Pic du Perthus Occidental

de fr

A walk to the top of this peak offers incredible views of the Estérel, the Alps and the Mediterranean.

Details

n°1797235
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.25 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 55 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 281 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 290 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 285 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 62 m
Downloads
Open in the mobile app
Download GPX GPX
Download PDF PDF

Photos

view of the Cap Roux peak
Pic du Cap Roux
Western Perthus
View of the Estérel from the start of the climb to the Pic du Perthus

Description of the walk

Park in the car park at the Roussivau Forest House.

(S/E) Take the tarmac road eastwards, alongside the Roussivau Forest House. Approach the Ruisseau du Perthus before reaching a picnic area.

(1) Begin a gentle climb towards the Perthus bridge by taking the path on the left.
At the first fork, keep to the right and at the next one, keep to the left to follow the Ravin du Perthus.

After passing above the bridge, turn left to begin the ascent. At the top, take a left-hand bend and reach the junction with the track leading to the peak.

(2) Take the track on the left to reach the Pic du Perthus Occidental, which offers a remarkable view.

(3) Return via the same route to the previous junction.

(2) Continue straight ahead on the track, passing close to two cisterns. Shortly after the second one, you’ll reach the Baisse Andoulette junction.

(4) Leave the track to the left for 50m, then take the path that descends to the left. Further down, after a right-hand hairpin bend, you’ll reach a fork in the paths.

(5) Turn right and you will soon come to a track: this is the Castelli track. Turn left onto it. Cross the stream via a bridge and return to the Roussivau Forest House (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 89 m - Roussivau Forest House
  2. 1 : km 1.77 - alt. 62 m - Leave the road and take the path on the left - Perthus (cours d'eau) - Affluent du Vallon de la Cabre
  3. 2 : km 3.26 - alt. 281 m - Track junction, on the left
  4. 3 : km 3.8 - alt. 238 m - Pic du Perthus Occidental (274m)
  5. 4 : km 5.24 - alt. 253 m - Baisse Andoulette (254 m)
  6. 5 : km 6.63 - alt. 132 m - Take the path on the right
  7. S/E : km 7.25 - alt. 88 m - Roussivau Forest House

Notes

Given the fairly rocky terrain, as is the case on almost any route in the Estérel, a good pair of walking shoes is obviously essential.

Make sure you bring plenty of water!

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 28 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
User 28845599

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 05, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk, ending on a beautiful plateau with stunning views. At this time of year, it’s a fascinating opportunity to discover the Mediterranean flora.

Machine-translated

JYL06
JYL06

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 23, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant walk with a few sections through woodland. There are a few stony sections, so sturdy footwear is essential. Superb views of the Var coast from the summit of the Pic du Perthus Occidental. We encountered no particular difficulties along the route.

Machine-translated

JMB06
JMB06

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 21, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Winter outing enjoying good sunshine in the direction described

Machine-translated

Bja
Bja

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 31, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very good views of the coast and the hinterland of the Var. It's a good spot for your picnic. You should mention to "forget" the yellow markings which do not correspond to this route but to common parts. Beware of the heat in summer (little shade)

Machine-translated

Palagnaque
Palagnaque

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 22, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

We managed to complete the hike, and the view from the top was beautiful! However, the route details were too brief. We ended up walking an extra 2 kilometres. That was a shame, but otherwise it was an easy hike with very few people around, which didn't help with navigation. We were happy nonetheless!

Machine-translated

clint21
clint21

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Towards the end, before reaching the track that leads to the forest house, a little more signposting would be helpful, as it is easy to keep going straight ahead and then have to turn back to the path on the right that leads to the starting track and the forest house. However, it's no big deal, and with a map or GPS, you won't get lost!

Machine-translated

beretzl
beretzl

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 : No

A very beautiful hike with magnificent views.

Machine-translated

alineb13
alineb13

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

Hike without any particular issues.
Please note that the road leading to the forest house car park, which marks the start of the hike, was closed. This may be a fire road that is closed in summer.
You have to park opposite the campsite, which adds 1-1.5 km of minor road to the hike.
We did the route in reverse so that we could cool off in the river at the end of the hike (we had seen this in a comment), but in the middle of August, the river was almost dry!

Machine-translated

Popeye83 66
Popeye83 66

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 27, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hello, this hike is really nice.
It can be done with older children.
The view is magnificent.
Don't forget to bring water, as the climb to the peak is a bit thirsty 😉

Machine-translated

Philippe Parazols
Philippe Parazols

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 10, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We took a very pleasant walk 'backwards', which seemed like the best option. To access the forest road, turn as if you were heading to the campsite (the directions are unclear, except perhaps for those with a GPS). The car park is at the end of the road in question. One of the advantages of doing the loop 'backwards' is that you end up at the river, where you can enjoy a lovely swim in the summer. Finally, for those who choose the same option, on the way back from the summit plateau, the path downhill is marked by a large cairn on the right. It is still the yellow route.

Machine-translated

Philippe Las
Philippe Las

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 29, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike with breathtaking views from the summit. Very few hikers at this time of year. After a section on asphalt, there is a beautiful climb on a little-used path.

