La Tour Fondue on the Giens Peninsula

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A superb hike at the tip of the Giens peninsula offering magnificent views of Porquerolles Island and the coast.

Details

n°252716
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.51 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 161 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 160 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 54 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 0 m
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Photos

the molten tower
The path is often landscaped
Tour Fondue beach
Port Augier

Description of the walk

Access: From Hyères, take the D197 towards Giens and park in the car park on the left of the D197, before the roundabout between Le Pousset and La Badine.

Moderator update on 18 June 2019: access to the port of Niel has been strictly prohibited since 2001 by a municipal order.

(S/E) From the car park, turn left and join the Giens road. Turn left and follow it to the roundabout, then turn left again to follow Boulevard d'Alsace Lorraine. Continue straight ahead to reach the beautiful beach and find the coastal path (yellow markings).

(2) Follow the path closest to the sea. Take care with children as the path is steep. Pass La Baume beach, leave the access to Pointe de la Badine on your left and join the road leading to the Cap de l'Estérel military site. At the bend, continue along the path opposite towards Cap de l'Esterel.

(3) At the crossroads, turn right and walk along the land, continuing to follow the yellow markings. Join the tarmac road at the Belambra holiday club.

(4) Turn left to stay as close to the sea as possible.

(5) Be careful not to miss the yellow-marked path on the left. Follow it to the Tour Fondue.

(6) Continue along the path by the sea, passing Pradeau Beach, Port Augier and then Pointe Madame, until you reach the fence of the Sabran Hospital.
(7) Take the path on the right that climbs along the fence to the road. Turn left and join Boulevard Herriot.

(8) Turn left to go around the hospital and keep left on the road until you reach the church on Place Raymonenq.

(10) Turn left and take the stairs down towards Giens Town Hall.

(11) Go around the toilets and go down the passage on the right (signposted "marché du mardi" or Tuesday market). Join Route Raymond Degioanni.

(12) Take the road on the right, continue along Route de la Madrague and follow it to the large crossroads where it meets Route du Sel.

(14) Cross over and take the cycle and footpath on the right.

(14) At the large roundabout, continue a few metres to the left and cross opposite the bus stop (Chambre des Métiers). Walk a few metres to the left, then turn right to return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1 m - Car park on the edge of the D197
  2. 1 : km 0.08 - alt. 1 m - Route de Giens
  3. 2 : km 0.89 - alt. 0 m - Coastal path
  4. 3 : km 2.83 - alt. 11 m - Cap de l'Estérel, turn right
  5. 4 : km 3.2 - alt. 11 m - Turn left.
  6. 5 : km 3.63 - alt. 9 m - Leave the road and take the path on the left.
  7. 6 : km 4.35 - alt. 2 m - La Tour Fondue - La Tour Fondue
  8. 7 : km 6.77 - alt. 12 m - Sabran Hospital fence
  9. 8 : km 7.62 - alt. 21 m - Boulevard Herriot, on the left
  10. 9 : km 8.5 - alt. 48 m - Church
  11. 10 : km 8.51 - alt. 47 m - Stairs
  12. 11 : km 8.58 - alt. 42 m - Passage on the right
  13. 12 : km 8.71 - alt. 25 m - Route Raymond Degioanni, on the right
  14. 13 : km 9.37 - alt. 2 m - Route du Sel crossroads, on the right - Étang des Pesquiers - Étang des Pesquiers
  15. 14 : km 10.38 - alt. 1 m - Roundabout, left
  16. S/E : km 10.51 - alt. 1 m - Car park on the edge of the D197

Notes

Watch out for children.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 86 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
Barbier Sylvie
Barbier Sylvie

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 27, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A really lovely route

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User 19976265

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 21, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk with no particular difficulties apart from the swarms of mosquitoes, although the final stretch is a bit dull (tarmac road...)

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Ritchie.07
Ritchie.07
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 30, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very pleasant parish-specific to Brittany hike that is not to be missed for its landscapes and sea views. Very popular even in winter. Although the elevation gain is not significant, there are many ascents and descents over rocks, most of which have been cleared. No major difficulties, but walking sticks and hiking boots are recommended for the rocky sections. There are a few passages close to the water's edge, which should be taken into account depending on sea conditions.
Note: for the description, I used the GPX track on a smartphone app.

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Mumu06
Mumu06

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 03, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

The first part offers beautiful views but also has a few more technical sections. The second part is disappointing, as the coastal path to Port du Niel is still closed. This means that most of the route is along roads.
The very end along the cycle path leaves you with a positive memory of the walk.

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rvdu83
rvdu83

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 26, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike to do outside of the summer season. Beautiful little coves where you can stop for a moment.
The only downside is that Port Niel is still inaccessible via the route, which is a shame because the end of the hike takes you back to the starting point via the road.

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User 17345291

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 08, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

In September, this route is a real delight. It is not very busy and offers magnificent panoramic views. I recommend it during this season.

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bocricri71
bocricri71

Personally, I find the spotting at the beginning and end a little off, which is the only minor criticism.

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fouado
fouado

A beautiful walk, with breathtaking scenery! Plenty of opportunities for swimming. Very well signposted route

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bocricri71
bocricri71

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 08, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very nice course with a little difficult to find at the start and at the end of the course but really good with beautiful views. I recommend this route.

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fouado
fouado

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 14, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Magnificent ride. Very varied scenery. Magnificent views over Porquererolles, the Giens peninsula...lots of flowers in spring!
spring !

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KATYF
KATYF

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 14, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant walk on a very sunny and slightly windy day in February.
Be careful at point 8, the coastal path that goes to the port of Niel is under construction. We passed it but it's forbidden and probably a bit dangerous.

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cecilejamin
cecilejamin

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 05, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant walk out of season...

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overdrive38
overdrive38

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

We were staying by the beach a few 100 metres from point 1, so we started the walk directly on the beach, so there's no information to be given about access to the car park.
Overall, the route was easy to follow as the coastal path markings (yellow signs and markings) were clearly visible.
Loop with no major difficulties. You will need suitable footwear as the route is slightly steep and the viewpoints are on the edge of the cliffs.
Be careful, however, as part of the route becomes equipped with steps, footbridges and handrails. It descends along the cliff from memory towards point 4. We hiked on a day when there were a few waves, so the ground can be wet and slippery and you can get splashed. It adds a little spice. Definitely to be avoided when the sea is rough.
This is a pleasant trail with no difficulties, which gives you a good view of the peninsula. However, we enjoyed the wilder western tip of the island the most.

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randochateau
randochateau

We plan to do this hike later.

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Mela06
Mela06

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 05, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

We cut between points 8 and 10.
Magnificent ride!
No major difficulties

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