Callian (Var) walks

A hike between two hilltop villages! Set off to explore Montauroux and Callian by taking the GR® de Pays trail in the Chapelle Saint-Donat valley. The hike starts in the village of Callian.

This is a very shady hike that starts in Montouroux, descends to the Siagne through woods, passes by the beautiful Pont des Tuves bridge and its swimming spots, and returns through a beautiful forest of centuries-old oak trees. ⚠️ 15/09/2025: It appears to be impossible to start the hike at the starting point and connect to point 2: private path with signs and fencing. Hike awaiting verification.

A beautiful walk along the Siagne, through the woods, with some lovely surprises in store: the Tuve bridge and its waterfall, a beautiful little beach, numerous ruins that bear witness to a major agricultural activity in the past, and a forest of centuries-old oaks that is nothing short of fairytale forest. In short, it's the perfect tour for nature lovers and those who enjoy a refreshing swim.

A very pleasant route through the Gorges de la Siagne, the river that forms the border between the Var and Alpes-Maritimes departments. On the way back, a visit to the sanctuary of remarkable oak trees will be a pleasant way to round off this route. 

A short trip to the end of Lake Saint-Cassien in the Fondurane area. A beautiful climb at the start and a superb view of the Estérel.

During this hike, you will discover the restored old Boudoura wash house and the ruins of the Moulin Brûlé mill, now disused. The forest is bordered to the north by the Siagnole, to the south by the Camiole, and to the west by the Chautard: so much water! To the north of the Tuilerie or Tuilière plateau and Lavagne lies the Tourrettes State Forest, criss-crossed by numerous underground and above-ground canals and aqueducts, dotted with manholes and water catchments: the Acates, the Jas Neuf, Fontanouille, and Font-Bouillen.

After crossing the village centre, which has retained its feudal appearance, you will walk along magnificent paths, some of which are paved slanting streets. This hike is reserved for lovers of wooded areas and places steeped in history, as numerous remains bear witness to the intense activity that took place here until the early 20th century.

Starting from the charming village of Saint-Cézaire-sur-Siagne, you will explore the Siagne Gorges. On the programme: - descent to the Saint-Saturnin Chapel, - walk along the Siagne canal, - crossing the splendid Pont des Gabres (or Pont des Tuves, depending on which bank you are on), - climb back up this wild river with its crystal-clear waters and return to the village for a lovely view of this beautiful valley.

From the small Provençal village of Saint-Cézaire-sur-Siagne, this partly shaded route, running alongside the water and following ancient paths, will take you back in time. You will cross the famous Pont des Tuves bridge, walk up the banks of the Siagne river, passing the ruins of the old paper mill, then the Pont des Moulins bridge, before returning to the Siagne Canal to its water intake. The return journey is via the old Pont de Mons bridge.

Lake Saint-Cassien is held back by a dam on the Biançon river, designed to provide electricity. Take advantage of this hike to admire the magnificent views of the lake and the dam. The lake covers an area of 420 hectares. It is also fed by a diversion from the Siagne river. A fishing spot that attracts many enthusiasts of all nationalities, it is home to particularly large carp and catfish. It also serves as a training ground for rowing clubs and a water collection site for Canadair aircraft during forest fires. Lake Saint-Cassien is located in the municipalities of Montauroux, Tanneron, Callian and Les Adrets de l'Estérel. After this beautiful walk, don't hesitate to take advantage of the water sports activities offered by the lake.

A lovely family walk in the forest to discover old sites and visit a teaching farm (cows, sheep, goats, donkeys, ponies, horses, etc.).

The shepherds of Provence offer us wonders along this short hike: the drystone shelters and their exceptional architecture. The Seillan drystone shelters were built between the18th and19th centuries, a period when land clearing and cultivation developed. The hills were then all cultivated in terraces, restanques and banquettes where chickpeas, wheat, barley, vines, olive trees and fruit trees grew. These huts provided shelter for farmers and their tools. Shaped like igloos, they maintain the same temperature in summer and winter, providing good protection against the heat or the mistral wind. Why are there so many drystone shelters in Seillans (more than 80!) and so few in neighbouring villages? It remains a mystery!

A family hike to discover Mons, the Oratory of Saint-Pierre and the Riens megalith. The Riens dolmen is located in the centre of a tumulus and housed collective tombs. The commune of Mons has several dolmens from the late Neolithic period, which bear witness to an important social group more than 4,000 years ago. The capstones of the Riens dolmen are missing; it housed collective tombs. One of them probably lies on the ground on the north side, the other has disappeared. The entrance to the chamber is very unusual, with an ogive shape not found anywhere else. Two other dolmens without capstones can be seen on the path leading to Escragnoles: the Colle dolmen and the Brainée dolmen.

