Cap Roux: Short Loop trail
A short loop in the Estérel massif to the summit of Cap Roux, 453 meters above the sea. The trail climbs from a spring to a pass, follows a ledge below red cliffs and leads to the summit with its orientation table. From there you can see the coast from Cannes to Cap Camarat. The way back goes deeper into the massif, to the same spring.
- Where
- Estérel, France
- Length
- 4.3 km
- Time
- 2 h
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Route
- loop
- Difficulty colour
- red run
- Up and down
- ↑ 268 m · ↓ 266 m
Colours work like ski runs and match the app: they come from the length, the climbs and the steepness. Highest point: 437 m.
Where to start
Sainte-Baume parking area in the Estérel massif. From the roundabout in Agay, follow the signs for “Massif de l’Estérel,” then about 6 km following the signs for “Pic de l’Ours.”
Before you go
From June to September, entry to the forests of the Var department depends on the prefecture’s map. It is published every day by 7 p.m. for the next day: risque-prevention-incendie.fr/var. On “red” and “black” days, entering the massif is banned; on “orange” days it is not recommended.
On days of very high and extreme fire risk, some forest roads are closed to cars. You may not be able to drive to the parking area.
The eastern part of the Estérel belongs to the Alpes-Maritimes. It has its own summer map: risque-prevention-incendie.fr/alpes-maritimes.
The official description warns: on the climb to the Sainte-Baume cave there is an exposed section above a drop, and at the end of the way back there is scree.
There is a spring not far from the start, but it’s better to bring your own water.
Facts checked on 26.10.2026.
Sources
- Estérel Côte d’Azur, official routes — “Le petit tour du Cap Roux” (4.3 km, moderate, 2 h, 380 m of ascent)
- Saint-Raphaël town hall and ONF — “Estérel State Forest” board (6,017 ha, Natura 2000, protected landscape since 1996, rhyolite)
- Var Prefecture — summer closure of forest areas: access map (in 2026, from June 8 to September 30, published by 7 p.m. for the next day)
- Daily map of access to the forest areas of the Var department (colors: green, yellow, orange, red, black)
- Alpes-Maritimes Prefecture — order 2025-101: summer access to forests according to the risk map for each commune (summary, May 2025)
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