Saint-Raphaël (Var) walks

From Saint-Raphaël station, head to the seafront and follow the coastal path to Dramont. The red rock coastline dotted with small coves and beautiful sandy and pebble beaches with turquoise waters is a feast for the eyes. Please note that this coastal path is not really a path. The route mainly follows the rocks with the help of steps.

Connecting the two ports of Saint-Raphaël via the eastern coastal path is said to be one of the most beautiful coastal routes on the French Riviera. While the charm of this walk is undeniable, it is important to note that it is challenging and not accessible to everyone. There is no real path, facilities are minimal, and the route often resembles a beautiful scramble among the rocks. But while it is possible to get your feet wet if you misjudge the time it takes to cross certain passages at the mercy of a playful wave, there is no risk of getting lost as the yellow markings are excellent. And what a joy it is to look out over the entire route and beyond from the top of Le Dramont. Please note that part of the Dramont bypass is currently impassable due to a landslide. Use the nearby forest paths to reach the tip of Camp Long.

Circular route via the Péguières ponds surrounded by mimosas and eucalyptus trees, the flank of Bonnet de Capelan, Col de l'Essuyadou, Carrefour de Roche Noire with views of Mont Vinaigre, Jausier, Col des Sacs and La Louve with its maritime pine forests and tree heath. Numerous viewpoints over the Gulf of Fréjus.

A long and beautiful hike that allows you to discover the Estérel National Forest via Mont Vinaigre. Offers beautiful views of the Mediterranean.

Multiple panoramic views of the Barban valley, the main peaks of the Esterel and the Gulf of Fréjus. Beautiful mountain-side paths. It is possible to extend the route by climbing towards the Grand Porfait from the Carrefour de Roche Noire, then descending back onto the GR®49 via the Pas d’Adam.

Gentle climb to Pas d'Adam, then walk along the mountainside to the Malpey Forest House. Then descend via the Malavalettes trail and the superb Cabre valley. Pass the Col de l'Essuyadou to reach the Lacs des Péguières lakes in their setting of mimosas (only in January and February) and eucalyptus trees. Beautiful views of the Gulf of Fréjus, Mont Vinaigre and the Estérel massif.

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.

A short hike with a variety of scenery (beaches, forests, panoramic views, rocky trails) that takes you around Cap du Dramont, crossing beaches and forests and following rocky trails along the coast. Beautiful landscapes and culture. Recommended in all seasons except the hot season, as it is very busy and very hot. The signposting could do with updating in places. You need to follow signs that are sometimes blue and sometimes yellow.

The start of the hike involves regularly leaving the path to follow the shoreline and these reddish rocks as closely as possible. With so many views of the coastline, there are plenty of places to stop. The route around the village of Cap Estérel takes you up a little, offering a panoramic view of Dramont and Île d’Or.The fact that the Provence landings took place here in 1944 is down to the presence of these quarries; this fascinating information is provided on information boards.

A very nice short walk that with beautiful views of the bay of Agay and the Esterel massif.

You walk along the ridge beside the Ruisseau du Perthus, then through the Ravin du Gratadis with its pretty little lake. From Col Aubert, you reach Col du Baladou and then Col du Perthus. You descend to Col du Mistral and reach the Sigallon bridge, passing beneath the Pic du Perthus Occidental and the Barre de Roussivau. Finally, we follow the Vallon de la Cabre. The vegetation is abundant: cork oaks, downy oaks and a few eucalyptus trees. Lavender, rosemary and heather offer a whirlwind of pleasant scents.

A pleasant walk with superb views of the bays of Agay and Saint-Raphaël, the Estérel Massif and the Île d'Or.

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.

This is a half-day hike, ideal for a first exploration of the Estérel.

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).

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

Mountain bike route on wide tracks with no technical difficulties and superb views throughout the route.

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.

Ascent to the Rastel d'Agay, a superb viewpoint over the Mediterranean and the entire Estérel massif.

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.

Circular with superb views of many of the Estérel peaks, in particular Mont Vinaigre, Pic du Cap Roux and Perthus Occidental. Walk among maritime pines and eucalyptus trees.

Magnificent hike with views of Saint-Raphaël Bay, the Gulf of Saint-Tropez, Cannes Bay, the Lérins Islands, the Southern Alps and the entire Esterel. Exceptional 360° panorama.

Seeing the Estérel differently is the aim of this hike. This is the Estérel from the inside, the one with the ravines.

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.

This hike takes you to two hidden lakes in the Esterel Massif. It involves no real difficulties or significant elevation gain. The chosen paths avoid the main trails used by mountain bikers wherever possible. The route is designed for a walk of up to 4 hours (excluding breaks). If you wish to extend the walk, it is easy to find other routes, such as returning via the Col de Suvières and the Baisse de la Grosse Vache.

