Croupatier Cave via Le Broussan

Leaving from Garde Pass, a beautiful hike through the Croupatier massif.

Technical sheet

n°228243

Creation:
21 Mar 2016

Last update:
15 Mar 2021

Last review:
6 May 2025

Activity: Walking
Distance: 7.50 km
Average duration: 2h 50
Difficulty: Moderate
Return to departure point: Yes
Vertical gain: + 255 m
Vertical drop: - 249 m
Highest point: 509 m
Lowest point: 272 m

Country: France
District: Évenos (83330)
Start/End: N 43.170612° / E 5.888113°
IGN map(s): Ref. 3346OT
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Description of the walk

Start at the Garde Pass (there is parking next to the big cistern). Access is from Toulon in the direction of Revest-les-Eaux then Broussan (D51). Be careful, the road is narrow.

(S/E) Take the road for a few metres and then head straight away to your left onto the wide path which goes downhill through the valley of the Garde Pass.

(1) Be careful not to miss the narrow path heading off (south-west direction) which will follow along the contour level.

(2) Turn sharply to the left along the small (dry) stream.

(3) Ignore the path heading off on the right and continue to climb. The path becomes more and more stony and steep. Go under an electricity line and ignore the paths heading off on both sides, instead continue uphill until you reach the GR^®51.

(4) Take the GR^®51 to the left and continue to climb, going back under the same electricity line until you reach a large cairn which indicates the branch to take to go down to the cave.

(5) Keep going up to the cliff and then take a very narrow and steep path which, in a few dozen metres, leads to the cave in the cliffs. Go back up to the last branch (cairn).

(5) Turn right onto the GR^®51. Go in front of the ruins and, a bit further on, ignore the D262 path heading off to the right and instead continue on the GR^® until you reach a crossroads with the D262 path.

(6) Turn left and then follow the GR^®51 back downhill until you reach the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

S/E : km 0 - alt. 394 m - Car park - Col du Corps de Garde (391m)
1 : km 1.02 - alt. 313 m - Small path on the left
2 : km 1.83 - alt. 277 m - Turn left along the dry stream
3 : km 1.98 - alt. 273 m - Turn right up the path
4 : km 3.87 - alt. 373 m - Turn left onto the GR 51
5 : km 4.86 - alt. 480 m - Behind a large cairn, path to the cave
6 : km 6.49 - alt. 505 m - Follow the GR on the left for the return journey
S/E : km 7.5 - alt. 394 m - Col de Garde

Practical information

No water on this relatively-short, but difficult route, due to the % of the gradient.
You need to wear good shoes due to the stones and rocks. It is essential to take a sufficient amount of water.
For BBQs in the cave, take paper and a light. There is a large area in the centre and BBQ grills. Collect dead wood on the path just before you get there.

Variation at point (6): Turn right and do a return loop (2km) to Bau de Quatre Auros (wonderful panoramic view), not described on this hike,

In the nearby area

Croupatier Cave: http://www.fichiertopo.fr/display.php?de...

Reviews and comments

4.1 / 5

Based on 37 reviews

Reliability of the description
3.8 / 5

Clarity of route map
3.9 / 5

Route interest
4.5 / 5

APM#83

May 06, 2025 at 15:12 EDT

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of walk : May 05, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

The announced time of 02:50 is wrong unless you do it running!!! given the uneven and rocky sections! Between points 3 and 4, be careful not to miss the little path that goes up on the left. Otherwise a nice walk.

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rendominique

Apr 21, 2025 at 11:35 EDT

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 20, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

A very pleasant and easy walk. Varied terrain. Track very useful for avoiding trail errors, as there is little signposting. Lovely views.

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V-P

Dec 30, 2024 at 05:35 EST

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Dec 25, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Just a point of clarification: following the storm, a tree fell on the route at ridge level and it was very difficult to cross it as the branches were still fresh! It should also be noted that the route took longer than indicated.
Otherwise a lovely hike with beautiful views, a bit sporty all the same.

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guybigot

Nov 04, 2024 at 11:25 EST

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Nov 03, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Hi, very nice walk with a variety of landscapes, views and paths. Good signposting with Visorando. For the Croupatier cave, the path is before the signposted point 5, it has the base of a cairn, on the right follow the trace on the map, steep descent and take an inconspicuous path that runs along the cliff face, 70 metres, the cave.