A beautiful, easy circular in the Esterel via wide tracks with a visit to the ruins of the Malpasset dam.

Set against a majestic backdrop, this hike retraces a painful historical event: the collapse of the Malpasset Dam, which caused a deadly flood to sweep through the town of Fréjus on the night of 2 December 1959. This spath-fluorite deposit was discovered in themid-19th century. Initially mined by hand to supply glassworks, it was later actively exploited for the steel and aluminium industries.

Enjoyable hike on the GR®49. Overlook the lake with magnificent views and let yourself be carried away by the small paths that will lead you to the lake's edge. Les Esterets du Lac is an estate that was created in the commune of Montauroux. It was a hunting ground on which trade unionists from Thompson and other companies planned to build a housing and commercial development. To this end, they formed a cooperative in 1970, "Le Soleil des Adrets", and began construction. After various ups and downs, a developer took over the work in 1991. This neighbourhood developed rapidly and its population, attracted by the charm of the site and its proximity to the lake and the motorway, now exceeds 1,400 inhabitants.

Lake Saint-Cassien covers a total of 420 hectares. This hike follows the GR®49 on the left bank of the lake. The return journey is via a PR® and then an unmarked path before rejoining the GR®49. A shaded route, close to magnificent hilltop villages, offering the opportunity to picnic by the water's edge.

An easy walk that showcases the heritage of Mons (dolmen, old canal, wash house, chapel, etc.). This walk combines culture and family fun, with clear views of Cannes and Saint-Raphaël at the start of the route. At the end of the walk, you will find yourself almost in the heart of the village of Mons, classified as a "village of character". The Écho du Baou association offers guided and commented tours of this walk. It is a hiking route and a digital trail.

Lac du Rioutard is a hillside reservoir dating back to 1974. During this hike, discover an exceptional natural setting and a botanical trail created in 2007 by the Respire association, where you can learn about Mediterranean plant species. The dam covers an area of 5.8 hectares and has a capacity of 200,000 m³ of water. The dam is 14 metres high. Fishing enthusiasts can try their hand at catching tench, carp or perch. The botanical trail is marked by around thirty botanical panels highlighting Mediterranean plant species: stone pine, maritime pine, cork oak, holm oak, Montpellier rockrose, arbutus, juniper, tree heath, cade, mastic tree, thorny broom, thyme, etc.

This is a physically demanding hike, but the wooded areas you will pass through are remarkable. The highlight of the day is the passage through the tunnels bordering the Siagne cliffs. The Deux Goules cave is one of the local attractions.

A short, easy climb to a peak in the Haut Var with a 360° view and the chance to see some megalithic ruins. A beautiful walk through the heath.

Between the Maures mountains and the forests of Fayence, Seillans and Saint-Paul-en-Fôret, this hike takes you to the 11-hectare Lac de Meaulx in a densely wooded and green environment. The Riou de Méaulx hillside reservoir was built by the Syndicat Intercommunal pour l'Aménagement du Cours Supérieur de l'Endre (Intercommunal Association for the Development of the Upper Endre River). Lac de Méaulx, straddling the municipalities of Saint-Paul-en-Forêt, Seillans and Fayence, was filled with water in December 1981. The reservoir has a capacity of 900,000 m3 and a surface area of 16 hectares. Its maximum length is 1 km and the dam is 20 metres high. The lake was used as a support area for forest fire defence. Following damage, it was emptied in October 2006. Currently owned by the Community of Municipalities, it was refilled in early 2017 after renovation work.

A very pleasant walk through the heart of the Royal Forest, with its downy oaks, cork oaks and hornbeams. Several species of birds can be observed, including woodcocks and kingfishers. During the hike, you will enjoy magnificent views of Lake Méaulx. The inhabitants of Saint-Paul, steeped in a strong forestry culture, have always known how to draw resources from this forest: timber for building houses and ships, acorns for feeding pigs, wood for heating and fuelling lime kilns and craft kilns, particularly for firing tiles and glassware. From the16th century onwards, the Royal Navy consumed large quantities of timber for its ships. Today, the Royal Forest is no longer exploited, but with its downy oaks, cork oaks and hornbeams, it is a very pleasant place to walk.

