Pic du Castel Diaou via the Piste de la Colle Rousse

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A moderately difficult circular route with superb views of the Mediterranean, the Rocher de Roquebrune-sur-Argens and the Haut Var. A fairly easy climb and a slightly steep descent.

Details

n°39681585
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.35 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 25 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 351 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 342 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 560 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 247 m
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Description of the walk

Start on the D47 at the junction of the Piste de la Colle Rousse at the pass, above the Gorge du Blavet. Parking available for a few cars at the starting point, otherwise larger car park available 100 m further on.

(S/E) Take the Piste de la Colle Rousse, which heads north and then quickly winds around. You will arrive at the junction with the Piste de la Capelle.

(1) Keep left on the Colle Rousse track and you will reach the junction with the G111.

(2) Continue straight ahead on a gentle climb until you reach the junction with the G108.

(3) Turn right, heading east. The climb becomes steeper between the maritime pines and the rhyolite rocks typical of the Estérel. You will reach another crossroads (elevation 434).

(4) Turn right: the slope becomes a little steeper until you reach the junction at the cistern.

(5) To enjoy the view of the Haut Var, continue straight ahead to a pass located a good hundred metres further on. Admire the view of the northern slope (the Haut Var).

(6) Turn around and return to the crossroads at the cistern.

(5) Turn left onto a virtually flat track until you reach the junction for Pic du Castel Diaou.

(7) Turn left towards the north-east to reach Pic du Castel Diaou.

(8) Turn back a few metres and take the orange-marked trail on the left, which quickly joins the Piste de la Capelle.

(9) Turn left onto this track, which descends quite steeply over scree: watch your ankles. Along the way, there is a magnificent view of Bagnols-en-Forêt. Return to the initial fork.

(1) Turn left and return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 247 m - D47, start of the Colle Rousse trail
  2. 1 : km 0.57 - alt. 281 m - Crossroads of the circular loop
  3. 2 : km 2.23 - alt. 295 m - Junction with the Les Enferts trail (G111)
  4. 3 : km 3.14 - alt. 352 m - G108 junction
  5. 4 : km 3.92 - alt. 434 m - Crossroads
  6. 5 : km 4.65 - alt. 517 m - Cistern. Fork in the road, return point, viewpoint.
  7. 6 : km 4.83 - alt. 534 m - Pass. Viewpoint
  8. 7 : km 5.68 - alt. 528 m - Turn-off towards Castel Diaou
  9. 8 : km 5.99 - alt. 560 m - Pic du Castel Diaou (561 m)
  10. 9 : km 6.31 - alt. 521 m - Junction with the Capelle trail.
  11. S/E : km 8.35 - alt. 247 m - D47, start of the Colle Rousse trail

Notes

Parking available at the starting point, which is located at the pass.
Good footwear recommended for the descent between (9) and (1).

Worth a visit

Superb views of the Rocher de Roquebrune between (2) and (4).
Beautiful view of the Mediterranean between (4) and (5).
The whole of Haut Var at point (6).
Bagnols-en-Forêt and the Blavet Gorges at the end of the route, between (9) and (S/E).

Reviews and comments

4.3 / 5
Based on 7 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
3.6 / 5
coligneaux
coligneaux

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 17, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Hike without much interest: a long climb on a track and a long stony descent, not to be done in summer. No exceptional views. Hike completed in 1½ hours. Lack of parking spaces.

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brun ge
brun ge

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 07, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Beautiful hike, but we did it backwards, so it was difficult to climb the very rocky and steep trail to the chapel. Once at the top, there was a beautiful view, but no indication of the Pic de Diaou, so no view. You have to go back down a path that leads to a nice 360° viewpoint. We couldn't find the orientation table. We took a very difficult path back to the car park, but much lower down. So we walked 2 km on the D47 road. A shame. We might do it again in the right direction, but avoiding the descent from the chapel, which is far too steep, rocky and endless.

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gerard06440
gerard06440

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

Lovely walk with beautiful views.

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COGNIARD
COGNIARD

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 22, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

There are some lovely views on the way up, but the summit itself is rather uninteresting.
On the way back, there is a very pleasant little path through the fir trees at the start, followed by a fairly steep descent along a stony path where caution is advised.

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OlivierOudot
OlivierOudot

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 11, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

The climb is quite tedious in this direction, always in full sun and with the view behind you.
Perhaps it would be more interesting to do this hike in reverse, starting with the steep climb between 1 and 9, which is actually dangerous to descend.
Otherwise, we continued with a short tour of the Blavet Gorges and the Mueron cave, just next door. It only adds 3km, and it's pretty.
Thanks to the designer of this hike.

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pbizet
pbizet
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 23, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk with some beautiful views.
The climb is easy, and it took us 2 hours and 45 minutes in total.
You can avoid the detour via the peak, which unfortunately offers no views.
There are no more scree slopes on the descent, but there are loose stones that roll underfoot, as is often the case in our region.
In winter, no worries, but in summer, it's best to do it early in the morning or late in the evening to avoid the heat on the climb, which is very exposed, and to enjoy the views without the mist.

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/adjedj
/adjedj

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

A lovely walk that is perfectly doable with children.

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