Coastal path between Saint-Raphaël and Le Dramont

de fr

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.

Details

n°2070462
Creation:
Last update:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.06 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: No
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 14 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 9 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 16 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 0 m
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Photos

Les Roches Rouges
Dramont semaphore
The Ile d'Or
The Ile d'Or

Description of the walk

If you are travelling by car, park for free in Dramont and take the TER train to Saint-Raphaël / Valescure (departures approximately every 2 hours).

(S) When you leave the station on the forecourt side, cross the street and head to Place Pierre Coullet, located behind the row of buildings opposite the station. Keep to the right of this square to reach Boulevard Félix Marin below. Walk down this street towards the sea, passing in front of the basilica.
Join the promenade overlooking the beach.

(1) Follow it on the left. Continue through a park to return to the road at the water sports centre.

(2) Continue to the right towards the port. Enter the port and follow the quays, then the restaurants and finally a second port.

Yellow markings

(3) At the end of this second harbour, at a large gate, climb the stairs on the left which mark the start of the coastal path.
Important note: This trail, which is not really a trail (as it is more often on rocks or steps than on a real path), winds along the coast and passes through many small coves and beaches that are more or less frequented.
Follow the path, which stays on the sea side and passes by numerous private properties. After more than a kilometre of very uneven terrain, the coast becomes gentler as you approach the large Plage de la Péguière.

(4) Continue in the same direction, following the low wall on the other side of the beach. Pass a few more beaches, including Arène Grosse and Boulouris, before arriving at Pierre Blave beach after passing through some black volcanic rocks.

(5) Here, the coastal path ends (sign indicating a detour). Go up to the left to rejoin the Corniche road. Follow the road to the right. Pass the Hôtel des Roches Rouges (which encroaches on the public maritime domain and therefore prevents access to the coast) and arrive at the car park opposite the Dramont SNCF train station.

(6) Go down to the right to reach Débarquement beach, then go up a little further on the left to return to the car park opposite the Dramont SNCF train station (E).

Waypoints

  1. S : km 0 - alt. 9 m - Saint-Raphaël / Valescure SNCF train station - Gare SNCF de Saint-Raphaël / Valescure
  2. 1 : km 0.33 - alt. 4 m - Promenade de Lattre de Tassigny
  3. 2 : km 1.22 - alt. 2 m - Water sports centre
  4. 3 : km 2.53 - alt. 3 m - Start of the coastal path
  5. 4 : km 4.4 - alt. 0 m - Péguière Beach
  6. 5 : km 7.9 - alt. 2 m - Pierre Blave Beach
  7. 6 : km 8.75 - alt. 15 m - Car park entrance
  8. E : km 9.06 - alt. 14 m - Dramont car park

Notes

Please note that this hike is not flat, contrary to what the technical information sheet may suggest.
The route often involves walking on rocks with numerous ascents and descents, with or without steps.
Allow around 4 hours to complete the 9 km.

For the return journey, TER trains run between Dramont and Saint-Raphaël.
If travelling by car, park for free in Dramont and take the train first (at 7.28 a.m., 8.28 a.m. or 9.28 a.m.).

Avoid the summer (due to the heat and crowds on the beaches).
Bring good walking shoes and at least 1.5 litres of water per person.

Reviews and comments

4.4 / 5
Based on 29 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.4 / 5
Route interest
4.3 / 5
Lilienice06
Lilienice06

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 12, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very nice hike. Lots of ups and downs on rocks. Not recommended with young children. Several nice coves on the way to the beautiful Dramont beach. We had two vehicles. First, meet at the Dramont car park, then park the other vehicle near the centre of St Raphaël, close to the starting point of the hike. Once you've finished the hike and arrived at Dramont, you'll need to return to the other vehicle. Allow at least five hours to take your time and enjoy yourself. Bring 1.5 litres of water per person

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JM Patoureaux
JM Patoureaux

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 19, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

I didn't follow the advice to leave the car at the end point, Dramont, and return by train to start the hike at the St-Raphael SNCF station. I was able to park on the side of the road a little before the Arène Grosse beach, halfway there (about 15 spaces).
This may not be possible in summer, in which case you will have to park wherever you can find a space... or at worst in Dramont.

