10 Best Hikes Around Toulon

Mont Faron stands 584 meters high, giving incredible views over the city of Toulon, as well as its bay. Pick up a free map of hiking trails at the aerial cableway station, then ride up to the top for a fantastic hike. The trails are graded by difficulty level, so you can walk at an energetic pace over several kilometers or choose a gentler path which lets you take in the scenery.

The trails weave through fragrant Aleppo pine trees and sturdy Mediterranean oaks. In places, the terrain becomes more rugged and you’ll see rock climbers scaling Mont Faron, as well as joggers pushing themselves to the limit on the inclines. If you love heights, this is a great choice.

Le Croupatier is a mountain peak, 10 km north-west of Toulon. The hiking trails are popular with locals, as the tree-lined paths give plenty of shade on sunny days. There are some long trails at Le Croupatier and, on average, you can count 5-6 hours for a good hike to the top and back down.

From the summit, you’ll get some amazing, panoramic views over the bay of Toulon, as well as the medieval village of Evenos to the west. This picturesque village has many old houses overlooking the remnants of a castle, and it’s a stunning sight. The trails at Le Croupatier can be challenging due to the gradients, so be sure to bring plenty of water with you.

The Giens peninsula is a spectacular spot, close to the town of Hyères. Known for its double tombolo and beautiful vineyards, it’s a popular choice for locals who come here to enjoy water sports, such as windsurfing and sailing. Both locals and tourists love the hiking trails too.

There’s a good variety of well-marked, coastal trails. Choose the path connecting La Badine to La Tour Fondue in the east, if you’re looking for a gentle walk to enjoy stunning views of the beaches and small islands. The west coast provides more demanding trails. Have your camera ready as you reach the peninsula, as there’s a large flamingo population in the marshland around the double tombolo.

The Gorges du Destel provide some of the most challenging hiking conditions in the region. Set off from Le Château du Diable, just north of the commune of Ollioules, and a steep, winding trail will take you past Evenos and through magnificent gorges. You’ll love the breath-taking scenery along this trail, but it’s only suitable for experienced hikers.

Legend states that Gaspard de Besse, known as the French Robin Hood, hid in these gorges during the 18th century. It’s easy to imagine, with the giant caves and inhospitable terrain. There are chains and knotted ropes to help you along the trail but be sure to avoid hiking here in rainy weather as the paths and rocks can become extremely slippery.

The Forest of Janas covers almost 400 hectares and it’s less than 15 km from Toulon. This serene setting is abundant with fauna and you can enjoy numerous hiking and mountain-biking trails, which lead you through hundreds of Aleppo pines, oaks and eucalyptus trees. You’ll love the well-maintained paths which have shaded neighborhoods where you can stop for a rest or a picnic.

The most popular trails take you around 300 meters above sea level to the beautiful Notre-Dame-du-Mai chapel and you’ll get wonderful views of the coast. In summer, be sure to check online before arriving as the forest often has restrictions in place from mid-June to mid-September to reduce the risk of fires.

Le Gros Cerveau is a majestic mountain peak near Ollioules. Its altitude of almost 450 meters means you get some incredible vistas on your hike to the top. On a clear day, you can see the dazzling blue water of the Mediterranean Sea on the horizon, as well as the surrounding towns of Sanary-sur-Mer and Bandol.

This is a great family hike. The GR51 is a wide route crossing the peak and to shorten the walk, you can park along the road, reducing the hike by around 3 kms. Why not visit the nearby observatory too? It’s a beautiful, domed building and it has a packed calendar of fun events for astronomers of all ages.

The stunning island of Porquerolles lies in the Mediterranean Sea and it’s a short ferry ride from Toulon or the Giens peninsula. The spectacular beauty of the island will take your breath away with its imposing fortresses, pristine beaches and turquoise waters. The southern side of the island is popular with hikers. The steep cliffs make it more difficult to access than the rest of Porquerolles, so you’ll enjoy quieter walks, as well as secluded beaches and creeks.

For a few euros, you can purchase an interactive map online which will give you all the hiking routes and cycling paths on the island. You can also pick up a paper copy, free of charge, in the local tourist offices.

Mont Caume is the highest mountain peak in the Toulon region, with an altitude of around 800 meters. Locals like to picnic here after an energetic walk, as it’s often quieter than hiking on nearby peaks. You can take your automobile up Mont Caume, but the road is very narrow and winds around with a steep incline. It’s best to park further down and delight in the views on your invigorating climb to the top.

You’ll be rewarded with spectacular scenery as the lush greenery and dazzling blue sea stretch out before you. You’ll need good walking shoes for this hike, and don’t forget a hat or scarf as it can get very breezy at the summit.

The sandstone of Sainte-Anne d’Evenos is fascinating to see, so bring your camera to photograph these remarkable geological formations. The best way to visit them is along the trail which departs from the carpark in the commune of Sainte-Anne d’Evenos. You’ll see how the chalky formations have been sculpted and eroded over time to leave impressive ball shapes and large, white hollows in the rocks.

The trail here is signposted well and part of it crosses privately owned land, so no automobiles are allowed. It’s a gentle hike, allowing you plenty of time to take stunning photos of this unique site. Be sure to watch out for potential crumbling of the rock formations though.

The Lac du Revest provides a great hiking trail for beginners. It’s a gentle, mostly flat trail of just under 2.5 km, taking you in a loop around a beautiful lake and dam. The lake is open year-round and you’ll see locals walking and carp fishing, but it’s a calm place and never too busy. The carpark at the entrance has around 280 places, so this is a fantastic choice for families who want easy access to a pleasant walk. You can even bring your dog here.

Why not check out the village of Le Revest-Les-Eaux next to the lake too? It’s full of beautiful, old houses, a square tower and quaint shops and restaurants.