Circular of the Gros Cerveau starting from Bandol

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A tour of Gros Cerveau, climbing through the woods with magnificent 360° views of the coast. The red route, which follows theGR® at times.

Details

n°7434962
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.79 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 503 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 498 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 433 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 100 m
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Photos

Gaou
Sanary
La Seyne Six-Fours
Cave

Description of the walk

Park on Chemin de la Piole Venel near the path indicated by a large sign and clearly marked with blue and red markings.

(S/E) Take this path and you will soon come to a crossroads after the houses.

(1) Take the left-hand path and begin a short climb followed by an equally short descent, then climb again. After a right-hand bend followed by a left-hand bend, you will reach a crossroads.

(2) Take it to the right for a few metres, then leave it to the right at the next crossroads to take the path, which is a shortcut allowing you to rejoin the same track higher up. At elevation 269, take it to the left, continue straight ahead and arrive at the crossroads ofthe GR®51marked in red and white. Continue left on theGR® until you reach the Ouvrage de la Pointe.

(3) Stay on theGR® trail as you return to the track, then continue along it, turning left onto the ridge to reach the junction leading to the Grotte du Garou cave. You can access the cave by taking the path on the left and returning the same way.

(4) Continue slightly uphill, still on theGR® trail, until you finally reach the climbing site.

(5) Stay on theGR® trail, passing close to a DFCI water tank, then climb one last time to reach the summit of Gros Cerveau.

(6) Go around it: to do this, leave theGR® and find a yellow marked trail. Continue along this trail to reach a viewpoint at an altitude of 360 metres.

(7) Continue straight ahead on the track to reach a new climbing site.

(8) Take the path on the left. Make a large circular loop to the right. When you reach a new track, take it to the right, slightly uphill. At the next hairpin bend, go downhill and you will come to another hairpin bend. A few metres after thissecond bend, you will find a crossroads.

(9) Leave the track and take a path on the left. Continue through the forest to find the initial crossroads you passed on the way there.

(1) Turn left and you will soon reach the Chemin de la Piole Venel car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 103 m - Parking: Chemin de la Piole Venel
  2. 1 : km 0.13 - alt. 106 m - Crossroads of the circular
  3. 2 : km 1.37 - alt. 186 m - Track junction
  4. 3 : km 2.35 - alt. 298 m - Ouvrage de la Pointe
  5. 4 : km 3.22 - alt. 261 m - Garou Cave
  6. 5 : km 4.56 - alt. 356 m - 1st climbing site
  7. 6 : km 6.3 - alt. 426 m - Gros Cerveau
  8. 7 : km 7.55 - alt. 361 m - Belvedere
  9. 8 : km 8.1 - alt. 350 m - 2nd climbing site
  10. 9 : km 9.89 - alt. 259 m - Crossroads after hairpin bend
  11. S/E : km 10.79 - alt. 105 m - Parking: Chemin de la Piole Venel

Notes

Note: you can start from Bandol Zoo, but the road is narrow on this section of the outward and return journey and is not particularly interesting.

(4) Access to the Garou cave is not signposted from the car park. It is also a little difficult, as you have to climb down a steep slope, then climb up again, using rings in the rock. Access to the mezzanine in the cave is via a very narrow chimney with no handholds.
Otherwise, there are no particular difficulties. The scenery is magnificent.

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.

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Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 21 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.4 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
User 17880564
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 20, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A family hike on 19 April.
Highlights:
- stunning views from the ridge, stretching from La Ciotat to Saint-Mandrier on the coast and the Sainte Baume massif and Le Castellet inland.
- a good half of the route runs through a pine forest (pleasant when it’s hot)
- The cave is truly magnificent (but very tricky to get to; you need to be agile).

Cons:
- No car park at the start (only one space available; otherwise you have to park further down, which adds to the walk)
- Impossible to reach point no. 3 (a barrier with a no entry sign and a ‘military zone – no entry’ sign prevented us from going there, a shame)

The walk is still very beautiful; it’s a climb at the start but it doesn’t last very long. The GR between points 3 and 4 is quite challenging and exposed; you can take the road for an easier route. The view is truly magnificent, even though we found it quite hot. Relatively few people around.

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User 19027776

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 07, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Please note: there is no car park at the starting point.
We weren’t paying enough attention and missed the entrance to the cave... a lovely walk with stunning views

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Vivianne
Vivianne

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 09, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We went hiking this weekend and didn't see anyone else. It was a superb hike, a little technical, especially as it had rained heavily the night before, so the descent was very slippery. The scenery was magnificent. The signposting was excellent, so it was impossible to get lost.

