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Best hike in the French Riviera: The Cap Roux loop
The Cap Roux Loop, located in the heart of the Esterel Massif in southern France, is a beautiful hike with panoramic views of the Mediterranean Sea and dramatic red rock formations. It was one of my favorite things I did on the Côte d’Azur. I can highly recommend doing this hike just before sunset. This 4.9-kilometer loop trail winds through lush vegetation, pine forest, as well as rocky outcrops unique to the region. Along the way, you’ll enjoy breathtaking vistas of the Côte d’Azur, including secluded bays and cliffs. It’s a moderately challenging hike, perfect if you’re looking for a short hike, but want to enjoy some of the most incredible views in the Côte d’Azur. Not too challenging, but with the best views in the region. I personally think, the Cap Roux hike is the best trail in the French Riviera!
How to Hike the Cap Roux Loop in the French Riviera
Departure point : Sainte Baume car park
hiking time : 2 hours out and back
Distance : 4.9 km (round-trip)
What the Cap Roux trail looks like
There is a sign at the start of the trail, so it will be easy to find. You start your hike by going up the steps leading to the chapel in the rocks. Follow the path until you come to a fountain with drinking water. Take the path on the right and continue for 50m then take the path on the left that leads uphill. Follow the path for about 1.5km and at the crossroads take a sharp left and head uphill towards the red rocks of Saint Pilon col. From here you have an exceptional view of the rugged coastline. The path follows the coastline and comes to another crossroads. On the left there is a path that takes you 100 meters to the summit/peak of Cap Roux. You’ll find the viewpoint indicator there. The peak is 453m hight and gives you views from Cannes to Cap Camarat. Then come back down the same path and turn left to continue your walk. You will head slightly downhill and away from the coastal side of Cap Roux towards the massif (don’t take the paths leading off to the right). This part of the path is mostly through forest. You will arrive back at the fountain.
How difficult is the Cap Roux Loop?
I’d say the Cap Roux loop is a relatively easy hike. From the Sainte Baum parking lot it should only take about an hour to get to the peak. There is a clearly marked path, but some of the trail has a lot of loose rocks. Some sturdy shoes are necessary and I can imagine it can get very slippery when wet. The path is not very steep and this very manageable hike has incredible views as a reward.
Longer Cap Roux hiking route
There is also a longer, more difficult loop in the Estérel Massif. This loop is 10.9-km long and starts near Théoule-sur-Mer, Alpes-Maritimes. Generally it is considered a more challenging route and it takes approximately 4 hours to complete. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. I have heard that the right trail is a bit more difficult to find, but the area is very popular, so usually you’ll encounter other people on the trail as well. The trailhead for this hike can be found here.
How to get to the Cap Roux trailhead by car
Take the coastal road towards Agay. Once you arrive at the roundabout in Agay take the exit marked “Massif de l’Estérel”. Go underneath the small railway bridge and past the shops and then turn right onto a small road signposted “Massif de l’Estérel”. Follow signs for “Col Notre-Dame” and park in the Sainte-Baume car park. Google tried to send us a different way, because it had marked this road as closed.
Extra tip:
Call ahead to see if the road to the Sainte Baum parking lot is open. When we wanted to go, google had marked it as closed, but it had just reopened. Especially when the weather has been bad, there is a chance it will be closed.
What else to do in the area
Before you go hiking, chill and take a dip at one of the beautiful Calanques. Or save it to cool off after your hike! One of the most beautiful ones nearby is Calanque de Saint-Barthélemy