Machine-translated

Jeremie0611
Jeremie0611

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 01, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very good hike, great view.
Did it with my 8-year-old daughter.

Machine-translated

Hubdu07
Hubdu07

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 26, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike with a stunning view from the summit.
We did a variation by doing the circuit in the opposite direction to the one suggested, which is marked in yellow.
Advantages of this variation: you can climb in the shade in the morning by following the markings and avoid the paved road.
To do this, after passing the forest house, in the first bend on the left, leave the road and take the path that climbs uphill with the yellow markings.
At the next intersection, turn left and continue to follow the yellow markings to rejoin the suggested route in the opposite direction a little further up.
On the descent after the peak, before rejoining and returning via the road, take the path on the right that climbs slightly and leads back to the starting intersection.
Similar distance covered. Total time: 2 hours 35 minutes including stops.

Machine-translated

GordonB
GordonB

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 30, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike, with no major difficulties for seniors.
The view from the summit is exceptional.
In summer, do the circuit in reverse to avoid the sun.
I recommend it.

Machine-translated

Fluryjc
Fluryjc

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 24, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Completed by two senior hikers with walking sticks, knee pads and GPS tracking on their smartphones, which proved very useful as there were few signposts along the way.
A very beautiful hike with very wild scenery.
No technical difficulties
Thank you for posting this beautiful route on the website

Machine-translated

Other walks in the area

Walking Around the Barre de Roussiveau

Visorando Member
Autour de la Barre de Roussiveau
↔10.61 km ↗+235 m ↘-235 m ◔3h 40 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Saint-Raphaël (Var) (Var)
This is a half-day hike, ideal for a first exploration of the Estérel.

Walking Roussiveau Plateau (Western Perthus Peak)

Visorando Member
Plateau de Roussiveau (Pic du Perthus Occidental)
↔6.35 km ↗+257 m ↘-256 m ◔2h 35 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Saint-Raphaël (Var) (Var)
A lovely walk in the Esterel, best done in spring to enjoy the flowers, whilst avoiding the summer.A few easy climbing sections on the final ascent. Beautiful views of the massif, sometimes stretching as far as the sea.Warning! The route may seem difficult to some (requires a good sense of direction and some easy climbing).

Walking Grand Tour of Western Perthus

Visorando Member
Grand tour du Perthus Occidental
↔15.85 km ↗+659 m ↘-659 m ◔6h 25 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Saint-Raphaël (Var) (Var)
The red of the rock, the green of the vegetation and the blue of the sky and sea in all seasons. Beautiful panoramic views of the Estérel massif, the sea and the Alps in the distance.

Walking Tour of the Barre de Roussivau and the Pic du Perthus Occidental

Visorando Member
Tour de la Barre de Roussivau et du Pic du Perthus Occidental
↔8.37 km ↗+319 m ↘-327 m ◔3h 20 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Saint-Raphaël (Var) (Var)
A lovely walk through the Roussivau cork oak forest, followed by a steep climb up the flank of the Pic du Perthus Occidental to the Baisse Andoulette and Baisse des Charretiers plateaus. Beautiful panoramic views of the iconic peaks of the Estérel and the Gulf of Fréjus. Descent through a steep-sided valley.

Walking The Malavettes

Visorando Member
Les Malavettes
↔11.43 km ↗+326 m ↘-324 m ◔4h 10 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Saint-Raphaël (Var) (Var)
This circuit lets you discover magnificent panoramic views over the Mediterranean (the Gulf of Saint- Tropez up to the Dramont semaphore) and Mediterranean forests, as well as the remains of the Malavettes forester's house, now abandoned.

Walking Pic du Perthus Oriental, the Gourin, Infernet and Gratadis ravines

Visorando Member
Pic du Perthus Oriental, ravins du Gourin, de l'Infernet et du Gratadis
↔14.20 km ↗+511 m ↘-501 m ◔5h 30 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Saint-Raphaël (Var) (Var)
A route taking in small lakes and pleasant streams with a few interesting vantage points. At times, the path winds through the depths of wild ravines dominated by huge, jagged rocks. Be careful, however: the ford at the bottom of the Perthus ravine can be difficult or even impossible to cross when there is too much water in the stream bed.

Walking Perthus and Ravin de Mal Infernet circular loop

Visorando Member
Boucle du Perthus et du Ravin de Mal Infernet
↔12.41 km ↗+328 m ↘-287 m ◔4h 30 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Saint-Raphaël (Var) (Var)
The route follows the Perthus trails through cork oak, eucalyptus, arbutus, myrtle and juniper trees and, in spring, beautiful asphodels. The return journey is via the Ravin du Mal Infernet, lined with spectacular columns of red rock. Two small lakes mark the route.

Walking Between the Belle Barbe and Suvières passes

Visorando Member
Entre les cols de Belle Barbe et Suvières
↔14.45 km ↗+334 m ↘-300 m ◔5h 05 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Saint-Raphaël (Var) (Var)
A very beautiful hike via the Aubert, Baladou, Perthus and Suvières passes, crossing the Estérel Massif from south to north and returning via the Vallon du Cabre de Gourin, the spectacular Ravin du Perthus and the Gratadis. Fine specimens of cork oak. Many magnificent asphodels on the Gratadis in spring.

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.