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Denis Navarro 13
Denis Navarro 13

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 30, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

I did this route at the end of October on a sunny day. There weren't many people around, but it would obviously be different in summer. I wouldn't recommend this route in summer because it can get pretty crowded, which makes it more difficult as some parts are narrow and a bit tricky on the rocks.
That said, the scenery is magnificent throughout the route.

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Monique21
Monique21

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 29, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Very busy route : No

You need to be very athletic and tall, as there is a lot of climbing. It's very beautiful, but it's best to watch where you put your feet

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jcpicton
jcpicton
• Edited:

Superb hike on 11 May.
Magnificent landscapes and cool sea air.
Thefirst 2 kilometres from the St Raphaël trail are the most challenging but accessible to all hikers.
But no pushchairs.
We'll do it again.

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fabre.jp
fabre.jp

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 15, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Not many people at this time of year (22 March)
Very physically demanding trail.
Magnificent thanks to the contrasting colours of red, blue sea and green porphyry.

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dayson
dayson

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 12, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Not recommended for people who are used to walking in the city. The path is a bit uneven in the first part of the walk

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S-Kayp
S-Kayp

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 13, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

This coastal path in Saint-Raphaël is a beautiful route but very physically demanding. I've done it several times and it's always a pleasure to do it again from time to time.
At Pierre Blave beach, you no longer have to go back up to the road to reach the landing beach. In fact, the sign indicating this has been gone since 2020.
After the Hôtel des Roches Rouges, a section of the path along the wall was missing (only a few metres). Apparently, there used to be a footbridge that was broken. Rumour has it that the hotel broke it because they don't want people to pass through as it means they have to go through the hotel's swimming pool... It was impossible to hold on to the wall as there were no handholds. You had to go down into the water and get part of your body wet, or turn back and go back up to the road. Coastal law stipulates that the first few metres of the coastline are public, so the hotel cannot prohibit access. It could have created a passageway so that people did not have to go through the swimming pool. In 2020, the path was repaired by the local council and the missing section was rebuilt. However, part of this passage is narrow and, when the sea is rough, it gets wet and slippery. When wet, the narrow section poses a risk of slipping into the sea. So be careful. A bar should be fixed to the wall to make the passage safer when the ground is slippery. Once there, you are almost at the landing beach. Otherwise, you have to turn back 500 metres to get back onto the road.

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Celtic 1503
Celtic 1503

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 06, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Departure from Santa Lucia port by bus. Get off at Pierre Blave (€1.50 per person for the ticket) and return via the footpath, which involves walking through very cold water in places and is very well signposted. Less attractive than the coastal path in St Tropez but pleasant nonetheless. Probably very busy in summer

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Geo Rock
Geo Rock

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 21, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

we had difficulty following the trail today because there were some breaks in it, forcing us to return to the road and pick up the trail further on. Otherwise, it's magnificent!

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natel
natel

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 20, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

We did a very beautiful hike in two parts, from Pescade Beach to Cap Dramont, and from the same beach to Santa Lucia (we were staying opposite this beach). It wasn't that easy due to the lack of signposting in some places and the difficult terrain on the rocks. You need to wear good shoes (we saw people in sandals!). The only downside is the hotel that encroaches on the coastline (outrageous!), blocking the path and forcing you to go back to the road to get to the beach.

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RAPERIEN
RAPERIEN

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 16, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very distinctive route along the coast. Extremely difficult to follow for anyone with poor eyesight. The second part is very poorly marked and maintained. However, the description is fairly accurate

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Danielb
Danielb
• Edited:

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 31, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hello
Either I don't walk very fast or the time indicated was too short... In any case, I was only able to do half the circuit
Otherwise, it's a nice app with a fairly accurate route.
Have a nice day.

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Vanessa69
Vanessa69

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 23, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very original hike along the Mediterranean coast.
We did the round trip: it was magnificent with the red rocks reflecting the Esterel mountains.
In terms of difficulty, the GPS indicated a 200-metre elevation gain and there are some large steps to climb at times.
It is possible to rejoin the road at various points.

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Claire75
Claire75

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 19, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant route that I extended with the Dramont tour.
Quite uncrowded except for the hundred metres or so around the easily accessible areas (walkers, families with children, photographers).
Very few people on the rocky sections.
Having done it in both directions, I can confirm that the route suggested here is definitely preferable.

For those who have time, don't miss the educational trail on the history of the quarry workers, which starts from the car park at the landing beach.

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