Between Cannes and Saint-Raphaël, on the French Riviera (Cote d'Azur), lies the Massif de l'Esterel, a wild natural area offering wonderful hikes year-round. I finally had the opportunity to hike the beautiful loop trek around the Pic du Cap Roux.

 

Trekking: Pic Du Cap Roux, Esterel, France

 

To begin the route, drive along the Corniche de l'Esterel, a wonderful panoramic road that allows you to admire the peaks and cliffs composed of rhyolite, a deep red volcanic rock, also known as red porphyry. The contrast between its characteristic color and the blue of the sea dominates the scene and leaves you mesmerized.

Whether arriving from Cannes or Saint-Raphaël, you must drive to the two public parking lots near the start of the route (see our map below).

Before or after the hike, we also recommend exploring the coast near Pointe de l'Observatoire.

The trek is pleasantly doable on a beautiful sunny day in autumn, winter, and early spring. In summer and late spring, we recommend avoiding the middle of the day, as the heat can be intense.

The route begins by passing the barrier and taking the paved service road of the reserve, which climbs gently eastward, away from the coastal road (Route du Trayas). Shortly after the entrance, you leave this paved road, climb some steps, and reach the obvious path in the Mediterranean scrub, which first makes a wide loop to the east, crosses a small valley, then returns eastward, and then westward again, finally reaching the northeast ridge leading up to Pic Du Cap Roux.

 

 

You can always follow the most obvious main trail, which always climbs at a moderate gradient, in a wider circle, until the last short stretch that reaches the summit. Alternatively, you can follow the same trail we did and take some steep shortcuts to save time. If you follow the main trail, you can easily follow the route even with school-age children, used to walking. It took us about an hour and a half to reach the summit (454 m above sea level), enjoying the views and covering the 4 km of the track, overcoming an elevation gain of just over 400 meters.

It goes without saying that the view from the summit is worth the hike. To the east, you can see Cannes, and in front of it, the Îles des Lérins. On our hike (March 26, 2026), the still heavily snow-capped peaks of the Maritime Alps, on the border between France and Italy, appeared in the background. A magnificent scene, with its different levels and overlapping environments, and the variety of colors.

To the west, you can admire the beautiful and tranquil Bay of Agay in the foreground, and the rugged Côte d'Azur, towards Saint-Aygulf and all the way to Saint-Tropez.

 

 

The descent is no less stunning, as you walk toward and around the pinnacles of Le Pilon, where you can often spot a few climbers. Our photos give you a sense of the stunning sight of these reddish monoliths rising into the blue sky.

Once you reach the Col du Cap Roux, if you have time, you can walk all the way around Le Pilon, i.e. continue right, heading north and then west. Or you can follow the signs for Saint Barthelemy and descend to the left (southeast), along the steeper path. This one, with a series of switchbacks and crossing several scree slopes (where you need to be a bit careful), quickly reaches the paved service road that takes you back to the starting point.

You will certainly remember this day with great fondness for a long time to come.

Enjoy your hike. Fabio

Click here for the complete slide gallery of the excursion.

 

 

 

The video of the hiking