A lovely family walk to discover waterfalls and small streams in winter and spring, amid the rocks and red earth of the Estérel. Avoid in summer.

Very beautiful hike close to Agay which enables you to discover the Estérel away from the usual routes.

Beautiful hike in the Esterel Massif where you can discover Sainte Baume and its chapel and the beautiful viewpoint on Cap Roux peak, and then reach Ours Peak going via Aurelle Peak.

Above Agay close to the beaches, the fabulous Massif de l'Esterel is the ideal terrain for a comfortable hike, but is always different.

A beautiful way to discover the Massif de l'Estérel via often very steep trails.

A circular route passing through four passes, two optional peaks, magnificent views of the coast, and a ravine straight out of a Western.

On the Lac de l'Écureuil side, there is a beautiful hike in the Estérel, with magnificent rocks and pretty streams: it's a feast for the eyes.

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.

A very beautiful hike amid the red rocks of the Esterel. The 360° view from Rastel d'Agay offers the Alps on one side and the Mediterranean Sea on the other.

This is a lovely hike that is a must in spring to enjoy all the varieties of Mediterranean plants in bloom. The trail is easy and suitable for children as it does not climb too steeply.

In a range as attractive as the Esterel, it is difficult to choose which hike to take. The one that takes you around the southernmost peaks of the range is one of the most spectacular, while remaining within the reach of any hiker. And while the climb to the summit may put off the more cautious, the rest of the route offers a complete panorama via paths that require no great effort, just wide-open eyes.

A lovely walk in the Esterel Massif, well signposted and without any significant difficulty. Discover the reddish rocks typical of this massif. Enjoy the magnificent panoramic views of the Mediterranean Sea. Make sure you wear good walking shoes. Best done in fine weather to make the most of the magnificent scenery.

This circular will take you to three must-see peaks in the Estérel: Pic d'Aurelle, Pic de l'Ours and Pic du Cap Roux, combining the blue of the sea, the green of the vegetation and the red of the rock.

Beautiful balcony-style paths through heather, maritime pines and cork oaks. Panoramic views of the sea, the Gulf of Napoule, Cannes and the Lérins Islands, the Alps, Mont Vinaigre, Les Suvières, the Pics de l’Ours and Cap Roux, and the entire Estérel Massif, as well as the Gulf of Fréjus.

A walk through the Estérel, with beautiful views to boot! Pass by the Pic de l'Ours, with views of the Dent de l'Ours and a walk at its foot!

This is a magnificent hike through the red rocks of Estérel, looking over the blue of the Mediterranean with extraordinary viewing points.

A circular walk with lovely views of the Pointe de Maubois and the Pointe du Cap Roux. Two passes are crossed without difficulty, but there are some tricky sections for walkers prone to vertigo. The paths are stony and good walking boots are recommended.

A very pretty hike in the Massif de l'Estérel.

Calanque d'Aurelle, with its red rocks and turquoise water, is the starting point for our walk. The walk is a series of paths winding through the Mediterranean scrubland among pine trees, mimosas, rosemary and cork oaks. On the return leg, we take the Lentiques ravine. This is theGR® 653A, part of the Way of St James.

Hike near the sea in the Estérel massif. Best done on a beautiful winter or autumn day.

This hike in the Massif de l'Estérel will take you to the top of the Pic de l'Ours, one of the most remarkable peaks in the area with its enormous antenna at the summit. With paths along the edge of the cliff between the blue sky and sea, the ochre rocks of the Estérel and the green pine and oak trees, you will be treated to a beautiful cocktail of colours. At the summit, you will enjoy a splendid panorama from the Mercantour to the Gulf of Saint-Tropez.

A beautiful 18km circular route in the western part of the Estérel Massif. Three peaks are on the itinerary: the Pic de l’Aurelle, the Pic des Grosses Grues and the Pic des Petites Grues, each offering panoramic views. You’ll also pass through the Mal Infernet ravine, flanked by cliffs. To round off the walk, there are also lovely views of the Estérel from within.

As the Crête des Grues route from Théoule is blocked by the closure of part of the Vallon de l'Autel trail, I suggest an alternative starting from Trayas station. You reach the Crête des Grues ridge via sometimes steep paths passing through the Col Notre-Dame, revealing beautiful views and very diverse trails, characteristic of the Estérel Massif. The return journey is via a long track, then along the same path taken on the way there.

A varied itinerary for this long hike in the Estérel massif, with its mix of colours and diverse landscapes: Col des Lentisques, Lac de l’Écureuil, Baisse de la Grosse Vache, Baisse Violette, Col des Trois Termes, Col de la Cadière, Col Notre-Dame, etc. Between Baisse Violette and Col des Termes at La Clavette, the paths are rarely used.

This hike allows you to easily reach two of the most beautiful spots in the Esterel, the Pic d'Aurelle and the Pic du Cap Roux, with incredible views of the sea.