Pic de l'Ours via Col Notre-Dame

Magnificent hike with views of Saint-Raphaël Bay, the Gulf of Saint-Tropez, Cannes Bay, the Lérins Islands, the Southern Alps and the entire Esterel. Exceptional 360° panorama.

Technical sheet

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 17.92 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 6h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 489 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 488 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 479 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 21 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park at the Col Belle Barbe car park, about 7km north of Agay.

(S/E) Cross the road and take the wide track opposite, which follows theGR®653A(white and red markings). Cross the ford on the Mal Infernet.

(1) About a hundred metres further on, turn right onto the Ravin des Lentisques, following the GR®. Ignore several turnings on the left and right and keep heading east-south-east until you reach a wide track.

(2) Turn left, walk about fifty metres, then veer right to follow a path parallel to the track, which it joins further up.

(3) Continue along this track to the right until you reach the Col des Lentisques.

(4) Leave the track and theGR® to take the road opposite leading to Col Notre-Dame to admire the Lérins Islands, the Southern Alps...

(5) At the pass, take the second path on the left, climbing towards Pic de l'Ours, and keep left about 50 metres further on. This section is quite steep and takes about 20 minutes to climb for experienced hikers. Join the access road to the peak.

(6) Cross the road and immediately take the path opposite to go around Pic de l'Ours. Directly below the peak, the path makes a hairpin bend, then heads north and winds its way up several switchbacks before reaching a crossroads at Dent de l'Ours.

(7) Turn left and descend the long path, ignoring the paths on the right. Arrive at the Grotte de l'Uzel.

(8) Continue straight on to the Col des Lentisques.

(4) Descend 200m to the left on the road, then leave it for the first path on the right (La Baisse des Sangliers) along the Ravin de l'Ubac. Reach an intersection near a ford on the Mal Infernet.

(9) Continue left along the Ravin du Mal Infernet.

(1) Continue straight ahead on the track. Cross the ford again and return to the car park at the start (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 45 m - Car park - Col de Belle Barbe
  2. 1 : km 1.17 - alt. 27 m - Ravin des Lentisques
  3. 2 : km 4.48 - alt. 167 m - Track, on the left
  4. 3 : km 5.09 - alt. 249 m - Continue along the track - Baisse des Sangliers (249m)
  5. 4 : km 5.49 - alt. 263 m - Col des Lentisques
  6. 5 : km 7.11 - alt. 324 m - Col Notre-Dame
  7. 6 : km 8.08 - alt. 465 m - Pic de L'Ours
  8. 7 : km 9.16 - alt. 386 m - Dent de l'Ours
  9. 8 : km 10.68 - alt. 302 m - Grotte de l'Uzel
  10. 9 : km 14.82 - alt. 54 m - Ravin du Mal Infernet - Agay (fleuve)
  11. S/E : km 17.92 - alt. 45 m - Col Belle Barbe car park

Practical information

Hike of approximately 6 to 7 hours, requiring good physical fitness. Avoid the hot months. Best undertaken between November and April.
Bring warm clothing. Strong winds are possible.

In the nearby area

Places to see: Col des Lentisques, Col Notre-Dame, Pic de l'Ours, Dent de l'Ours, Grottes de l'Uzel.

 Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 16 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.9 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
genevi83
genevi83

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Feb 13, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A beautiful and enjoyable hike, despite the elevation gain very windy at Pic de l'Ours where we had our lunch, then we descended to Dent de l'Ours, a magnificent and impressive rock formation, then walked along a very pretty path back to Col des Lentisques. After the route, we apparently took the wrong path, which meant we had to cut through the woods to the path we took in the morning near the ford
(as we didn't take the right route, we didn't see the waterfall or the fountain, but it was still a lovely walk with beautiful colours (orange stones and green mimosas) and great views of the sea and the surrounding mountains. We were in a hurry, but that didn't stop us from enjoying and appreciating the landscape. It took us 4½ hours to cover 20 km (yes, because at the start we made a mistake and went up the river; we hadn't understood the instructions lol)

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gegemft
gegemft

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Nov 10, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

A very beautiful route in magnificent surroundings. The climb is steady up to the Col Notre-Dame. The section from the Col des Lentisques to the Col Notre-Dame is on the road, which is not pleasant. Fortunately, the beauty of the landscape contrasts with the monotony of the route. The slope becomes steeper from the Col Notre-Dame to the Pic de l'Ours. From the summit, you can enjoy a 360° view with the Alps to the north and the sea to the south. The descent is gentle. On the way back from point 4 to point 9, you can see that the previous rains have caused a lot of damage to the trail. We noticed several landslides with a few small trees uprooted. A superb hike to discover the Esterel massif.

