Walk through the Royal Forest in Saint-Paul-en-Forêt

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A very pleasant walk through the heart of the Royal Forest, with its downy oaks, cork oaks and hornbeams. Several species of birds can be observed, including woodcocks and kingfishers. During the hike, you will enjoy magnificent views of Lake Méaulx. The inhabitants of Saint-Paul, steeped in a strong forestry culture, have always known how to draw resources from this forest: timber for building houses and ships, acorns for feeding pigs, wood for heating and fuelling lime kilns and craft kilns, particularly for firing tiles and glassware. From the16th century onwards, the Royal Navy consumed large quantities of timber for its ships. Today, the Royal Forest is no longer exploited, but with its downy oaks, cork oaks and hornbeams, it is a very pleasant place to walk.

Details

n°88378107
Creation:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.03 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 139 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 137 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 319 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 189 m
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Description of the walk

Access: from the village of Saint-Paul-en-Forêt. Follow the D55, Route de Draguignan, and continue for approximately 3 km. After the stone bridge, turn left onto the dirt track "DFCI 535" to park. GPS coordinates of the starting point: 43.570419, 6.661891 (D55, 3 km from Saint-Paul-en-Forêt).

PR® trail markers

(S/E) From the car park, continue along the "Forêt Royale" G521 track, passing through the barrier and continuing until you reach a crossroads with three tracks. At the crossroads, leave the Piste du Lac de Méaulx on your right and continue straight ahead to cross the Radier de l'Endre.

(1) At the SPF cistern, leave the Piste de Souliès on your left and continue on the wide track on your right (arrow pointing towards the viewpoint). At the crossroads, ignore the Ubac d'Agay track on your left and continue straight ahead to reach the junction with the Piste de Fontcounille.

(2) Continue straight ahead along the track, through the Vallon de Fontcounille, until you come to the first house.

(3) Turn right onto the wide track that runs alongside the Hubac de Castel-Diaou valley until you reach a junction with a cistern.

(4) Take the track on the right and cross a pass. Leave the forest house on your right to reach a viewpoint. Enjoy the bird's-eye view of Lake Méaulx.

(5) Continue along the track to descend into the Fontcounille valley and return to the junction you took on the way out.

(2) At the Fontcounille crossroads, turn left and follow the same route as on the way there in the opposite direction to return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 207 m - Car park
  2. 1 : km 0.65 - alt. 190 m - Endre (cours d'eau) - Affluent de l'Argens
  3. 2 : km 1.13 - alt. 203 m - Crossroads of the circular loop
  4. 3 : km 2.61 - alt. 250 m - Housing
  5. 4 : km 3.77 - alt. 295 m - Ubac de Castel Diaou cistern
  6. 5 : km 5.38 - alt. 298 m - Viewpoint
  7. S/E : km 8.03 - alt. 207 m - Car park

Notes

Opening period: all year round, subject to favourable weather conditions.

Contact:

Telephone: 04 94 76 01 02

Email: contact@paysdefayence.com

Website: www.paysdefayence.com

Terrain type:

Gravel
Earth

Visitor alert:

During the summer, check the opening times of the mountains before setting off on a hike.
This route is located in the Estérel Massif.
Consult the map, which is updated daily by the prefecture: www.risque-prevention-incendie.fr/var/

Worth a visit

This mountain range is all the more attractive because it is crossed by the Endre: this river rises in Tourrettes and flows into the Argens near Le Muy.

Tips and suggestions:

- An environment entirely covered in pine and oak trees.
- An idyllic and rejuvenating setting.
- Ideal for walking and hiking.

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

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Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 1 review
Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
5 / 5
Route interest
4 / 5
Averel
Averel

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 02, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely, easy and enjoyable hike. Best done in spring, but be careful to avoid rainy weather as tree felling work is carried out and the track is quite muddy due to the machinery used for cutting down trees.

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