Fort de la Croix Faron starting from Toulon

Route on the rocky slopes of Mont Faron, starting between Toulon and La Valette-du-Var, practically in the town centre.
The appeal of this hike is its slightly challenging and wild nature in the immediate vicinity of Toulon.

Details

2807460
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.83 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 55 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 435 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 435 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 549 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 114 m
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ District: Toulon (83200|83100|83000)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 43.134922° / E 5.971159°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 3346OT
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Photos

Description of the walk

Park along the old Valette road.

(S/E) Head north to climb a fairly steep concrete road for 200 metres and reach the water tanks.

(1) Turn right and keep left at the fork immediately after. Pass between the pillars of an old gate (red letterbox on the left pillar) and stay on the path until the end of the concrete.

(2) After a hairpin bend, look for an abandoned tarmac machine on the right with the entrance to a house (path on the left). Continue straight ahead on the path, following four bends.

(3) About 150 metres after the last bend, turn left onto a forest path. Keep heading west-northwest for about 600 metres, ignoring the paths on either side.

(4) Turn right to begin climbing over the rocks in a north-easterly direction, and follow the path towards the fort, which you will begin to see.

(5) Turn left to reach the fort, walk along it and veer right at the south-west corner. Keep the fort on your right and follow the Mont Faron road opposite, avoiding entering the restricted area. On the right, you will reach the panoramic viewpoint of the cliff overlooking Le Coudon, La Valette and La Garde, the Toulon hinterland.

(6) Take the same route back.

(5) Ignore the path going up on the right, continue straight ahead for a few dozen metres, then take a path that branches off to the left. The descent is very steep, a little challenging and very rocky, requiring good footwear.

(3) Retrace your steps to return to the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 114 m - Parking on the Ancien Chemin de la Valette
  2. 1 : km 0.34 - alt. 186 m - Water tanks
  3. 2 : km 0.82 - alt. 249 m - Tarmac road
  4. 3 : km 1.56 - alt. 327 m - Start of forest trail
  5. 4 : km 2.23 - alt. 412 m - Start of the scree slope
  6. 5 : km 2.68 - alt. 471 m - Crossroads: L/ left - R/ opposite
  7. 6 : km 3.24 - alt. 547 m - Panoramic viewpoint
  8. S/E : km 5.83 - alt. 114 m - Parking on the Ancien Chemin de la Valette

Notes

Faron cable car, fountain.
Wear good shoes as the paths are quite rocky.
(3) Alternative: if you want to avoid the stony descent from (5 to 3) on the way back, it is better to take this section on the way up and return via the same route you took on the way there, which passes through point (4).

Worth a visit

A few shops and restaurants.
Faron Memorial Museum.
Faron Zoo.

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 12 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.4 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
Aquariel
Aquariel

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 07, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

No worries on this somewhat challenging route (especially the descent version 2). Magnificent views at the fort.

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User 26812451

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 04, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

great trail, but watch out for large rocks. Bring hiking boots and walking sticks

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MAROTZKI
MAROTZKI

Thank you for your comment.

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FabetTsuko
FabetTsuko

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

Very beautiful hike. The route is really nice, but on the way back from point 5 to point 3, the path is really difficult, with lots of loose rocks... So be careful. The route is not very well frequented.

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MAROTZKI
MAROTZKI

Thank you for your comment.

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ACAHIER
ACAHIER

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 15, 2024
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We did this hike in November. The climb is steep in places and difficult when you're scrambling over scree. Once you reach the fort, you can admire the view of the sea and also the hillside towards the Tourris road. You come back down via a different, very pleasant path. A wonderful discovery.

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Dacricri28
Dacricri28

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 27, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

We did this hike recently. At one point in the description, after several turns, we weren't sure where to go... So we took a path on the left as indicated, but we couldn't see the fort as described. Then we arrived at Fort Faron and not Fort La Croix Faron. There was still a long way to go to reach the other fort located higher up.

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addagio13
addagio13

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 03, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

One of the few climbs in the area where you are in the shade most of the time, which is great for preparing for summer hikes when the heat arrives
The view of the harbour at the foot of Fort de la Croix Faron is magnificent, and there is a great spot in the shade under a pine tree for relaxing when you arrive.
The route is easy to follow except at point 4. An old scrap metal electricity pylon will indicate that you have arrived, and you will then need to look for the north-east facing path on your right.
You can easily do this hike in trainers if you use the same path on the way back as you did on the way there.

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deunis
deunis

Thank you very much, I will try again soon. Have a good evening.

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MAROTZKI
MAROTZKI

Good evening,
Please refer to the Visorando map under the summary tab. The starting point is located around 91 on the old Valette road, which continues and climbs very steeply on a cement path. The section 'Go to the starting point with Waze' will take you directly to the starting point. There should be no problem.
Best regards

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deunis
deunis

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 22, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

I wanted to do this route starting from the old La Valette road heading north, but there are lots of private roads at the start. Should I take a road at the top or bottom of the old La Valette road, and roughly which street number? Thank you in advance.

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Kagnawi
Kagnawi
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 30, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant little walk at the end of the day! A great description and map, everything you need is there, so all you have to do is push on and climb! The few kilometres are well worth it because the view is exceptional.

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GaetCR7
GaetCR7

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 19, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Many thanks to the person who wrote the description, which was very detailed and clear. I had a little trouble finding my way at point 4, where you have to climb the rocky slope on the right, but I'm a beginner, so that's probably normal .
On that note, I found this hike to be quite challenging, especially between stages 4 and 5. The final climb to the fort is very steep and physically demanding, but the view was definitely worth it – it's magnificent!
Much of the hike towards the end is very rocky, so be sure to wear good shoes!

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Binsou
Binsou

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 09, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

For me, who didn't know the place or the region at all, there were no signposts, which was a shame, especially as it was not far from a town. It was difficult to follow the right path, which had lots of branches off it (which one to choose?). My friend and I often got a bit lost. But it was a beautiful walk.

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Pajama!
Pajama!

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 05, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A challenging hike with quite a bit of elevation gain over a short distance, but with stunning views from the summit and glorious weather for January.

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