Pic de l’Ours trail
A short loop in the heart of the Estérel. From the Col de Notre-Dame the trail leads to the red Dent de l’Ours rock, then climbs to the foot of the transmitter on the Pic de l’Ours summit. From the top you see the coast from Fréjus to Cannes and the Lérins Islands, and on a clear day the Alps. The way back is a steep, stony descent to the pass.
- Where
- Estérel, France
- Length
- 2.6 km
- Time
- 1 h 30 min
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Route
- loop
- Difficulty colour
- black run
- Up and down
- ↑ 187 m · ↓ 186 m
Colours work like ski runs and match the app: they come from the length, the climbs and the steepness. Highest point: 479 m.
Where to start
The dead-end parking area at the Col de Notre-Dame. By car only: from Agay follow the “Massif de l’Estérel” signs, then about 12 km of “Pic de l’Ours” signs.
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.
The Col de Notre-Dame is on the border with the Alpes-Maritimes. In summer, check their map too: risque-prevention-incendie.fr/alpes-maritimes.
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 descent is steep and stony in places. Walking down the paved road is easier and takes about 20 min longer.
From September to March there may be hunting drives in the massif.
The Saint-Raphaël Tourist Office gives 2.3 km for this loop.
Facts checked on 30.10.2026.
Sources
- Estérel Côte d’Azur, official routes — “Le Pic de l’Ours” (2.6 km, 1 h 30, 148 m of ascent, moderate)
- Saint-Raphaël Tourist Office — “The Pic de l’Ours” (2.3 km, 1 h 30, loop)
- Saint-Raphaël town hall and ONF — “Estérel State Forest” board (6,017 ha, Natura 2000, protected landscape since 1996, rhyolite)
- Wikipédia (FR) — Pic de l’Ours: the volcanic rocks of the Estérel, the Dent de l’Ours
- 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)
