Walk through the Blavet Gorges in Bagnols-en-Forêt

Carved into red volcanic rock, the gorges offer beautiful geological features such as the Grotte de Muéron, one of the major climbing sites in the Var, and at the heart of this hike. At the foot of one of these many cliffs, you will find the prehistoric Muéron cave, which was occupied 10,000 years BC. From its very wide entrance, it extends deep into the rock and still provides shelter from storms today. Its proximity to the Blavet river and forests (a source of fuel), its southern exposure and its commanding view of the valley made it possible to follow wild herds and made it particularly attractive for camps during the Bronze Age.

Details

88379943
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Last update:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.28 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 20 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 184 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 177 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 263 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 93 m

Description of the walk

Access: from Bagnols-en-Forêt, take the D47 (Route du Muy) towards La Motte / Draguignan. Park at the Gorges du Blavet car park. GPS coordinates of the starting point: 43.528869, 6.654967

(S/E) From the Gorges du Blavet car park, go through the barrier and take the path straight ahead towards the orientation table. At the first three-way junction (wooden post with "Retour Parking" sign), take the path on the left downhill. Follow the Blavet, ford it and continue uphill to a three-way junction.

(1) At the fork, take the steep, stony path downhill to the right, following the orange markings. Descend to reach a second ford. Cross the Blavet again and continue uphill on the path to the right, which runs along the rock face to the prehistoric cave of Muéron.

(2) At the cave, continue down the steep, stony path through the undergrowth. There is a short, challenging 150-metre stretch along the Blavet river amid rocky scree.

(3) At the first crossroads, ignore the climb to the right and the orange cross markings and continue straight ahead, then turn left until you reach the junction of four wide tracks. Take the very wide track on the left and cross the bridge over the Blavet (there are magnificent potholes on either side).

(4) After the bridge, continue along the track for a few metres until you reach the intersection with the sign for "Le Réservoir". At the crossroads, take the Piste du Réservoir on the left and follow it uphill until you reach the reservoir.

(5) At the reservoir, take the path uphill on the right until you reach a wide track.

(6) Continue along the wide track (Piste de Bayonne) on the left, which leads back to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 207 m - Gorges du Blavet car park - Blavet (rivière) - Affluent de l'Argens
  2. 1 : km 1.22 - alt. 176 m - Fork
  3. 2 : km 1.55 - alt. 161 m - Mueron Cave - Grotte du Muéron (Bagnols-en-Forêt)
  4. 3 : km 1.81 - alt. 123 m - Crossroads
  5. 4 : km 2.4 - alt. 94 m - Bridge over the Blavet
  6. 5 : km 4.26 - alt. 206 m - Reservoir
  7. 6 : km 4.73 - alt. 247 m - Wide track
  8. S/E : km 6.28 - alt. 207 m - Gorges du Blavet car park

Notes

Avoid this route in rainy weather. Please note: there are two fords to cross!

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

Type of terrain:

Rock
Pebbles
Earth
Gravel

Visitor alert:

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

Worth a visit

Tips and suggestions:

- Muéron Cave, a historic site and climbing spot
- Remains of18th-century millstones
- Panorama from the orientation table
- Presence of cork oaks, chestnut trees, wild orchids and Helichrysum

Reviews and comments

4 / 5
Based on 1 review

Reliability of the description
4 / 5
Ease of following the route
3 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
LMDu
LMDu

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 29, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

I chose to do the route in the opposite direction and didn’t regret it: you end up at the gorges (a must-see) by walking upstream (which is easier). The edges of the tracks have been cleared of undergrowth, revealing beautiful rock formations and a profusion of St Bruno lilies. Worth noting, near the bridge, is a viewpoint a little further down, offering a view of the waterfall and the site of an old water-powered sawmill.

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