• Duration: Three to five hours (depending on route)
• Difficulty: Moderate

This trail was one of the first hiking spots I discovered in the region. It’s located just south of our local village, Seillans, where the landscapes much more of a typical Provençal feel with an abundance of fresh thyme wafting through the air, countless streams of vineyards stretching along side the roads and up and down the rolling hills.

The Blavet, a small river that flows through the hills of the Var, has carved its way through striking red volcanic rock formations. Over time, the water has shaped the landscape into something truly unique. Rich in iron, the cliffs, composed of volcanic porphyry-oxidize and take on a beautiful golden-red hue. Their jagged edges rise into the sky, changing colours with the hours of the day and the seasons. Sculpted slowly by water and wind, the rocks have formed strange and beautiful shapes.

The surrounding vegetation, a mix of bushes and forest, blankets the valley floor, climbing the slopes, and clinging to the cliffs. The greenery comes in various shades, from light to dark, creating a rich contrast against the ever-present blue sky. From certain vantage points along the trail, you can even catch glimpses of the Mediterranean Sea.

The hike begins with a walk through a forest, following the river, which leads to the striking red rock formations. Along the way, you’ll pass the 'Grotte du Mueron,’ a cave inhabited during the Bronze Age. With its large entrance and remarkably high ceiling, the cave holds traces of our ancestors dating back to 12,000 BC.

Shortly after the cave, you’ll encounter a brief but steep climb to your first viewpoint, offering sweeping views of the surrounding landscape and the Mediterranean Sea. After crossing a road, the trail continues through the quiet hills and forests of this peaceful region. A couple of hours in, you’ll reach a stunning viewpoint, an ideal spot to enjoy a snack or packed lunch while taking in the medieval hilltop villages in the distance.

After lunch and soaking in the scenery, the route back tracks briefly before winding down along a trail that leads back to the car park.

Need to know

There are a few routes you can take from the trailhead. Here, you'll find an information board with the hikes labelled by difficulty level. This route is well marked and there is a map outlining the route in the car park.

This hike is easily accessible by car. There is a car park with picnic benches and normally plenty of room to park you vehicle.

I recommend wearing hiking shoes or boots, and bringing hiking poles for the steeper sections if that makes you feel more comfortable. Be sure to pack a windproof or waterproof jacket, it is highly unlikely it will rain and it may even feel quite warm in the middle of winter in the sunshine, but its better to be well prepared.

Carry enough water, at least 2.5 litres in the summer months.

This hike is accessible all year round. Be aware that if rainfall has been heavy in the region, especially towards the end of winter, the river can be quite full and might require you to cross on rocks or in the water itself. I find this quite fun, but please be careful as rocks can be slippery.