The Pic de l'Ours

Date of walk : Apr 23, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A magnificent, varied hike with stunning views of the coastline in the first part, followed by a more challenging descent after Pic de l'Ours. Luckily, the streams were still flowing, which was refreshing.
A very rocky hike that requires slow progress.
There was a tricky section between points 1 and 2; we accidentally strayed from the path and had to climb a very steep scree slope to reach the road.
As a result, we had to get out the first aid kit to treat a few scratches
After point 2, I recommend taking the road that leads to the peak to enjoy the best views of the coastline. Not sure if we'll take the trail.
The passage in front of the Dent de l'Ours is unforgettable. Don't miss the decorated cave at the foot of this rock (not mentioned in the description).
Difficult passage to get out of the riverbed at point 6, but a sublime location.
Finally, we decided to return via the Baïsse des Sangliers from point 7 because it was getting late and we wanted to avoid being in the sun at the end of the day. This very stony and partially shaded path climbs steadily, which is a bit tedious but not too difficult.
In conclusion, a superb hike!

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Date of walk : Apr 06, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A magnificent hike with striking contrasts in terms of both landscape and vegetation, which is undergoing a complete transformation at this time of year!
The GPS track is reliable and sometimes necessary.
A note (advice): between points 5 and 7, but especially between 6 and 7, do not look for the GR trail markers, as they do not exist. Instead, rely on your GPS.
Thank you for this hiking suggestion 😎

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Date of walk : Nov 15, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Very beautiful hike. Numerous viewpoints. Best to do in the direction indicated.

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Date of walk : Nov 10, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A superb hike in November, with autumn and spring (or even winter) being the best times to avoid the intense summer heat.
A magnificent route along wild trails on the mountainside or alongside streams at the edge of ravines.
Be careful to follow the trail, especially on the very steep climb up to Pic de l'Ours. A GPS is essential!

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Date of walk : Mar 26, 2024
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A beautiful walk that allows you to discover various aspects of the Estérel, including its colours, rocks and peaks, hidden ravines and, of course, its particularly photogenic views of nature and the sea!
No problems following the route with GPS

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Date of walk : Apr 09, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

A beautiful hike with a picnic at Pic de l'Ours. No orientation problems with the GPX track. However, you must be careful not to miss the path that takes you through the Ravin de l'Écureuil after point 7. The path that descends after the Dent de l'Ours seems to be little used and therefore poorly marked in places. Not too crowded except at the summit (the western slope is very quiet). Like Evelyne06, we left from Trayas. The very small car park at the station was full, so we parked along the Corniche road, which allowed us to see two sows and a dozen piglets up close.

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Date of walk : Jan 07, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

This route is not very busy at this time of year (January 2024) except at Pic de l'Ours, which can also be reached by car.
Superb view from the top of Pic de l'Ours and Dent de l'Ours. You need to follow the GPS carefully because at times the route is not obvious and it is easy to get lost, so always have Visorando to hand! The return journey, mostly through forest, is uphill, so you need to save some energy for the end!
A beautiful hike that comes highly recommended...

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Date of walk : Mar 18, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

The route was very well described. We started from the car park at Trayas station to avoid going all the way to Saint Raphaël (we were coming from Nice), so we added an extra 4 km to the hike. Breathtaking scenery, sea and mountains, comfortable path. Still not too crowded, but then again, it is March.

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Date of walk : Feb 28, 2023
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Clarity of route map : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Without a car, we left from Trayas Station (10:20 train) to climb up to Col des Lentisques via a beautiful, sunny route with views of the sea, the snow-capped Mercantour mountains and Pic d'Aurelle. At Col des Lentisques, we headed towards Dent de l'Ours (start of the route at the barrier by the picnic table - Dent de l'Ours written by hand). We had already discovered Pic and Dent de l'Ours on a previous hike. Climbing towards Dent de l'Ours, we first came across the start of Ravin du Sentier de l'Ecureuil (marked with a green circle) on the left and, a few metres further on, still on the left, the start of Ravin de la Dent de l'Ours (although not marked, it is very clear). We decided to take this path down to Lac de l'Ecureuil. This descent, which was very rocky like the rest of the Massif, presented only one difficulty for me: about halfway down, in a bend, the path is eroded, no doubt due to rainwater runoff, and therefore quite steep, which is probably not a problem for most of you, but for me, even with very good hiking boots and walking sticks, this kind of passage scares the hell out of me. Fortunately, I have a good guide and my husband helped me get through it by standing below me and holding my rucksack! I should point out that it's only a very short section, as the rest of the descent is easy. As we approached Lac de l'Ecureuil, due to the rain that had fallen continuously for two days, the streams that are normally dry were carrying a small flow of water, which was very pleasant. At the end of Ravin de l'Ours, you come to a crossroads of two paths: take the right-hand path and climb the small wall that leads to Lac de l'Ecureuil, which is almost completely dry except for a small pool. The view is magnificent: it's a bit like the Wild West! You have to cross the dry lake to climb up the other bank, which leads to the GR.
We returned to the Col des Lentisques via the Ravin de l'Ubac de L'Escale and the Baisse des Sangliers, which is very easy and offers a beautiful view of the cliffs opposite. Along the way, a small white arrow indicates the start of the path leading to the Grotte d'Uzel, which can be seen in the distance. We did not visit it. At Col des Lentisques, we descended to Trayas station, where we took the 6:06 pm train. A very beautiful walk.

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Date of walk : Dec 13, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

superb walk
splendid day, not a cloud in the sky and sunny

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Date of walk : Jan 22, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

Lovely walk. Beautiful views.

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Date of walk : Jan 22, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

• Superb hike with exceptional views of the sea and mountains.
• No major difficulties – but almost no signposting – so using the app and GPS is essential. Good walking shoes are also a must.
• the route to point 6 is confusing – at the end of the "ravin de l'ours" (bear ravine): go over the low wall on the left, cross the two dry streams and then join the track on the left.
• given the time, we returned via the ravine on the north-facing slope of the escale.

very frequent on the climb to Pic de l'Ours - much less so on the descent through Ravin de l'Ours

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Date of walk : Jan 23, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A beautiful, sunny hike with contrasting colours: red rock, green trees, blue sea and cloudless sky. Superb view of the Pic.

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Date of walk : Jan 16, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Beautiful hike, easy, well marked.

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Date of walk : Jun 02, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

A beautiful walk with magnificent views from Pic de l'Ours stretching from the Îles du Levant to the Bay of Cannes. The return route via the Uzel caves and Lac de l'Écureuil requires a second climb, but offers a completely different landscape of rocks and undergrowth.

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