Coastal path from Camarat to L'Escalet

An easy walk along the coast between Camarat Lighthouse and L’Escalet on the Saint-Tropez peninsula.

Beautiful Mediterranean scenery amongst pine trees and turquoise waters. On arrival, a refreshing dip on the magnificent beach at L’Escalet will do you a world of good!

⚠️ 21/08/2026: Please read the practical information carefully before setting out on this walk.

Details

n°275410

Creation:
06 Jun 2016

Last update:
21 Aug 2026

Last review:
13 Feb 2025

Activity: Walking
Distance: 3.36 mi
Average duration: 1h 50
Difficulty: Easy
Back to start: No
Ascent: + 302 ft
Descent: - 656 ft
Highest point: 364 ft
Lowest point: 3 ft

Country: France
Area: Massif des Maures
City: Ramatuelle (83350)
Start: N 43.200989° / E 6.673834°
End: N 43.187504° / E 6.641862°
IGN map(s): Ref. 3545OT
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Photos

In the distance, you can see the Camarat lighthouse

Description of the walk

Parking is available just in front of Camarat Lighthouse.

(S) When facing the lighthouse, take the path marked in yellow on your left. After 10 metres, turn left to visit the viewpoint overlooking the famous Pampelonne beach.

(1) Retrace your steps and continue straight ahead along the yellow-marked path. Follow these markings throughout the walk.
The path descends through the woods towards Cap Camarat.

(2) After a few minutes, you’ll reach the coastal path above Cap Camarat and the Rocher des Portes opposite it. Continue to the right, still following the yellow markings.

The path winds its way above the sea through the pine trees. Pass Pointe Moussure, then cross the Baie des Roches Bleues before arriving near a luxury housing development overlooking the sea amidst the heath, known as Le Merlier.

Follow the markings carefully as they take you round the development, keeping as close to the water as possible. Shortly afterwards, you’ll reach the foot of a large flight of steps.

(3) Climb these steps, which lead onto a track. Take the track to the left for about 200 metres.

(4) Head down to the left along the path, which is still marked in yellow.
The water becomes increasingly clear; pass a small pebble beach and arrive at a sort of tiny fishing village, La Sèche de Gassin.

(5) Continue along the path amongst the rocks; it’s only a few minutes’ walk to L’Escalet. The car park is just behind the beach. (E)

Waypoints

S : mi 0 - alt. 358 ft - Camarat Lighthouse - Cap Camarat
1 : mi 0.08 - alt. 341 ft - Viewpoint over Pampelonne
2 : mi 0.41 - alt. 161 ft - Cap Camarat junction
3 : mi 1.88 - alt. 23 ft - Stairs just after Le Merlier
4 : mi 2.06 - alt. 105 ft - Leaving the path
5 : mi 2.61 - alt. 10 ft - Sèche de Gassin
E : mi 3.36 - alt. 30 ft - L'Escalet

Notes

Please note that the passage to Le Merlier can be dangerous in the event of heavy swells.

You can leave a second car at L’Escalet to avoid having to make a return journey. Free parking is available on the left as you approach from Ramatuelle.

Safety and site protection guidelines :

Before setting off, remember tobring plenty of water (there is no water along the route! 1 litre per person, plus sun cream and a cap in summer) and to wearsuitable walking shoes.

Access to this walk, as with many routes in the Var, is subject tothe prefectural order closing off the mountain ranges inthe Corniche des Maures area. Remember to check theaccessconditionsaround 7 pm for the following dayonthehttps://www.var.gouv.fr/Actions-de-l-Etat/Foret/Fermeture-des-massifs-en-ete/Carte-d-acces-aux-massifs

To protect the area and its biodiversity, several activities are prohibited:

picking or collecting flora and fauna, gathering dead wood or any natural materials,
walking off the designated paths,
smoking, lighting fires,
camping and bivouacking,
Cycling on the coastal path
as well as the use of drones.

Dogs must be kept on a lead all year round.

These rules are set out inthe prefectural order issued by the Prefect of the Var on 3 May 2023. Please respect them so that you can enjoy this protected natural area managed by the Conservatoire du littoral to the full.

Worth a visit

Swimming with mask and snorkel at Escalet (preferably at the second beach, accessible in 5 minutes by following the coastal path) and in other spots along the path if the sea is calm.

Option to extend to Cap Taillat (1 hour round trip).

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5

Based on 37 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5

Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5

Route interest
4.6 / 5

bernard coulomb

13 Feb 2025 at 21:59 3600

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 13, 2025
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

This coastal route offers superb views of spectacular granite formations lined with pine trees, so we added a short detour on the way back to the small beach of Bonne Terrasse, to the north. The whole trip takes 5 hours with plenty of stops to take photos. The mimosas are in full bloom throughout the region.
The route is easy to follow, as it is clearly marked in yellow.

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EmilieS

14 Aug 2023 at 09:35 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 14, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The first part is easy and the estimated time is accurate. I then continued on to GIGARO beach, passing by CAP TAILLÂT and CAP LARDIER. A beautiful coastal path, worth doing again and again. Incredible colours.

