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This hike begins first and foremost "with your eyes". As the boat arrives in the harbour of Port-Cros, the vegetation and the colour of the water promise a beautiful day.
(S/E) Once you disembark on the quay, turn right, walk past the shops and take the only path along the sea.
Directional signage
(1) After a short distance, climb the few steps to the statue of Saint Joseph and turn right towards Pointe du Cognet. Enjoy the views of the village of Port-Cros. At the first beach you come to, leave the path for a moment and continue along the sand. Resume the path at the end of the beach.
(2) At this crossroads, continue straight ahead towards Pointe de la Malalongue
(3) Behind the ageing contemporary building is an information panel about the birds found in the area. On the south side, the orange rocks, shaped by erosion, form magnificent shapes. Return to the crossroads.
(2) Turn right and then right again shortly afterwards. Continue along this pleasant tree-lined path. During your walk, stop to admire the restored old building at Pointe Sud (there is a stone engraved with "Pointe Sud").
(4) Continue straight ahead towards "Pointe de Cognet-0h15".
(5) At this windy spot, enjoy the views of the different layers of grey strata below Pointe de Cognet.
Turn around to return to the crossroads.
(4) Turn right towards the Route des Crêtes. The trail runs along steep cliffs. Observe the birds in their natural habitat.
(6) At this crossroads, continue straight ahead towards Mont Vinaigre. At the next crossroads, turn right and continue for a few metres.
(7) Turn right towards Mont Vinaigre. The trail immediately winds between rocky outcrops to reach the summit (altitude 194 m, the highest point on the island).
(8) There is a beautiful view to the north and east. Turn around and return to the trail junction.
(7) At the trail junction, turn right and continue along the cliffs. Enjoy the views offered by the information panels and those not offered. Ignore the trail junctions. Continue to the Vallon de la Solitude trail junction.
(9) Continue straight ahead towards Fortin de la Vigie. When you reach the carriage road, turn right for a few metres to enjoy another view of Îlot de la Gabinière below. Turn back and continue along the carriage road.
(10) At this crossroads of carriageways, continue straight ahead. The small climb precedes the Fortin de la Vigie, built during the Napoleonic era. After viewing the building from the outside, turn right just before the fort. Follow the sign for "Plage du Fort-Man". Continue along the path downhill towards the place known as La Sardinière (restored ruins).
(11) Turn right and follow the road uphill to a fork.
(12) Leave the road, turn left towards Port-Man Beach and follow the path to the Port-Man Beach crossroads.
(13) Go down to the beach, passing a ruin on your left. Enjoy the location for a well-deserved picnic and swim. There is a welcoming shaded area on the right along the beach. The particularly clear waters allow you to see beautiful sea bream, among other things. After this well-deserved break, walk back up a few metres and turn right immediately after the ruins. The path through the woods runs alongside small coves. Continue along the path towards La Palud Beach.
(14) Be careful on the stone steps. Access to Plage de la Palud is via a staircase with disproportionately sized steps that require caution. Walk along this pleasant beach. The path resumes at the end of the beach with a few steps, heading towards the "Village". At the next crossroads, keep left. At each intersection, continue straight on towards the "Village" to reach the crossroads at the cemetery.
(15) Turn right. At the fort, turn left onto the stone road leading down to the village below and arrive at the embarkation quay (S/E).
Visorando member
Easy 