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Smac Team

Jul 15, 2024 at 03:14 EDT

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 22, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Pleasant walk... picnic in the cave!

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robertisa

Nov 26, 2023 at 14:44 EST

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Nov 25, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

varied circuit, great views on the second part of the loop.
You can't go wrong if you follow the GPX track.
If you go via the Croupatier cave, allow around 3h30 -4h.

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memededu83

Oct 16, 2023 at 09:19 EDT

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 15, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

We got the wrong sign at a crossroads and got a bit lost.

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ACAHIER

Oct 31, 2022 at 04:44 EDT

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 29, 2022
Reliability of the description : N/A
Clarity of route map : N/A
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

We used the downloaded track and everything went well. We enjoyed the walk, the views, the different rocks, etc. The path is often in the undergrowth, which suited us very well as we quickly became uncomfortable in the heat. The path is often in the undergrowth, which suits us very well, as we are quickly bothered by the heat. It took us 5 hours because we took the time to take photos, admire the scenery and have a picnic.
Thank you for this route

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freetime

Mar 15, 2022 at 14:06 EDT

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Mar 14, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Nice walk with no particular difficulties
The GPS track really helped us as there were lots of paths on both sides.
We did option 6 and enjoyed the magnificent panorama.
However, we did it at our own pace (5 hours).

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Freco

Mar 02, 2022 at 08:14 EST

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Feb 28, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Really nice walk ,
beautiful forest for the descent into the valley & ascent along the Destel towards the croupatier (not such a steep ascent ...)
However, the caïrn indicating the fork to the cave has been taken down! but the configuration of the area doesn't leave much room for error, otherwise no problem with the GPS tracking on the app. access to the cave is really easy.
The alternative route up to the small summit of the Col des 4 Our and the rest up to the Cap gros du Bau des 4 Our are worth the trip for the totally different environment and the panoramic view ...

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stephane.anquetil

Feb 13, 2022 at 13:41 EST

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Feb 12, 2022
Reliability of the description : N/A
Clarity of route map : N/A
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

We've done it in reverse with great success. The uphill start poses no problem in this respect.
DO bring suitable footwear for the many rocky passages / scree / paths through the rock, which are sometimes uncomfortable on the feet and knees (on the way down). There are no cliffs, so it's fine for those prone to vertigo. Be careful, the path between 4 and the ridge known as "Le télégramme" on the boundary between Evenos and Ollioules is not signposted, although it is easy to follow. Once at the top, it's the GR (with a blue trail).
Time is completely underestimated if you have children, are not in top form, etc...

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Delphine DE LUCA

Mar 20, 2021 at 14:50 EDT

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Mar 19, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

We really enjoyed this hike, but you have to follow the trail because the explanations aren't enough.
There were a lot of people in the cave that day; we found a spot sheltered from the wind above the sun with a magnificent sea view for a picnic break.
A wonderful discovery! Thanks to the contributor
I'd like to know how to reset the audible alert when you leave the route.

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p2s

Mar 15, 2021 at 12:28 EDT

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Mar 14, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A very pleasant walk, the first part a little sheltered from the westerly wind, which is more present on the ridge, but from behind, so less annoying
A very pleasant cave, even if access is not very easy.
Small corner with a nice view of the château d'Evenos just before point 4.
We made a small mistake in the triangle just after point 3, going down when you should have gone up 50 metres further on. And I think the cave is a bit further than indicated on the route
Thank you very much for this hike!

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Micmac62

Mar 06, 2021 at 10:30 EST

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Mar 05, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Thanks to Dan83 for suggesting this route. It's a fairly sporty route, but with some lovely undergrowth. The signposting is pretty consistent: yellow at the start, then yellow and blue and finally white and red for the GR. The use of a gps or app is a plus, as there are many intersecting paths. In this respect, I was able to check the effectiveness of the app's audible alarm, which at one point put me back on the right path. Worth repeating.

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Bébert 83

Nov 08, 2020 at 09:37 EST

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 09, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Take care to follow the route with a hiking software (GPS): safer guidance as there are many possible variants...

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Author

Dan83
12 walks

Walker

A walk translated by MPrice - Original version

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