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jcmp3

20 May 2023 at 10:01 7200

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 14, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A very pleasant hike accessible to all, with beautiful views of the coast. Young children may find it difficult as there are constant ups and downs throughout the route.
If you have young children, it is best to leave one car at the start and one at the finish, as the walk takes around five hours there and back.

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Nanou13112

08 May 2023 at 00:05 7200

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : May 03, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

As this hike was classified as easy, we thought we would do a warm-up hike after the Cap Taillat-Cap Lardier loop the day before.
This was not the case at all. The hike consisted entirely of climbing up and down stairs, with almost no flat sections... There were no signs indicating the distance remaining to reach Escalet beach. After an hour and a half of "step aerobics", we came across some hikers who told us that the beach was still about an hour away... and yet we are seasoned hikers who are used to hiking in the Calanques. We weren't the only ones looking at the map and searching for this famous beach.
Once we arrived at the beach, we were disappointed because it was nothing special, but the scenery along the hike was stunning.
So it's worth doing, but don't think it's a walk in the park. Be aware that there are almost only steps and that it takes a good two and a half hours to get to Escalet. If you have to choose, go for the Cap Taillat and Cap Lardier loop, which has magnificent beaches all along the route.

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craco.35

24 Oct 2022 at 20:43 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 19, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Eight of us went on this beautiful hike. Thank you to the author. We extended it to the customs point.

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pauleetpierre

25 May 2022 at 21:37 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 22, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

very beautiful trail.

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OLIVIER65

17 Apr 2022 at 15:55 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 16, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Beautiful beaches, clear water and a lovely hike.

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fabienne.ponson

17 Feb 2022 at 10:24 3600

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 17, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

lots of rocks, poor visibility at times, lots of steps and a somewhat arduous return via the same path (the coastal path at Bormes is much more pleasant in comparison)

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guyarmengaud

30 Nov 2021 at 18:36 3600

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 27, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike done in reverse, starting from Escalet Beach.
Duration and distance slightly underestimated.
A passage between the rocks to reach a tiny beach below the Merlier housing estate can be a little tricky when the sea is rough. You have to take off your shoes and cross quickly to avoid getting wet.
We were able to make a loop by coming back down from the lighthouse, taking the road that leads to the hamlet of Merlier (actually called Résidence de Camarat, as the name Merlier does not appear on any signs) At the entrance to the residence, before the gate (which is closed), we took a path that descends and runs alongside the residence to rejoin the forest track we took on the way there for a few hundred metres.
A very beautiful walk, especially out of season

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CATHYIG

18 Oct 2021 at 11:16 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 17, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

The weather was superb and there were still lots of people on the beaches, but the path was very clear.
Definitely worth doing again.

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AUDI62

26 Sep 2021 at 15:48 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 20, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

We did the hike from Camarat lighthouse to Escalet beach and back.
The estimated time is underestimated as it took us 4½ hours to complete the round trip.
The hike offers magnificent views, particularly of Pampelonne beach, but it is not always very easy: there are high steps, stony sections and quite a significant elevation gain.
The trail is very varied, sometimes high up, sometimes at the water's edge. This makes for welcome breaks.
Be sure to wear good shoes, bring a walking stick and plenty of water.

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marchApied

13 Sep 2021 at 12:00 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 05, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The duration of the circuit is underestimated. For average walkers, the duration from Camarat lighthouse to Escalet beach
is more likely to take 2 hours 15 minutes than 1 hour 45 minutes, i.e. half an hour longer. In some places, the steps are very practical, but some are very high (which is a shame).

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Vagau73

16 Apr 2021 at 11:04 7200 • Edited: 16 Apr 2021 at 11:06 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 11, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful route along the coast, with some sections of the trail even equipped with facilities (stairs, "private areas"). Magnificent sea views. We did the round trip, stopping off at the rocks to admire the underwater flora and fauna.
A word of advice: in high season, don't try to drive down to L'Escalet, but park before Cap Taillat instead, otherwise you'll waste your time

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sgerard6

05 Oct 2020 at 09:48 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 21, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

This short hike was very pleasant. We did it in the opposite direction to the description.
It requires a bit of gymnastics to read, but nothing impossible!
The scenery is superb and the trail offers a variety of views, sometimes above the rocks, sometimes along the water's edge among reeds and driftwood.
The only downside is that even in mid-September, it's not easy to park at L'Escalet (unless you pay, of course...)

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jacko1

25 Jun 2020 at 15:54 7200

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 22, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful walk along a lovely steep path. Parish specific to Brittany recommended. At the end of June, the sun was shining, the sea was superb and we only met two other hikers on the way there. The walk offers some beautiful views. We pushed on to Cap Taillat, which was a little busier, but offers a beautiful view from the top. Allow an hour from Escalet beach to Cap Taillat. This does make the walk longer, but it's worth it. Be careful on the way back, however, as there is a greater elevation gain than on the way there and it can seem long, especially as the time indicated for the walk from the lighthouse to Escalet is underestimated.

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