Winter hiking: heading for the mountains of Provence Sud Sainte Baume

Maximum altitude: 446 m – 2 trails: from 3.5 to 6 hours – Level: intermediate.

Let's start our tour of the Var mountains at sea level, on the Mediterranean coast. There is a small village called Sanary-sur-Mer. In addition to its famous market and charming cobbled streets in the town center, this commune has another treasure: the Gros Cerveau mountain range.

This curious name comes from the Provençal "Lou Gro Cervo," which means "the Great Deer." And although today, if you walk along these trails, you are very likely to come across horned goats, no legendary creatures have yet been sighted...

From its height of 446 m, the Gros Cerveau massif offers two hiking trails: the Nerthes trail and the Belvédère trail. The first is the most suitable for a family Sunday stroll. With an elevation gain of 300 m and a total distance of 8 km (about 3.5 hours), you will gradually climb higher, alternating between forest and open horizons. At the summit, you'll be rewarded with a superb view of the Mediterranean, from La Ciotat to Sanary-sur-Mer—the perfect place for a picnic or a snack break!

The second trail is longer. With an elevation gain of 700 m and a length of nearly 13 km (about 6 hours of walking), this Belvédère hike will take you through valleys and balconies. You will then arrive at the foot of 19th-century monuments such as the Gros Cerveau and Pointe forts. This excursion is for experienced hikers and promises breathtaking views!

Maximum altitude: 1,148 m – Area: 45,000 hectares – Level: open to all.

Let's now head inland, specifically to the village of Beausset. This commune in the Var department, well known to locals for its departmental eco-museum and its old village, is also the gateway to the Sainte-Baume massif.

This natural area, proudly named after our destination (Provence Sud Sainte Baume), stretches to the border with the Bouches-du-Rhône department. An iconic mountain range in western Var, it is also a protected regional nature park for its cultural, historical, and artisanal heritage. But what interests us today are its natural treasures...

As you can imagine, with an area of around 45,000 hectares, there is no shortage of hiking trails! So, to help you find your way around this Provençal haystack, we recommend two routes: the Chemin des Oratoires in Le Beausset and the Sentier des Deux Chapelles in Riboux.

The first walk, in Le Beausset, has an elevation gain of 315 m over a distance of 5 km (approximately 2 hours' walking) and follows the village's twelve oratories. These places of worship, historical witnesses to our religious heritage, will guide you as you climb towards the famous Notre-Dame du Beausset-Vieux chapel. Prepare to be amazed: from the orientation table at the entrance to the church, you will have a 180° view, from the Bandol AOC vineyards to the immensity of the Mediterranean Sea.

The second route, located in Riboux , is a little longer than the first. Starting from this tiny village in the Var region with barely 45 inhabitants, you will take the same route as the pilgrims of old to connect the Sainte-Agathe chapel to the Saint-Pilon chapel. Along dirt paths and majestic ridges, you will gradually climb 627 m in elevation and walk 15 km (about 5 hours). At the end of the trail, you will find a chapel overlooking a rocky peak with the sky and Var countryside as a backdrop. Not for those who are afraid of heights, this spectacular view is as much for its 360° panoramas as for its height, which will give you the impression of flying above the Var.

Maximum altitude: 800 m – 9 trails: from 1.5 to 6 hours – Level: open to all.

With this last section on the peaks of Provence Sud Sainte Baume, we are making an exception. From a purely geographical point of view, Siou Blanc is part of the Sainte Baume massif...Oops! So, no, we haven't made a mistake, but this plateau is such a huge local playground that it deserved a paragraph dedicated to it, just like its two companions...

Accessible from the village of Signes, this limestone plateau covering more than 8,000 hectares offers no fewer than 9 hiking trails. This winter, we recommend exploring two of them: the Aiguilles de Valbelle and the Éléphant.

The first route on the Siou Blanc plateau is the Aiguilles de Valbelle, will take you straight to these natural monuments, geological curiosities of the massif sculpted over thousands of years by erosion. These peaks resemble rocky stalagmites that seem to emerge from the Morières forest. With an elevation gain of 252 m and a distance of nearly 9 km (about 3.5 hours of walking), this hike is ideal for a sunny winter day.

The second trail, the Elephant Trail, is easier and accessible to the whole family. With a 120-meter elevation gain and a 5-kilometer loop (about 1.5 hours of walking), it is perfect for a first exploration of the plateau. Its name comes from the rocks you will encounter... Indeed, this circuit is known for its formations resembling animals, especially elephants. A fun hike in the great outdoors, with delightful landscapes combining greenery and rock formations.