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Danlecho
Danlecho

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 01, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Great hike with technical sections, but still easy for experienced hikers. I recommend it.

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Nicol@$
Nicol@$

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 31, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Superb hike on 30/3/2025. Ideal temperature.
Very varied hike with superb scenery.
Technical section +++ to reach the Garou cave.
We did it with our 10-year-old son, who is used to hiking.
Requires good physical condition.

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Socaliadar83
Socaliadar83

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 02, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike with some technical sections requiring good physical condition
Hike completed in 3 hours and 40 minutes with numerous breaks and an elevation gain of 540 metres
The trail is very well marked
Please note that the gate to the Gros Cerveau fort on the route is closed, so you will need to go around the fort to the north
I recommend this hike, especially in good weather, to admire the many panoramic views of the bays of Bandol and Sanary-sur-Mer.

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Xris83
Xris83

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 08, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The sun was shining and, what's more, there was no wind. The hike was pleasant as we followed part of the GR51 trail. I even came across a herd of goats and billy goats.
There are some very narrow passages, particularly on the ridges of the Gros Cerveau, where you need to be careful. Walking sticks and hiking boots are essential.
There are two possible trails marked in blue or red. Then, when you take the section of the GR51, the markings are white and red.
During my hike, there were hunters. A sign at the trailhead was posted to warn us. That's why I also wore a yellow vest.
There are only two possible parking spaces for cars at the starting point.

I recommend this hike.

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Fibie83
Fibie83

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 03, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike with views of all the mountains and the bay of Toulon.
It was a bit windy, but the view was perfectly clear.
No particular difficulty. Easy.
Thanks to the author

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Joel7842
Joel7842

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 26, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful, varied hike with stunning views. Varied terrain (paths, trails, rocks, etc.)
At point 6, you have to walk past the building. It is no longer possible to cross it (gates) AND as indicated in the various reviews. No parking available at the start. It is best to park around the animal park just after passing under the motorway and continue on foot along the Sainte Trinide path... (It's about 1km more x 2)

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benpou
benpou

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

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

Hello, hike completed on Sunday 14/04/24. To reach the Garou cave, take the path at the signpost on the left, passing by a large rock. The descent requires some downclimbing at times, so it is recommended that you attach your walking sticks to your rucksack. Good hiking boots are essential and walking sticks are recommended. Take 2 litres of water as some parts of the route are in full sun. Very beautiful views on both sides of the ridges.

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Verotif
Verotif

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 14, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We walked this trail during the week, out of season. We enjoyed beautiful views of the sea and the mountainous hinterland, and the military buildings are the most historic. We recommend starting this hike at point 8, as there is a proper car park there. At the start, there is no car park as such (we were able to park because it was out of season). We couldn't find the trail leading to the cave. At point 9, you have to leave the track and take the path on the left. As a reference point, it descends just before some abandoned military shelters. We followed the GPX track rather than the map and it was fine. A beautiful, slightly challenging hike – walking poles and good shoes recommended

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randodumercredi
randodumercredi

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 02, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

There is no car park at the indicated point. Leaving your car on the side of the road is not recommended as it hinders vehicles passing each other on this narrow road. Therefore, out of respect for local residents, we parked in the car park near the "olive tree garden". The detour adds 2.2 km to the route. At point 9, take a short detour to discover this geological curiosity: "Curade Rock", which looks like a frozen wave.
In total: 14.5 km and 729 m of cumulative elevation gain and at least 6 hours of walking.
The work at the Gros Cerveau site seems to be finished: it is impossible to enter the enclosure, as everything is fenced off.
After the beautiful aerial passage of the GR between points 3 and 4, access to the Garou cave does not seem so difficult.
Panoramic view guaranteed.

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Remi Gravey
Remi Gravey

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 30, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No


Everything is very well signposted except for the small path leading to the Garou cave, which we had to search for
when you reach the bottom of the ridge path, you must immediately take the small path that branches off to the left towards the cliff.
The Garou cave is well worth a detour for its short walk
In the upper part, buildings have been constructed or renovated, which has changed the path
Otherwise, it's a great hike

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ferrari174
ferrari174

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 21, 2023
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 beautiful views of the surrounding area.

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patrick36
patrick36

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 29, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

You have to be prepared from the outset for a somewhat difficult first section due to a climb over rocks

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