Le Rayol - Le Canadel, sea and ridges

This is a short loop offering beautiful views of the Mediterranean coast on varied and sometimes challenging terrain.
The trail starts among beautiful villas with sea views, then follows a balcony path above the coastline to a lovely beach, and returns via an old railway line.
This walk is best suited to sure-footed walkers who are not afraid of tackling the climbs right from the start.

Details

407613
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.84 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 331 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 332 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 249 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park either at the Tourist Office car park (if there is space) or at the Pateck (circular colonnade) by taking the road (Rue Mistral) that goes up to the left just before the office.

(S/E) At Pateck, take Rue d'Aix-les-Bains, which goes up to the right of the chapel.

(1) At the crossroads, take the second street on the left and then immediately right onto Allée du Col. The serious part begins right away. The path, sometimes broken up by wild boars, climbs quite steeply through the villas.

(2) The path, which is not very visible, continues straight ahead at this point, along the edge of the ravine: a nice climb. At the top, turn right and head for the Col de l'Étoile (crossroads of roads and tracks).

(3) Take the track opposite at the bend. After about 250 m, turn left and continue along the hairpin bends until you reach a crossroads of tracks.

(4) Take the second track on the right, which descends south towards the nearby road. Cross the road, continue for about 100 metres to the right (south-east) and then take the track.

(5) Just before the gate, turn left, heading east, onto the small stony path that goes around the property.

(6) At the crossroads overlooking the sea, take the path on the left which heads north-east, running along the coastline.
you can also make a short round trip (60 m) by taking the path on the right that leads to the oratory dedicated to Notre-Dame de la Mer.
You will reach a fork in the path.

(7) You now have two options:
- take the path on the left, which quickly turns into a track,
- stay on the rough path on the right that continues overlooking the sea (option shown on the map). Both paths meet further on, just before descending to Bonporteau Beach. Cross the ford and turn right towards the beach for a nice break.

(8) Turn around, without going back through the ford, and continue straight ahead into the shady Fenouillet valley (a complete change of scenery). Follow the stream upstream under the cover of vegetation, crossing it either by fording or using a footbridge. You will come to a crossroads.
Note that the first footbridge on the right has been closed since 2022, so you will have to wade across the stream.

(9) Take thesecond footbridge on the right, in the middle of a forest of reed fences, towards a car park higher up. Reach the tarmac road that has replaced the railway line. Follow it to the left, on this road that passes under the mountain through a tunnel and then turns into a track. It offers glimpses of the blue sea and runs alongside the famous Rayol botanical garden before returning to civilisation.
The track ends at a road in a bend.

(10) Go up the road on the right for 20 m, then take the steps that will bring you back to the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 87 m - Parking is available at Le Pateck or at the Tourist Office
  2. 1 : km 0.19 - alt. 110 m - Crossroads
  3. 2 : km 0.59 - alt. 164 m - Path opposite
  4. 3 : km 1.03 - alt. 227 m - Col de l'Etoile (227m)
  5. 4 : km 2.75 - alt. 124 m - Crossroads
  6. 5 : km 3.2 - alt. 106 m - Gate. Path on the left
  7. 6 : km 3.61 - alt. 111 m - Trail junction
  8. 7 : km 4.08 - alt. 109 m - Fourche
  9. 8 : km 5.08 - alt. 1 m - Picnic area
  10. 9 : km 5.98 - alt. 33 m - Footbridge on the right. Sign
  11. 10 : km 9.57 - alt. 38 m - Road, on the right
  12. S/E : km 9.84 - alt. 87 m - Parking is available at Le Pateck or at the Tourist Office

Notes

Bring your swimsuit if you want to take a dip at Bonporteau Beach. There are toilets available. Unfortunately, the tables and benches have recently been removed.

Worth a visit

Personally, I try to arrive at Bonporteau Beach at midday. Please note: avoid the months of June to September if you want to enjoy a peaceful picnic here.

Be careful: the old railway track is used by cyclists. If you are hiking in a group, stay alert and designate someone to bring up the rear and warn the group if cyclists are approaching from behind. They don't usually go very fast, but some sections are narrow.