A pleasant short hike through the woods, with a view of the sea, Saint-Raphaël and the Estérel halfway along the route. Majestic pines, oaks and even olive trees line the trail. In spring, rockroses will brighten up your walk, in summer cicadas and in autumn heather. At the beginning of the last century, the Var was France's largest producer of cork. The actual harvest, known as "levage", depends on the health of the tree, the heat and the rise of the sap from early June to early August. The first harvests are unsuitable for making corks and are used for insulation. After nine years, when the bark is about three centimetres thick, it is harvested to make corks. Cork also protects the tree during fires.

Very easy hike suitable for young children. The route runs alongside the Petit Riou (dry in summer) and benefits from the shade of the trees and the coolness of the valley. Magnificent waterfall at the end of the route: the Gourbachin. "Along the way, the Vauloube rushes from the top of a porphyry bank into a hollow, a veritable green chasm, where its waters, which are often turbulent after the slightest storm, have carved out a magnificent gour." The waterfall is no less than six metres high and, thanks to the overhanging rock, walkers can walk all the way around it, passing under the waterfall. The walk is fun and charming, ending at the Gour Bachin, which is a marvel." This text by L. Henseling, dating from 1934, is still relevant today.

The village of Bagnols-en-Forêt, churches and chapels located at the four cardinal points, a waterfall and an oppidum are all on the agenda for this hike, which is rich in remarkable sites to discover. Beautiful forest of pine and cork oak trees. The latter provide a unique material, bark, which regenerates after each harvest.

This is a well-known and popular circular route, best done when the mimosa is in bloom between January and March. The route is clearly marked with abundant, easy-to-read yellow signs, so it is impossible to get lost. The route alternates between shady valleys and ridges illuminated by mimosa trees. However, it should be avoided after heavy rain as there are several fords to cross. It is a relatively long hike but accessible to most walkers.

A beautiful circular walk in the Préalpes d'Azur Regional Park.This moderately difficult route will take you from the Siagne valley to Escragnoles via the Briasq Forest. You will reach the Baou Mourine watchtower, which offers exceptional views. The descent follows the Cavalet ridge to return to the starting point.

This is a large loop that goes around one of the first foothills of the Pré-Alpes d'Azur, following old paths and the Gorges de la Siagne. The loop is long but mostly flat, except for the descent to Cabris and the very steep climb back up to Saint-Vallier. The villages offer views and shops for refreshments. It is recommended to start early, as the second third of the hike will be sheltered from the southern sun, but the hardest part is exposed. There are few alternative routes or shortcuts once you are in the gorges between Saint-Cézaire and Saint-Vallier.

A peaceful walk for the whole family with superb views of the region. However, be aware that some sections may be difficult for younger children... This hike can be done in either direction without difficulty.

This short hike takes you to an old millstone quarry and a prehistoric settlement with remarkable views.

A pleasant hike to do in good weather to enjoy the view. You will discover an old millstone quarry in the heart of the red rocks with magnificent views! Enjoy the view to the south over the sea and the Argens plain and to the north over the village and the Haut-Var mountains.

A walk in an exceptional location, discovering the Blavet Gorges and the Mueron Cave, inhabited during the Bronze Age.Ideal in summer and mid-season, avoid periods of heavy rain.

Carved into red volcanic rock, the gorges offer beautiful geological features such as the Grotte de Muéron, one of the major climbing sites in the Var, and at the heart of this hike. At the foot of one of these many cliffs, you will find the prehistoric Muéron cave, which was occupied 10,000 years BC. From its very wide entrance, it extends deep into the rock and still provides shelter from storms today. Its proximity to the Blavet river and forests (a source of fuel), its southern exposure and its commanding view of the valley made it possible to follow wild herds and made it particularly attractive for camps during the Bronze Age.

This hike goes around the Malle plateau, first following the Colle du Maçon ridge and then the Doublier ridge. Most of the route is along the peaks of the Grasse Pre-Alps and offers breathtaking 360° views of the Mercantour, the Côte d'Azur and the enchanting Caussols plateau.The Malle plateau is farmed by a group of livestock breeders. This route respects the boundaries of the Malle estate, which are marked by numerous signs on the ground.

A little-used route in the Grasse hinterland. 360° view from the summit of Montagne de Thiey on the Calern Plateau, the bays of Cannes and Saint-Raphaël, the azure Pre-Alps and the Mercantour in the distance Before reaching the summit, you will pass through beautiful woodland and the livestock farming areas of Canaux.

This is a lovely, easy walk for the whole family in autumn to admire the magnificent colours of the leaves or in summer to enjoy the cool shade of the woods.