Col de l'Évêque starting from Pointe de Maubois

de fr

A circular walk with lovely views of the Pointe de Maubois and the Pointe du Cap Roux. Two passes are crossed without difficulty, but there are some tricky sections for walkers prone to vertigo. The paths are stony and good walking boots are recommended.

Details

n°18805939
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.47 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 20 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 265 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 265 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 282 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 36 m
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Photos

Start

Description of the walk

Easy parking along the D1098 opposite the “Calanques de Maubois” bus stop.

(S/E) Cross the road carefully and take the path opposite. You will soon reach a junction.

(1) Take the second path on the left behind the pine tree. Stay on the main path which winds along the hillside.

(2) At the next junction, continue to the right, almost directly opposite, and you will reach a three-way junction. Take the second path on the left, which runs diagonally, and you will reach another junction.

(3) Take the path on the left marked with a blue X, not the one furthest to the left. You will reach the Col de l'Évêque car park.

(4) Take the path to the right of the picnic table to begin the descent. Walk along the upper edge of the Aurelle valley and reach a U-shaped junction.

(5) Turn right.

(1) Keep left to reach the N98, then cross over to return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 36 m - Car park N98
  2. 1 : km 0.19 - alt. 62 m - Crossing the circular loop
  3. 2 : km 1.99 - alt. 279 m - Crossroads, opposite
  4. 3 : km 2.85 - alt. 239 m - Second path on the left, Blue Cross
  5. 4 : km 3.27 - alt. 160 m - Car park and picnic table - Col de l'Evêque (159m)
  6. 5 : km 4.37 - alt. 37 m - U-shaped junction
  7. S/E : km 5.47 - alt. 36 m - Car park N98

Notes

In summer, it can get very hot in some sections, although there are sections in the shade of trees.

Reviews and comments

3.9 / 5
Based on 6 reviews
Reliability of the description
3.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
3.8 / 5
Route interest
4.2 / 5
Heyd F
Heyd F

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

This hike is classified as "easy" but there are a few tricky sections, so I would classify it as moderate difficulty. Good footwear is essential for crossing the scree slopes.

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joemarie
joemarie

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 21, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike with great views, easy to follow if you read the comments carefully and look closely at the Visorando route map. I missed the first junction but got back on track a little later.
It is classified as easy, but it is not a walk in the park. You need to wear good footwear, as you will be walking over rocks, and some people may experience a bit of vertigo.

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Johnnys
Johnnys

Overall rating : 2.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 12, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : No

PIC CAP ROUX - ESTERELLE - on my planned route, calculated at 6.57 km on arrival according to the recorded route, >12 km???
First part >< 3 km Easy, but then a path with mountains of large rocks to cross throughout the route
Quite dangerous, we had two falls, one of which could have ended very badly as we fell at the edge of a hole while slipping on these large stones that give way underfoot (caught by our feet!!!!) The rest of the path is narrow with head-high bushes and very slippery - you sometimes have to use your hands.
Conclusion: apart from some great views, I would classify this hike as RED (difficult) for experienced hikers.

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Johnny-43
Johnny-43

Overall rating : 2.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 23, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

I got a bit confused by the directions. I went up without being sure. Afterwards, as I wasn’t sure of anything, I decided to go back down the way I’d come.

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Cathc
Cathc

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 23, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Pros: Stunning sea and mountain views; paths lined with fragrant rosemary
Cons: some areas could do with a bit of pruning One or two slightly tricky sections for those not used to it, otherwise no major difficulties
Stony terrain requiring suitable footwear, especially on the descent
Hike completed in 2 hours 10 minutes with several photo stops by occasional walkers

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LaBoucherieSanzot
LaBoucherieSanzot

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 24, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The start isn't very obvious. It's the path that starts behind the "Les Calanques de Maubois" bus stop.
After that, it’s a lovely walk, with a steady, gentle climb.
The end of the walk, on the path between the Col de l’Evêque and the finish, isn’t well maintained: prickly branches and overgrown vegetation could do with a go with the brush cutter.
Otherwise, magnificent scenery with red rocks plunging into the blue water.
You can swim at the finish (Cap Roux beach), but be warned, it’s a nudist beach!

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philip
philip

I wanted to go on this hike, but as I couldn’t find the starting point, I parked a little further on at the tip of the observatory, where the hiking trails are clearly marked. And I took a path leading off from there.
I then went back to the presumed start of this hike and this time I spotted it, which led me to make the following observations:
- the road is not called the N98, but the D558
- There are many bus stops on this road and the name of the stop should be mentioned.
- rather than ‘easy parking’, it should be mentioned that you park next to the bus stop on the sea side and that there is very little space

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