Malinfernet Ravine trail
An easy walk along a wide forest road deep into the Estérel. First the road follows the Grenouillet stream, then fords it and enters the small Malinfernet ravine between red rocks. It ends at the site of the dried-up Lac de l’Écureuil. Back the same way.
- Where
- Estérel, France
- Length
- 7.2 km round trip
- Time
- 3.5 h round trip
- Difficulty
- easy
- Route
- out and back
- Difficulty colour
- blue run
- Up and down
- ↑ 145 m · ↓ 145 m
Colours work like ski runs and match the app: they come from the length, the climbs and the steepness. Highest point: 80 m.
Where to start
Parking area at the Col de Belle Barbe. From the roundabout in Agay, take the Avenue du Gratadis to the entrance of the Estérel massif. After 1.5 km, turn left toward the Col de Belle Barbe and go another 400 m up.
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.
Along the way the road fords the stream twice.
Facts checked on 26.10.2026.
Sources
- Estérel Côte d’Azur, official routes — “Ravin de Malinfernet” (7.2 km, 3 h 30, 74 m of ascent)
- 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)