Petit Nice, Dune du Pilat

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Walk along the ocean to return via the Dune du Pilat with beautiful views of the Banc d'Arguin Nature Reserve and Cap Ferret.

Details

n°213657
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 13.80 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 20 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 124 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 124 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 88 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: -2 m
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Petit Nice, Dune du Pilat
Petit Nice, Dune du Pilat
Petit Nice, Dune du Pilat
Petit Nice, Dune du Pilat

Description of the walk

(S/E) From the car park at Petit Nice, from the beach access opposite the lifeguard station, head to the beach. Head north-east and walk for 2.5 km along the beach.

(1) Continue north-east for another 2.5 km.

(2) Pass the rocks and climb the stairs on your right. Once at the top, take the road on the left (north-east). At the first two crossroads, continue straight ahead.

(3) At the roundabout, turn right onto the cycle path that runs alongside Avenue de Biscarrosse. Follow the cycle path past the waste disposal site and turn south. Continue to the roundabout at the Dune du Pilat car park.

(4) Turn right, cross the car park towards the dune entrance, passing the shops and restaurants.

(5) Climb the dune, keeping to the left.

(6) At the top, turn left. Walk along the top of the dune heading south-west. At the end, descend towards a track.

(7) Turn right and descend towards the beach.

(1) Turn left and walk along the beach to return to the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 13 m - Petit Nice car park
  2. 1 : km 2.55 - alt. 2 m - Robinson Beach
  3. 2 : km 5.39 - alt. 17 m - Avenue Louis Gaume
  4. 3 : km 6.16 - alt. 12 m - Roundabout, turn right onto the cycle path
  5. 4 : km 7.56 - alt. 37 m - Pilat Dune roundabout
  6. 5 : km 8.24 - alt. 81 m - Base of the Dune du Pilat
  7. 6 : km 8.44 - alt. 85 m - Dune du Pilat
  8. 7 : km 10.95 - alt. 54 m - At the base of the dune, take the track on the right
  9. S/E : km 13.8 - alt. 13 m - Petit Nice car park

Notes

Walking in the sand. Check the tide times and coefficients, as the hike is not possible at high tide or when the tide is strong...

Worth a visit

Banc d'Arguin Nature Reserve. Dune du Pilat. Swimming depending on the season.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 43 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
Nawacks
Nawacks

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 : No

A lovely walk from Petit Nice, a good warm-up before climbing (no steps at this time of year). It was a shame for us that the sky was overcast on the day, but at least it wasn't crowded and I was able to walk with my dog.

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LoïcG33
LoïcG33

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 01, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Excellent walk.
Be sure to check the tide times before walking on the beach...
There's no need to go through Pyla; take the shortest route to get back to the Dune.
The return trip along the ridges is magnificent.

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Nad30
Nad30

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 23, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

walking on sand is different and a bit of a workout. View of the Dune du Pyla and panoramic view of the magnificent dune

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Mikl_60
Mikl_60

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 24, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

I have to admit I shortened the route a little, we didn't go through the village, we climbed the stairs at the end of the beach and walked up the street near a 5-star hotel and then we turned right through a passageway towards the dune.
It was magnificent, but the walk back through the sand really wore us out, but what a pleasure it was!

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jean pierre 49
jean pierre 49

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 03, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Not very busy, which is to be expected on 28 November when the weather was magnificent,
The sand adds a little difficulty, but it's superb, the best!

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Chauvelinus
Chauvelinus

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

I set off from the Dune du Pilat car park, which cost €7 but meant I was alone at the top of the stairs at 8am, which was really nice. It took me a little over 3 hours, with a few variations (mind you, I'm a mountain man). For those who aren't used to walking, it can get tiring very quickly as the route is in the sand.
The route is obvious, you don't need a GPX track. You can see the paragliders flying at the end of the dune (south).
I think the town section is interesting: you can see some nice houses with some nice plots of land.
Given the time I left on an overcast Sunday, there were very few people.

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jaja12
jaja12

Great walk. Nice weather and not too hot.

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abruti
abruti

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 30, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

To avoid the crowds on the car park side, we climbed up the south side: just as beautiful, and very unusual; we walked for a long time on the ridge, enjoying the panorama. It was also great to take advantage of the long stretch of beach, noting that in the event of a high tide, it's not possible to do so at high tide.
On the other hand, it's heart-wrenching to see the results of the fires in La Teste de Buch... It makes you realise (if you haven't already) the effects of global warming.
Watch out for the sun: it heats up and burns as it rises! Hat and sun cream essential!

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Etienne caumont
Etienne caumont
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 11, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A pleasant walk along the dune and the ocean shore in glorious weather. It's a shame that the panorama of the dune on the forest side was a bit spoiled by the fires!
The town section is of little interest
Make sure the tide is out before setting off

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M1O9M5O3
M1O9M5O3

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 01, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Our grandson had a wonderful time on this parish-specific to Brittany walk and was proud to have walked the entire length of the dune. Magnificent weather and a clear view of the bench. Super day

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Dominiquemeillerais
Dominiquemeillerais

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 04, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A fine, physical walk

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Chloeyor
Chloeyor

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 27, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Interesting but tiring walk. Very long walk on the beach, which made the walk physical. We opted to return by road. It's a shame you can't walk through the forest.

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TISSOTY
TISSOTY

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 03, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Lovely, unusual walk, done all the time on sand, with exceptional views over the Arcachon Basin.

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pbouriane
pbouriane

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 15, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very nice walk. Best done in the sun, but not in summer. The dune section (pilas) (3-4km) is challenging!
Much of it is done in the sand, but on the hard sand at low tide.

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clubderandonnées
clubderandonnées

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 30, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

very pleasant walk with a beautiful view of the Dune du Pilat

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