Depart from the car park below the Chateauvallon theatre.
Take the track to the Ruins of Destras (1). Leave the track and take the narrow path to the right over the small bridge. At the 1st branching off, take the right.
At ref. point 232: it's possible to take the GR51, the marked trail on the right which passes by the 'télégraphe Chappe' (the Chappe semaphore tower), but we preferred to take the track in the middle so as not to miss the viewpoint at the Château du Diable.
Branch off to the right for the Croupatier, up to ref. point 500. A large cairn which marks the path to the Grotte du Croupatier (caves).
No major problems for continuing onwards: Rouvière Plane (509m), Cap Gros (575m).
Return to Rouvière Plane. Make sure you don't miss the small hidden path just before the big platform (ruins of a building).
Marvellous Vallon des Bagnards or Vallon de la Grille (gate), the gate which you will reach at point 456.
Return via a big track. Ref. 430 descends via the "Chemin du Gaz" (Gas Path). You will arrive above Chateauvallon.
The route zigzags back down to the car park.
A hike in the outskirts of Toulon where you get a 360° view of the amazing countryside. A big meeting place for spies who monitor Toulon harbour.
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Activity: Walking
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Distance: 11.26 km
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Calculated time: 4h 45
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Difficulty: Moderate
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Return to departure point: Yes
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Vertical gain: + 529 m
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Vertical drop: - 535 m
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Highest point: 564 m
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Lowest point: 133 m
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District: Ollioules (83190)
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Start/End: N 43.147087° / E 5.873104°
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IGN map(s): Ref. 3346OT
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Description
Waypoints
- S/E : km 0 - alt. 139 m
- 1 : km 1.01 - alt. 180 m - Village Le Détras (Ruines)
- 2 : km 1.96 - alt. 237 m - Col de la Barre de Taillan
- 3 : km 2.59 - alt. 296 m - Arche d'Alliance
- 4 : km 7.14 - alt. 553 m - Cap Gros/Baou de Quatre Ouro
- 5 : km 9.72 - alt. 421 m
- S/E : km 11.26 - alt. 139 m
Useful Information
No specific equipment required, except for good walking shoes.
Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.
During the walk or to do/see around
Don't miss the Château du Diable, the Chappe semaphore tower and the Croupatier caves.
Other walks in the area
Baou de Quatre Ouro (576 m) and Croupatier via the caves path
Departure from Ollioules (83 - Var)
This active route will take you through the Croupatier to the Baou de Quatre Ouro, one of the four "Toulonais brothers". Paths and ledges where you have to use your hands, passages with ropes, discover the main caves of the massif, where the famous caves of the Château du Diable make the route more interesting.
Château du Diable and the Destel Gorges in Ollioules
Departure from Ollioules (83 - Var)
This very challenging route takes the hiker to the site of the Château du Diable and its remarkable caves and the Destel gorges, with their astonishing giant's kettles or cauldrons.
Nice sections with chains or ropes.
The Cuves du Destel
Departure from Ollioules (83 - Var)
A real route for hiking lovers. The Destel trail (named after the stream) offers a varied and enjoyable walk (climbing with a handrails and chains, a path along the water's edge, walking through the cuves (natural basins)).
Tour and climb the Gros Cerveau of Ollioules
Departure from Ollioules (83 - Var)
A beautiful hike to the heights of Ollioules and Sanary, off the beaten track. Exceptional views over the on the coast of La Ciotat in Porquerolles, and the interior of La Cadiere d'Azur in Revest, the chain of the Sainte Baume ridges and the gorges of Ollioules.
The path alternates between shaded areas in the Mediterranean scrubland and parts where the sun heats the limestones of the La Colle massif.
Climbing up and around Mont Caume (804m)
Departure from Évenos (83 - Var)
Perched at an altitude of 800 metres, Mont Caume is one of the four Toulonais brothers which surround Toulon. It is certainly the highest; its summit is very dry as it's very exposed to winds and fluctuations in weather.
All these factors make ascending Mont Caume essential and well worth it.
The hike suggested here enables you to go all the way round the mountain and combines the pleasures of a very active route with the joys of a pretty much complete visit to both its summit and its slopes.
Croupatier Cave via Le Broussan
Departure from Évenos (83 - Var)
Leaving from Garde Pass, a beautiful hike through the Croupatier massif.
Le Faron
Departure from Toulon (83 - Var)
One of the Var's most beautiful walks.
This hike climbs Mont Faron on wide tracks and offers a breathtaking view over the most beautiful bay in Europe.
The Dardennes - The Turcos - the Pyramide de Cassini
Departure from Le Revest-les-Eaux (83 - Var)
I went on two walks I found on Visorando: "Le Revest - Tourris Castle" and "Tourris and the Pyramide de Cassini" before finding this itinerary that I'm recommending. The beginning of the first until the departmental road then part of the initial section of the second. Unlike the "Pyramide de Cassini", we discovered a route that's not marked on the maps but which joins the "Chemin des Turcos" in a forested area. A walk with uneven terrain that can be difficult at times.
For more walks, use our search engine.
The GPS track and description are the property of the author.