The Peaks of Cap Roux, Aurelle and Ours via Sainte-Baume Chapel

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.

Technical sheet

226903
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 19.58 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 8h 25 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 974 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 967 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 477 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 23 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Leave from the car park at the Belle Barbe Pass (S/E) where you can park without any problems. Take the path to the east where you will see a gate. Continue on until you reach the ford.

(1) Take the path on the right. Go along the Lentisques Ravine and then, after the oak tree on the side of the path, cross over the small rivulet to take the small path which is barely visible in the undergrowth.

(2) Follow the path up to the tarmacked road.

(3) Follow the road for 200 metres and begin the climb to Sainte-Baume.

(4) From Sainte-Baume, go back down the steps and at the first intersection on the path (5), turn right in the direction of the Cap Roux Peak on the path on the right.

(6) From Cap Roux Peak, go back down the steps and turn right at the crossroads (5). Continue on until you reach the crossroads of tarmacked roads at the Évêque Pass.

(7) Continue on the tarmacked road which climbs towards Ours Peak and follow it for about 350 metres, then take the small path on the right which go alongside this road, overlooking it.
Re-join the tarmacked road, turn right, take a few steps and then take the path on the right (8) in the direction of Aurelle Peak.

(9) From this peak, return down the steps and then branch off to the right at the first crossroads of paths (8) to reach the crossroads with the tarmacked road again. Take the small part of the tarmacked road which continues as a path for a few hundred metres and then take the path on the right climbing up. At the cistern, head to the left and follow the path up to the tarmacked road. Cross over it and continue climbing up on the path which meets another road. Cross the road and follow the path which then reaches Ours Peak.

(10) From the peak, take the path which goes around the bottom of it and follow it to go back downhill. At the next crossroads of paths, turn left.
Continue going downhill until you reach a wide path to the Ravin du Mal Infernet. Be careful, when going downhill, that you don't take the first path on the right. Keep well to the left and then, before the Uzel Cave, take the right.

(11) On arriving at the ford, take the left and go along the river up to a small bridge.

(12) Cross over the bridge and climb up on this path. Follow this path to the right up to the Aubert Pass and then continue to the left. After about 400 m take the path on the right which climbs up, where you will return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 45 m - Car park - Col de Belle Barbe
  2. 1 : km 1.16 - alt. 28 m - Foré - Agay (fleuve)
  3. 2 : km 3.3 - alt. 85 m - Ravin des Lentisques
  4. 3 : km 4.06 - alt. 168 m - Tarmac road junction
  5. 4 : km 4.77 - alt. 285 m - Sainte Baume
  6. 5 : km 5.78 - alt. 284 m - Carrefour
  7. 6 : km 6.61 - alt. 450 m - Pic du Cap Roux (453m)
  8. 7 : km 8.17 - alt. 160 m - Col de l'Evêque (159m)
  9. 8 : km 9.18 - alt. 249 m - Baisse des Sangliers (249m)
  10. 9 : km 9.73 - alt. 268 m - Carrefour
  11. 10 : km 10.04 - alt. 313 m - Pic d'Aurelle (323m)
  12. 11 : km 10.78 - alt. 263 m - Col des Lentisques
  13. 12 : km 12.31 - alt. 469 m - Pic de L'Ours
  14. 13 : km 13.39 - alt. 384 m - Dent de l'Ours
  15. 14 : km 16.74 - alt. 55 m - Foré
  16. 15 : km 17.73 - alt. 38 m - Gateway
  17. 16 : km 18.32 - alt. 113 m - Col Aubert (100m)
  18. S/E : km 19.57 - alt. 45 m - Col de Belle Barbe car park

Practical information

Water point at the bottom of Sainte-Baume. Some paths are very stony. Good shoes are required.

In the nearby area

At the Cap Roux Peak orientation table, it's possible to see all the way to Corsica if the weather is clear.
Lovely picnic spot on Aurelle Peak where there is a large flat rock with a beautiful view.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 15 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.4 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.9 / 5
Nico2606
Nico2606

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of walk : Mar 29, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

The tour at the base is very good.
The surroundings are ideal for exploring the Estelle region, with some magnificent views.

The only downside is that I had to change my itinerary several times because it was impossible to find my way back along the route as advertised.

