Between the Mediterranean coast and the first peaks of the Alps, the Var département in southern France offers one of the most varied line-ups of hiking trails in the country. Wooded slopes in the Sainte-Baume, cork oak forests in the Massif des Maures, red rock in the Esterel, gorges carved through the Verdon valley, and high alpine terrain in the Mercantour National Park: whatever your level, distance, or time budget, there’s a trail to match. Here’s an overview of the region’s finest hiking grounds and the neighbouring areas, several of them reachable straight from our campsites on the Presqu’île de Giens.

The Sainte-Baume: forest and pilgrimage

The Sainte-Baume massif sits on the border between the Var and the Bouches-du-Rhône, best known for its centuries-old beech forest, one of the few of its kind in Provence. The massif is also a major pilgrimage site: local tradition holds that Mary Magdalene spent her final years in a grotto within the forest. From there, a path climbs to the summit ridge with views stretching across the whole region to the Mediterranean, a several-hour route for experienced hikers. Shorter walks through the forest itself, just a few kilometres long, are manageable for families with children too.

The Massif des Maures: cork oaks and quiet villages

West of Hyères stretches the Massif des Maures, a low mountain range shaped by cork oak and chestnut forests between Toulon and Fréjus. The town of Roquebrune-sur-Argens, on the Argens river, marks its eastern edge. Further west, villages such as Collobrières and Bormes-les-Mimosas serve as starting points for trails through a hinterland considerably wilder than you’d expect so close to the coast. If you already know the forested areas around Hyères, this is their steeper, more remote cousin, with routes ranging from a few kilometres to full-day treks through narrow valleys.

Mont Faron: Toulon’s home mountain

Mont Faron rises directly above Toulon, and on a clear day its summit looks out over the Îles d’Hyères and the islands beyond. A cable car makes the ascent an easy one; those who’d rather walk can choose between several waymarked paths through the pine forest, with an elevation gain that won’t overwhelm even less experienced hikers in the space of a few hours. At the top, a memorial commemorates the 1944 Allied landings.

The Esterel massif: red rock over the sea

Between Saint-Raphaël and Cannes rises the Esterel massif, a volcanic range of red porphyry rock that runs right down to the Mediterranean. The Pic du Cap Roux, one of its most distinctive peaks, is reached via a moderate trail and rewards hikers with a panoramic view of the coast between Saint-Tropez and Cannes. The contrast between the red rock, the dark pine forest, and the blue of the sea makes the Esterel one of the most photogenic hiking areas on the Côte d’Azur.

The Gorges du Verdon: Europe’s largest canyon

Further inland, on the border with the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, lie the Gorges du Verdon. The best-known trail, the Sentier Martel, follows the river for around 14 kilometres through the canyon and takes several hours depending on your pace. At the mouth of the gorge lies the Lac de Sainte-Croix, a turquoise lake whose shores make for a pleasant end to the hike. If you’re short on time, the many viewpoints along the canyon rim offer shorter walks with equally dramatic views down into the depths.

Mercantour National Park: high mountains and wildlife

At the northernmost edge of the region, along the Italian border, lies Mercantour National Park. Here, alpine lakes, jagged peaks, and the famous rock engravings of the Vallée des Merveilles follow one another in turn. The park is home to chamois and ibex, often spotted from close range along the trails. It’s a full-day outing, best paired with an overnight stay in one of the small villages of the hinterland.

Coastal walks near Saint-Tropez

Closer to the coast, the Sentier du Littoral, the Côte d’Azur’s coastal path, runs around the Saint-Tropez peninsula. Between coves, pine forests, and rocky outcrops, it offers some of the finest sea views in the whole département, over a distance manageable for most fitness levels in a few hours, with access to several small beaches along the way.

Hiking straight from the campsite: the Presqu’île de Giens

Don’t want to travel that far? The Presqu’île de Giens, home to our three campsites, has its own coastal path around the tombolo, right on the doorstep, with views across to the island of Porquerolles. You’ll find all the details on the route, distance, and duration in our guide to walking the Presqu’île de Giens.

Whether it’s a short stroll along the beach or a full day in the mountains, book your stay at one of our Acampa campsites on the Presqu’île de Giens and use the location as a base for hikes across the whole of southern France. Camping Clair de Lune, in particular, makes a quiet starting point. Also take a look at the 5 most beautiful hikes in Hyères, three unusual walks in the Var, and more walking routes in the Var.