A post-lunch stroll in Saint-Mandrier

As the title suggests, this unpretentious little walk offers a pleasant stroll even if you’re short on time. It also aims to introduce an additional route along pretty paths, which can serve as an alternative to the ‘https://www.visorando.com/randonnee-a-la’ pine forest hike ...

Details

2842721
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 3.10 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 10 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 88 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 88 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 106 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 15 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Head to Saint-Mandrier, towards Pin-Rolland - Marégau. After passing the Pizzas Louis food truck (which is permanently stationed in front of the very old Pin Rolland villa), continue almost to the top of Avenue Marie Fliche Bergis. About 150 m before the roundabout at the end of the avenue, turn left into the Petit Pin Rolland housing estate and park in the car park on the right at the edge of a small square, 100 m past the entrance to the estate.

(S/E) Climb the earth embankment to enter the forest of pine and holm oak trees and take the path on the left which runs alongside the housing estate, which you will keep on your left.

I noticed that my route does not exactly match the topography on OpenStreetMap but does correspond to that of IGN. In any case, you can’t go wrong: you must keep climbing all the time, following the housing estate, which is itself bordered by a stream that is usually dry.

(1) After turning left, the path bends to the right, briefly turning away from the housing estate, before skirting it in a wide circular loop to the left. Continue climbing, still on a path that is by turns earthy and rocky, beneath the pines and holm oaks, amidst arbutus, rosemary and myrtle.

Walk alongside a wire-fenced enclosure at the top left for a while before emerging, after a steep rocky climb, onto an open area offering a panoramic view of the Sablettes isthmus, with the Sablettes cove, Cap Sicié and the Deux-Frères to the left, and Tamaris and Lazaret Bay to the right.

Leave the track that branches off from this point heading north, and continue along the path that climbs gently towards the Tourist Route, which lies about 150 m above us.

(2) Reach this road via an opening in the wooden railing that runs alongside it, at a bend. To the left, the road descends towards the port of Saint-Mandrier. Turn right and, after about 150 m, take a path that climbs to the left. You reach the top of a hillock where the ruins of a battery stand. Walk along the side of this hillock to the right, enjoying a superb view of the port of Saint-Mandrier.

Head back down towards the road via a track that runs alongside a very large water reservoir. Return to the road and, a little further on, turn left onto a small path (marked with red and white signs) that runs alongside the cemetery wall and joins a parallel street. Please note, this path is overgrown with bushes and obstructed by the fence posts of the garden it borders.

Follow the cemetery wall on the right until you reach the entrance. On the cemetery esplanade, near the memorial stones, there are two benches in a good spot, sheltered from the wind, for a picnic if you wish.

Head south again and, to the left of the three rubbish bins, take a path that joins Route de la Renardière (named after the fort at its end) just before the entrance to the fitness trail. Walk about thirty metres and join the trail.

(3) At the fitness trail information sign, take the section that branches off to the left and runs below the Route de la Renardière.

About 100 m from the fort as the crow flies, at the crossroads, follow the path furthest to the right (main route), then descend steadily through a series of hairpin bends.

(4) At the end of these hairpin bends, take the path on the right, following a stream for about 200 m before passing close to a wooden footbridge, which you leave on your left. Continue along the right bank of the stream until you reach the road.

Turn right onto the road and follow it to the entrance to the Petit Pin Rolland housing estate. Turn right again to reach the car park where you started (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 18 m - Car park at the Pin Rolland housing estate
  2. 1 : km 0.2 - alt. 32 m - Turn right
  3. 2 : km 1.14 - alt. 99 m - Scenic ridge route
  4. 3 : km 1.77 - alt. 84 m - Entrance to the fitness trail
  5. 4 : km 2.5 - alt. 38 m - At the bottom of the hairpin bends, on the right
  6. S/E : km 3.1 - alt. 18 m - Car park at the Pin Rolland housing estate

Notes

This walk is straightforward and we completed it in trainers.
Do bring a pair of walking sticks if the ground has been soaked by recent rain.

Worth a visit

Points of interest include:
- The climb through the coolness of a forest of Aleppo pines and holm oaks, with rich vegetation including arbutus, rosemary and cork oak.
- The beautiful views over Les Sablettes, Lazaret Bay, the port of Saint-Mandrier and the harbour of Toulon.
- The fairly well-preserved military remains, notably the Lazaret batteries.
- The bright, sunny descent along the Pin Rolland fitness trail.

Reviews and comments

4.3 / 5
Based on 6 reviews

Reliability of the description
4 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.3 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
pb77
pb77

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 28, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful hike. I recommend it.

Machine-translated

stjo
stjo

@B Martin, I’m really surprised because I don’t see where the difficulty lies at the start, as you stay on the edge of the housing estates right up to the pass, where you’re treated to a view of Lazaret Bay. Even though the path can get a bit lost at times, it’s hard not to find your way: just keep heading uphill.

Machine-translated

B martin
B martin

Overall rating : 2.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 06, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hello
As for this route, the start is tricky because either the paths have disappeared, or I couldn’t find them despite looking carefully. So that affects the whole lower section of the walk before the cemetery. Otherwise, we follow a fitness trail which is actually quite pleasant

Machine-translated

ProfDeMaths
ProfDeMaths

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 25, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk, with much of the route through the forest and various views of the sea (north, south and west).

Machine-translated

kikidistrict3
kikidistrict3

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 18, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

An interesting walk with a beautiful view of Saint Mandrier. There is also a historical aspect, with the old battery emplacements. The flora and fauna are interesting.

Machine-translated

arthur2007
arthur2007

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 14, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

a nice little walk, well worth doing

Machine-translated

glaciers
glaciers

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 17, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant family walk.
Beautiful and varied views.
A easy route in a wonderful setting.
Thanks to the author for sharing...

Machine-translated

Other walks in the area

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.