A brief history of Rayol Canadel

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 47 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.4 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.4 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
POISSONDAVRIL
POISSONDAVRIL

All gathered at Rayol, we set off at 10 a.m. along the road through the hills or small mountains. There are fifteen of us, men and women, young and not so young. It's my first outing of the year. We climb this paved road, passing sumptuous villas until we find the dirt track that leads to the summit and offers us a view of Rayon Canadel Bay, as well as the rocky escarpments revealed by forest clearing. Then we begin our descent back down. We find a nice spot to enjoy a well-deserved snack. It is 12 noon. Thirty minutes later, we resume our descent, still passing sumptuous villas, and finally reach our vehicles at 2:45 p.m. (Hike duration: 4 hours 15 minutes, distance covered: 11 km) and set off on the return journey. We say our customary and friendly goodbyes and go our separate ways.

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Iennanorenat
Iennanorenat

Poorly explained hike
Too often you're under trees with no view
I would not recommend it

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POISSONDAVRIL
POISSONDAVRIL

All gathered at Rayol, we set off at 10 a.m. along the road through the hills or small mountains. There are fifteen of us, men and women, young and not so young. It's my first outing of the year. We climb this paved road, passing sumptuous villas until we find the dirt track that leads to the summit and offers us a view of Rayon Canadel Bay, as well as the rocky escarpments revealed by forest clearing. Then we begin our descent back down. We find a nice spot to enjoy a well-deserved snack. It is 12 noon. Thirty minutes later, we resume our descent, still passing sumptuous villas, and finally reach our vehicles at 2:45 p.m. (Hike duration: 4 hours 15 minutes, distance covered: 11 km) and set off on the return journey. We say our customary and friendly goodbyes and go our separate ways.

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ATAN
ATAN

Overall rating : 1.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 22, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : No

Route very poorly described
We changed routes.

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POISSONDAVRIL
POISSONDAVRIL

I don't have any opinions at this time because it's been a long time since I went on this hike or these hikes.
Kind regards
Georges GONTIER

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User 27288647

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 03, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A slightly complicated start, but a circular route that is definitely worth the detour!

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User 20870038

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 30, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The start of the hike is really awful: not because the path climbs, but because this narrow path passes between the backs of gardens, and it seems that some owners have not bothered to remove some construction waste, and there were mosquitoes...
After this part, which I really didn't like, the hike becomes interesting and the short break at Bonporteau beach is very welcome.
The return trip ends with stairs decorated with large terracotta vases. It's a bit hard on the legs

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patcool
patcool

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 26, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

After a smooth start, which is worth maintaining, you arrive at the ridge with beautiful views...
The descent to the beach is a bit technical and not recommended for children.
Otherwise, much of the route is shaded, which is pleasant. There is some tarmac, but it's a beautiful walk.
We stopped for a swim, which was very nice.

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POISSONDAVRIL
POISSONDAVRIL

RAYOLCANADEL HIKE

Contrary to forecasts, we went hiking at the rayol canadel. 10 km 800 according to my walking software, we were 12 hikers determined to walk well. We started by climbing on a tarmac road before finally finding a wide, flat track after a 1-hour walk. Once we reached the ridge, we discovered once again the superb scenery of the region. As usual, I photographed the landscapes on offer. The surrounding hills and mountains, including the snow at the end of the walk on the crest of the Alps de Haute Provence. At 12:30 we had a snack on this ridge, sheltered from the wind and in the sun. Half an hour later we were back on the road on a superb track again for about 1 hour, followed by the decadence of the hike, the tarmac, which I don't like walking on. We descend the said concrete road with a glance at the sumptuous villas. That's when you realise there's a lot of money involved. We walk for a while along the old railway line that used to run along the coast from La Croix Valmer to Bormes les Mimosas. At least I think so. Then we arrive at a set of stairs that should take us to our means of transport, which happens at 2.50pm. We return to our starting point at the Mac Donal in Gassin, where we have a drink courtesy of our club. We say goodbye to everyone and head home. See you next week, weather permitting.

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User 17640731

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 21, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very pleasant trail, quite steep at times, especially the first 2 kilometres. Various panoramic views. Be careful, some sections require concentration.

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La fleur
La fleur

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 02, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Quite disappointed, not enough views of the coastline even though the area is beautiful
Probably more interesting in summer for the shade, but not much to see in itself
We do not recommend it

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Cathybt
Cathybt
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 30, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very pleasant hike with a nice climb at the beginning, but it's definitely worth doing again and again.

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POISSONDAVRIL
POISSONDAVRIL

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 26, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

No comment, easy route with no surprises

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RAUCH ANDRÉ
RAUCH ANDRÉ

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 01, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

PERFECT, THANK YOU

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Aladeli
Aladeli

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 13, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

We didn't see any benches or tables at Bonporteau beach for picnics.

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