L'Amarron from Garéoult

A fairly challenging hike to a little-visited summit with splendid views of the coast, the Maures, Sainte Baume, Sainte Victoire and the Verdon.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 12.51 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 20 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 603 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 599 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 768 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 412 m

Photos

Description of the walk

In Garéoult, join the D554 which bypasses the village. At a roundabout, a sign indicates Cimetière (Cemetery). Take the road that passes between the two sections of the cemetery (Chemin des Clos). At all subsequent intersections, continue straight ahead until the end of the paved section. A track (Piste du Défens) branches off to the left at two underground cisterns. Park just after these, in a large, fairly busy car park.

(S/E) Take the stony track that climbs up from the end of the road. Pass the Bergerie du Défens, an antenna on the left and a horse park on the right. Continue to an intersection.

(1) Continue straight ahead on a steeply sloping track, pass an intersection coming from the right to reach another intersection with a nice track also coming from the right.

(2) Turn left onto this track for about 30 metres, then turn onto a well-marked path on the right that starts in the cleared area. Further on, cross the track to continue on the path, which leads back to the track.

(3) Follow it to the right until you reach a traffic island with a reservoir on the right. A few metres after this, a cairn marks the start of a path on the left.

(4) Follow it, pass a viewpoint offering a beautiful view of the Amarron and the Loube, continue on this path which descends to a pass at a four-way junction.

(5) Ignore the trail that continues straight ahead. Take the path on the left, which quickly veers to the right and eventually descends into a small scree slope bordering the bed of a stream. Continue along the path to reach another fork.

(6) Take the path on the right, which is not very visible at first as it crosses the stream bed and may be damaged. Follow this path slightly uphill to reach another fork.

(7) Take the path on the right, which climbs steeply, and follow it to the pass, with views of La Loube, the coast to the south and Le Verdon to the north.

(8) At this pass (altitude 574), turn right onto the path that climbs gently eastwards into the forest. Ignore a path on the left that leads to the Dolmen de l'Amarron (not worth visiting as it is in ruins) and continue climbing, this time on a very steep slope. You will arrive at a flatter area at the edge of a rock face. From this very open spot, you can climb to the top of the rock face for an exceptional view; this is a good place to stop, as the rest of the route is through forest with no view.

(9) Continue along the path that passes through the forest before returning to a viewpoint overlooking the south. Pass an old open fence and arrive at a fork.

(10) Follow the path on the right, which descends to a crossroads with four paths.

(11) Turn onto the path furthest to the right and descend the very steep slope. You will come to the crossroads you took on the way up.

(5) Turn left onto the path that leads into a small valley, then onto a track which you cross to continue opposite, into the valley, arriving at another cross track.

(12) Take this track uphill to the right and follow it, ignoring a track junction on the right, to return to the initial fork.

(1) Turn left onto the track to return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 414 m - Car park after two cisterns
  2. 1 : km 0.35 - alt. 456 m - Crossing of the 1st circular
  3. 2 : km 0.79 - alt. 532 m - Junction with the track
  4. 3 : km 1.47 - alt. 606 m - Trail/track intersection
  5. 4 : km 2.23 - alt. 625 m - Reservoir - Trailhead
  6. 5 : km 3.43 - alt. 583 m - Crossing of the 2nd circular
  7. 6 : km 4.32 - alt. 510 m - Path on the right
  8. 7 : km 4.69 - alt. 519 m - Fork
  9. 8 : km 6.07 - alt. 576 m - Unnamed pass
  10. 9 : km 6.71 - alt. 726 m - Rock face - Viewpoint
  11. 10 : km 7.98 - alt. 694 m - Fork
  12. 11 : km 8.24 - alt. 656 m - Crossroads
  13. 12 : km 9.9 - alt. 419 m - Track junction
  14. S/E : km 12.51 - alt. 414 m - Car park after two cisterns

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 10 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.9 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
madi83
madi83

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 09, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike in a rich forest environment. Magnificent view from the summit.
The steepness in some places and the stony ground of the trails require good physical fitness.

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Pat 13
Pat 13

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 13, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful, varied route with stunning views and unspoilt nature, not very busy during the week. At point 12, you can slightly alter the route to avoid the track by turning right onto this track for 50 metres, then left onto an uphill path. Similarly, at an altitude of 450 metres, cross the track to follow the valley.

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rumax
rumax

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 08, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Yes, there are some steep climbs and both the start and finish are very rocky, but the views are exceptional and well worth the effort!
With the aim of having the Loube massif in my field of vision, I did the second circular in the opposite direction to the one described.
When you reach the summit of Amarron, don't hesitate to take a detour north, off the trail, to discover a magnificent chaos of rocks nestled in the undergrowth.
The picnic spot recommended by the author is undoubtedly the best on the route (half shade, half sun with a beautiful view on 8 April).
Finally, on the way back, two Patou dogs were waiting for me at the bend after WPT5, protecting the herd of goats. I stopped, the herd continued on its way, and the Patou dogs were not aggressive at all.
Thank you to the author for this beautiful route.

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Trocnop
Trocnop

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 16, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The hike took 3½ hours and was quite challenging, so be sure to wear good shoes and bring walking sticks.
I joined the others at the scenic viewpoints along the route, which are definitely worth seeing.
Unfortunately, the end of the hike isn't very interesting, but I did come across a large herd of goats and three sheepdogs who weren't too happy to see me at first but were quickly reassured by a few pats.

Overall, this is a hike that requires a good level of fitness and is interesting, especially for the views.

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RandoMichou
RandoMichou

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

Start of hike somewhat spoiled by the presence of numerous hunters and dogs.
Magnificent 360° views of the islands, Mont Ventoux, Sainte-Victoire and snow-capped peaks.
Lives up to its description.
Very pleasant hike.

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PANDA 83
PANDA 83

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 18, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Beautiful panoramic views.
A welcome break at point 9.
Pleasant forest trails.
A lovely outing.
Thank you.

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phildaix
phildaix

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 13, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful walk with sumptuous landscapes. A little challenging, indeed. The return between WP12 and S/E is not very interesting.
Note that between WP1 and WP2 there is no intersection with tracks, contrary to what the map says; you have to turn left at 2 to find the track. Otherwise, there are often red markings (arrows) that help at junctions.

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lynxwg13
lynxwg13

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 16, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike with magnificent scenery. Not very busy at this time of year. However, from point 7 to point 9 it's quite challenging, but what a view at the highest point!

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lombrequimarche
lombrequimarche

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 09, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely hike with some "nice little climbs", despite overcast skies, beautiful panoramic views of the coastline and the hinterland. Very pretty undergrowth on the descent from Amaron, and despite long tracks on the way back, a good day without too many difficulties.

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CHERVET
CHERVET

Hello, Route planned, so not yet completed.

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Aquariel
Aquariel

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 12, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Steep ascents and descents in spectacular scenery: a beautiful hike that we thoroughly enjoyed; we had a picnic on top of the cliff as recommended, with a splendid view. The trail after point 11, after crossing the circular track, is very muddy. We only encountered one group of four hikers.

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