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/adjedj
/adjedj

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 29, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A beautiful hike in the Esterel mountains
Please note: very good physical condition required...

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Christophefaudot
Christophefaudot

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 08, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

A very beautiful hike with varied panoramic views. The climb up Pic de l'Ours is quite challenging, but well worth the effort once you reach the summit, where we stopped for a picnic. On the way down, I wasn't able to locate the Uzel cave. That will have to wait until next time

A hike to do again and one that I recommend
Thank you for this beautiful route.

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jbauchet
jbauchet

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Mar 04, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A very beautiful hike!

We followed the suggested route in every detail, except between points 4 and 5, where we preferred to leave the road and take the path on the side, which first descends to an altitude of 120 m before climbing back up to the Notre-Dame pass. The view from there, stretching from Trayas to the Pointe de l'Esquillon, makes the detour well worth it.

Some sections are very rocky. Good footwear is required.

However, there is one major downside: the amount of rubbish that is regularly found along the edge of the path (plastic bowls, used tissues, cigarette butts, masks, and even a large rubbish bag near the Pic de l'Ours). I think a collective clean-up operation is needed. It is unacceptable and distressing.

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Joëlle C1.
Joëlle C1.

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Dec 28, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A beautiful hike in this magnificent mountain range where sea and mountains meet, with superb views of the snow-capped Mercantour
Slight difficulty in finding the path that takes us to the Dent de l'Ours
You have to pass under the transmitter on the sea side
Otherwise, no problems

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lenel
lenel

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 08, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

A beautiful hike in the Esterel, with breathtaking panoramas and varied landscapes depending on which side of the mountain you are on. Wild, stony paths, best tackled with walking boots. We decided to make it a little more challenging by climbing the Pic d'Aurelle at point 3 and then taking the path on the right between points 3 and 4. This makes the route longer and adds to the elevation gain, but it offers magnificent views of the coast. You could also consider climbing to the top of the Dent de l'Ours...

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le dd
le dd

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 26, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A beautiful route through the Esterel Park. Best done in spring to enjoy the contrasts between the red rock, lush green nature, blue sky and multitude of flowers in the Var countryside.
Not very difficult apart from the 18 km, which can be covered without difficulty. The only physically demanding section is the final climb up Pic de l'Ours. Superb view of the Mercantour massif, still covered in snow at this time of year.
Thanks to the author of the circuit

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mano42
mano42

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Dec 23, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Nothing but joy on this trail. Beautiful weather with no wind. How enchanting to listen to the water trickling down the ravines of this mountain range, which is so dry in summer. The spring with the overflowing reservoir before reaching point 8 and the two fountains further down are magnificent. Picnic at the Pic de l'Ours antenna after a steep climb from the Col de Notre Dame, but what a reward: unobstructed views of the Southern Alps, the Bay of Cannes and, on the other side, Le Dramont and St Raphaël. The hike took 4 hours of walking and 6 hours with stops. To be enjoyed again and again!

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vpetitcolin
vpetitcolin

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 11, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Beautiful hike, but as indicated on the information sheet, quite difficult.
Very beautiful viewpoint and interesting passage to the chapel. Good footwear is essential as there are several passages through scree.

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amandjneh
amandjneh

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 30, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A beautiful hike that can be done without an IGN map (which is why I chose it).
Be careful, good footwear is necessary as the paths are particularly stony.

Another way to explore the Estérel is via Agay, which I have already covered extensively on the Mandelieu/Théoule side.

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maggi f
maggi f

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Dec 20, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

The passages through the valleys and the view from the summit of Pic de l'Ours are well worth the trip

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ELEDEUIL
ELEDEUIL

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 26, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Superb route! Magnificent views, varied and sometimes wild trails. Lots of diversity and maximum enjoyment, thanks in particular to very precise signage. Completed the route in 5½ hours under beautiful October sunshine.
A wonderful discovery, many thanks

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ELEDEUIL
ELEDEUIL

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 26, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Superb route! Magnificent views, varied and sometimes wild trails. Lots of diversity and maximum enjoyment, thanks in particular to very precise signage. Completed the route in 5½ hours under beautiful October sunshine.
A wonderful discovery, many thanks

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jardin tania
jardin tania

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 23, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A magnificent hike with stunning sea and mountain views. An exceptional 360° panorama.

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