The Crête des Grues from Le Trayas

The hike starts at Trayas station (in the municipality of Saint-Raphaël), with a dozen train stops per day. If you come by car, there are parking spaces on either side of the railway line or along Rue Georges Hechter.

(S/E) From Trayas station, take the Trayas forest path (H49) between the railway line and the cliff. Follow this marked path westwards for about 400 metres to reach a crossroads.

(1) Leave the Chemin du Trayas and turn right. When you reach a fork in the road, keep to the right until you reach the junction with the GR®51.

(2) Take the hairpin bend to the right onto the GR®51 and its red and white markings. Climb towards the Col de Notre-Dame along this stony path,admiring the superb views of the sea and the Lérins Islands.

(3) Please note that there is road access to Col Notre-Dame, so take care when approaching the crossroads. Cross the crossroads, leave the road on your right (this is the return route) and take the GR®51 path which climbs (marker 503 indicating the direction of Les Grues) over hilly terrain. After a few hundred metres, you will reach a place called "Crête des Petits Trayas", where a large rock blocks the path.

(4) Cross the escarpment or go around it on the right. The slope becomes steeper, heading north to the summit of Les Petites Grues. Once at the summit, enjoy a beautiful view of the Pre-Alps in the distance (on a clear day.

(5) Continue straight ahead to descend quickly, then climb northwards towards the second summit of Les Grues. An imposing relay antenna has been built at Les Grosses Grues.Admire the 360° views.

(6) Start the descent on the left via the switchbacks towards the Col de la Cadière (marker 522), a crossroads of many paths.

(7) From the pass, leave the GR® and turn left onto a wide DFCI track, which is partly paved. It climbs gently to Col Notre-Dame. Personal opinion: this less attractive part of the route is rather welcome as it gives your knees a rest.

(3) Back at marker 503 andCol Notre-Dame, retrace your steps in the opposite direction, remembering to turn left at point (2), and descend toTrayas station (S/E).

https://randoxygene.departement06.fr/annuaire-des-randonnees/crete-des-grues: route partially closed from Théoule

https://www.toujoursplushaut06.fr/Description/Petites-Grosses-Grues: the route that inspired me for this hike

This route is not recommended during the hot season, despite several passages through the undergrowth, as the difficulty is accentuated by the heat and there is no water along the route. Furthermore, the Massif de L'Estérel is sometimes closed to hikers during the summer due to the risk of forest fires.

Stunning sea views with red cliffs plunging into the Mediterranean.

Views of the snow-capped peaks of the Pre-Alps in winter.