A quick trip to Cap Béar

A magnificent little hike that is challenging but not difficult. Superb coastal landscapes, including the port of Port-Vendres, the fort, the semaphore and the Béar lighthouse.

Details

1889315
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.70 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 155 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 155 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 115 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 18 m

Photos

Description of the walk

To get to the start of the hike from Perpignan, follow signs for Argelès-sur-Mer on the D914. Leave the D914 at the second exit for Port-Vendres D86b, turning left towards "le Port". Continue along this road until you reach a roundabout, then take the road to the right towards the pier. Then take the first road on the right after the parking area reserved for motorhomes. Park in the car park called "la Redoute".

(S/E) Leave the car park via the car access. Take care. Take the "Chemin du Cap Béar" road to the left towards the east. Continue up this road. At a fork, keep right and continue along the road.

(1) Leave the road and start climbing up the mountainside on the path on the right (south). The route is marked with a yellow sign for "Cap Béar". At a fork, turn right (south).

(2) At the crossroads, turn left (north-east-east). On the right, you can climb up to Fort Béar.

(3) Take a small staircase on the right before the Béar semaphore, following the direction indicated by a yellow sign for "Phare de Béar".

(4) Once you reach Cap Béar, retrace your steps. At the Béar lighthouse, turn right to avoid the road and continue to the Béar semaphore.

(5) Turn right (west) onto the paved road called "Chemin du Cap Béar". Continue down this paved road until you reach the fork in the road you took on the way there.

(1) Continue back along the same route to the car park where you started (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 20 m - La Redoute car park
  2. 1 : km 1.05 - alt. 68 m - Crossroads of the loop
  3. 2 : km 1.79 - alt. 110 m - Crossroads
  4. 3 : km 2.18 - alt. 76 m - Stairs
  5. 4 : km 2.92 - alt. 18 m - Cap Béar (Cap de Biarra)
  6. 5 : km 3.62 - alt. 73 m - Cap Béar trail.
  7. S/E : km 5.7 - alt. 20 m - Parking at La Redoute.

Notes

Please note that this hike is exposed to strong winds. Cap Béar is known for having the strongest gusts of wind on the coast.

Worth a visit

- The Cap Béar lighthouse is located on Mont Béar, 800 metres south-east of Port-Vendres, near Cap Béar on the Côte Vermeille.
The lighthouse, its outbuildings and the surrounding site were listed as a historic monument by decree on 9 October 2012. (Source: Wikipedia).

- The Béar semaphore station is owned by the French Navy. A few military personnel are permanently stationed there to monitor the coast. Access is prohibited. (Source: Wikipedia)

- Fort Béar is a military structure built between 1877 and 1880. It is used as a training ground for urban combat. (Source: Wikipedia)

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 29 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
Souhaly
Souhaly

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 20, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hike completed in 2 hours and 40 minutes with two children (aged 9 and 7.5).
The scenery is lovely, and the hike is not difficult.
Not too crowded at this time of year.
Mild and pleasant weather

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Ciuccy
Ciuccy

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 25, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful, fairly easy hike along the coastline.
We followed the directions on the app, which were very clear.
Beautiful scenery along the way.
Not very busy when we did it as it wasn't yet tourist season.
Definitely worth doing 👍🏻

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Ranomyline
Ranomyline

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 11, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant, easy walk with beautiful scenery. The view of the sea is stunning (Port-Vendres, Banyuls). Very pretty lighthouse.

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Pat66700
Pat66700

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

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Pat66700
Pat66700

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Passing through the military zone is prohibited.
We had to turn around and return via the coastal path, which runs parallel to the road.

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catle
catle

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Magnificent views of the Cap Béar coastline.
Not too many hikers around in February 2025, so we enjoyed the peace and quiet and the grandeur
of the place. A wonderful experience!

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Eric-66
Eric-66

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 02, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent, pleasant walk with breathtaking views of the coast.
The wind, which is often present on the cape, is something to bear in mind: on windy days, it's a completely different walk, much wilder in terms of both effort and views, but just as beautiful.
Food lovers will enjoy the scent of rosemary and prickly pears in season (watch out for the thorns).
Thank you to the people who maintain and keep this beautiful walk alive.

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Eric25
Eric25

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 26, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant, easy walk.

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Saami
Saami

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 13, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

An excellent hike that can be done with children (aged 5 and 8). Magnificent views and, above all, the arrival at Cap Béar is sublime.
I highly recommend it, especially if you set off early in the morning.

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françois legendre
françois legendre

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 26, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Short, accessible and pleasant hike with lovely views of the coast and geological features of interest

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Castanviels
Castanviels

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 19, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

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ChrisMP
ChrisMP

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

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

A pleasant walk along the coastal path, with a fairly steep start. Very well signposted. An alternative route: the road is never far away, which is handy for Sunday walkers

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ChrisMP
ChrisMP

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

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

A pleasant walk along the coastal path, although the start is quite steep. Alternative route: the road is never far away, which is handy for Sunday walkers

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arthur2007
arthur2007

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 12, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

very beautiful hike, very pleasant place, lovely scenery

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Sylvie et Bernard
Sylvie et Bernard

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

A beautiful view and an easy path that allows you to admire the panorama.

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