keep on riding and see you soon on the trails

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Domisica
Domisica

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 23, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A wide track, but unfortunately you have to be careful with mountain bikes, especially on the lower part. Superb discovery of the Esterel even if the end of the circuit is on a road (without car). Not to be done when it's too hot as there's a lot of unshaded sections!

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