Country:
District:
Park on Rue Jean-Baptiste Pastor or in the car park at the end of this street on the right.
Red and white signposts
(S/E) At marker 508, take the track that climbs up the Vallon de l'Autel at the end of Rue Jean-Basptiste Pastor towards the Col de Théoule. The path passes through a fairly dark valley surrounded by mimosas and below the railway line. It then climbs a little and comes out above the railway line.
No signposts
At an unnumbered signpost indicating the direction ofthe GR® via a path on the right, continue straight ahead on the track.
Just after this, in a bend at a small valley, climb up to the left along a path on the left bank. The path is a little obstructed by mimosas for the first few metres but is then clearly visible, although it is not easy going due to a few steep and tricky sections caused by erosion.
When you reach a large rock slab, climb up to the right and join another path also climbing up to the right.
Then climb up to the left, going around a rock block on the left, and rejoin the well-marked path just above.
Continue along this path until you reach a beautiful, wide track just above the Notre-Dame-d'Afrique memorial.
Descend to the right along the track to reach this amazing statue.
Red and white markings
(1) Go around Notre-Dame-d'Afrique and continue straight ahead on the track until you reach a right-hand bend. Take the bend and, at the end of it, descend to the left on an unmarked path below the track.
No markings
This path descends through a pine forest towards the Miramar neighbourhood. Join the road at marker 513.
(2) Go up Boulevard de l'Estérel on the left. Pass the Palais Bulles de Pierre Cardin and just after it, go down the stairs on the left. These stairs pass right next to the open-air theatre of this sumptuous villa.
At the bottom of the stairs, turn left to reach the Col de l'Esquillon, then go up to the right towards the orientation table. This can be reached via the path at the end of this cul-de-sac.
(3) Enjoy the view of the Calanque des Deux Frères to the north (with another bubble house visible), the Lérins Islands to the east and the Trayas district to the west, topped by the Pic de l'Ours and the Pic du Cap Roux.
Retrace your steps to marker 513 via the Col de l'Esquillon, the staircase and the Palais Bulles.
Yellow markings
(2) Back at this marker, take the path that follows the ledge on the right towards the Pointe de l'Aiguille.
The trail is level until you reach a scree-covered area with a wire fence. Take the steps up to the left and continue north on the well-marked trail.
After a descent and a passage above the second bubble house, you will arrive at a track at marker 512.
(4) Continue straight ahead towards the houses and join a small street, then at marker 520, turn left towards Pointe de l'Aiguille.
Climb up this track through the mimosas and eucalyptus trees before reaching the pine trees near Théoule Supérieur. Continue to marker 519.
(5) Descend on the right, still heading towards Pointe de l'Aiguille. Climb back up through the eucalyptus trees to reach a superb viewpoint over the Gulf of La Napoule in a slightly landscaped area with a few benches and tables.
Go down the winding path to Rue Abel Balif at marker 518.
Turn left, then go down this street on the right and join the coastal road, RD 6098.
Cross carefully and head back up to the right (on the pavement on the left of the road) to reach the entrance to the Parc Départemental de la Pointe de l'Aiguille.
(6) Take the steps down on the right towards Pointe de l'Aiguille. Follow the marked path to marker 516.
Turn right to make a round trip to Pointe de l'Aiguille and its three beaches: the first can be seen below as you descend the stairs (Plage de Gardanne), the second is north of the stairs, and the third is east of the stairs when you turn right at the bottom.
(7) Climb the stairs to marker 516 and continue straight ahead along a wide path towards the coastal path.
At marker 515, go down the stairs on the right to reach Aiguille Beach (sandy beach).
When you reach the beach, turn left and take the Promenade André Pradayrol.
Follow this path to return to the centre of Théoule. Cross the RD6098 and turn left a little further on onto Avenue Charles Dahon.
Pass the town hall and continue straight ahead to return to the car park where you started. (S/E)
Visorando member
Difficult 