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ccgl.bonnet
ccgl.bonnet

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Feb 06, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Nice sporty walk

Thank you

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ccgl.bonnet
ccgl.bonnet

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Feb 06, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Nice sporty walk
Thank you

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Cristo73
Cristo73

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 23, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A great idea for a route that takes in a whole part of the Esterel massif. With some great classics (Baume, Cap Roux, Ours) and a superb balcony overlooking La Corniche. It's a route for hardy, seasoned hikers (almost 20 km, 6 h / 9 h with breaks). So, while we're at it, I'd recommend taking the Saint Pilon and Cap Roux passes to reach the Pic du Cap Roux (this is the route signposted from the Sainte Baume fountain). In this way, you can avoid the proposed round trip (points 5-6-5) and enjoy the many panoramic views even more, without having to walk too far (400m). The area around the Pic du Cap Roux, given its appeal (panoramic views, monumental gateway, grotto-chapel) and ease of access, is, along with the Mal Infernet ravine, the only place that is very popular. There's nothing extraordinary about the Pic de l'Ours (highest point of the hike, 488 m). It was a very good idea to cut across the Col Aubert and under the Pic du Baladou. I really appreciated wearing good shoes, long trousers and sleeves, and a 3-litre water bag. Thank you Rémi83 for this tour.

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barberirobert
barberirobert

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of walk : Jan 05, 2021
Reliability of the description : N/A
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

Some paths are very busy, others much less so (we did this walk during the week). Good footwear is essential, as the trail is very stony (like stones that roll under your feet). You need an IGN map or, better still, an app (which is what I did) to follow the suggested route.

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Perche
Perche

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 13, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Very nice hike, magnificent scenery, I recommend going over the Col de l'évêque because. Passing through the lentisque ravine is not safe for older people.

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fbinice
fbinice

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jan 11, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Superb walk.
Truly magnificent scenery, one of the most beautiful walks in the region.
The route takes in paths that are well trodden and others that are much less so.
For the latter, I recommend wearing trousers and long sleeves, as the vegetation is often dense and somewhat "aggressive".
This hike should also be undertaken with good footwear, as the paths are very rocky and there is a lot of scree.
You'll need an Ign map or a good map application to make sure you're on the right route.
Finally, if you have the opportunity to do this walk during the week, it is preferable, as some sites are very busy (at least 30/40 people at the peak of Cap Roux) and this spoils the pleasure of enjoying the panorama.

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calou40
calou40

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 14, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Very nice walk from start to finish with magnificent views all along the way.
With the GPX file there's no problem following the route, but having an IGN map of the area is good too.
The hike is a walk and not a race.
bonne rando a tous

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cvidal
cvidal

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 28, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very beautiful hike. Could be shortened to just the Grotte de Sainte Beaume, Chapelle St Honorat and Pic Roux sections, with or without the Pic de l'Ours.
A departure from the Gare du Trayas is also possible from Cannes.

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Jean Pierre Berger
Jean Pierre Berger

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 17, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A magnificent walk, with some wonderful discoveries and spectacular views.
Problem at point 10: "then before the Grotte d'Uzel turn right". It was impossible to find the path to the right to reach the squirrel ravine and to find our bearings accurately on our paper edition of the map or on the IGN map. So we returned to the Col des Lentisque to reach point 11 via the ravine on the ubac de l'Escale. A very pleasant diversions, no regrets !!!!!

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goodmatch
goodmatch

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 17, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

I can't comment on the length of the walk as I did part of it running, but as for the scenery, it was really great.
I was glad to have the GPS track on my watch because on 2 occasions I wasn't sure which way to go.

Definitely worth doing

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Gépé
Gépé

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Mar 30, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Excellent! Magnificent! Superb!
The choice of trails, the diversity of landscapes, the descriptions and the precision of the route: nothing to complain about! Well done

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jl1309m
jl1309m

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jan 24, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Walk in the opposite direction to enjoy the sea view after lunch.
Between the Fontaine de la Ste Baume and the Ravin des Lentisques the path is very faint, so keep a close eye on the ground markings.

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visorando
visorando ★
• Last modified:

Hi,

thank for your comment.

The IGN use UTM WSG84 coordinates on their maps.

You can specify to use these coordinates on Visorando in your profile : 'My page', then 'Modify my information', then 'Geographical coordinates format ' and submit.

Arnaud

Arnaud

Sur les sentiers des Vosges...

alanp
alanp

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Jan 09, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Hi
First time using your website - very useful and great for help with identifying walks. But, I am confused by your grid references.
For example the start of the walk Peaks of Cap Roux at Belle Barbe Pass car park is noted as being N 43.456562 / E 6.868843. But these coordinates are way off the scale of the IGN 3544 ET map of the area.
what am i missing?

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