The Corniche des Maures and the Îles d’Or

Easy to moderate. Daily distances range from 10 to 15km, with 4 to 5 hours of walking, with no technical difficulties, along coastal paths and forest tracks. Daily ascent is generally between 250 and 350m, with just one slightly more demanding day reaching 600m. The terrain can be rocky, especially on the coastal paths, as well as sandy. Overall, the walks are manageable thanks to the relatively short daily stages.

You only need to carry a daypack with your belongings for the day, your picnic lunch and snacks for the walk. Luggage is transported by vehicle.

Transfers are by minibus driven by your guide, for up to 8 participants. Beyond this limit, only people who have their own vehicle and agree to use it to reach the starting points of the walks can book. An expense reimbursement of 70 € per car will then apply, covering approximately 115km travelled between day 1 and day 5.

Rooms accommodate 2 people. You can choose a single room, subject to availability.
The *** hotel in Le Lavandou is in a quiet residential neighbourhood, 200m from the beaches and 100m from the shops. The hotel has an outdoor swimming pool (from March to October). This historic Provençal building dating from 1890 is surrounded by a lovely exotic garden where you can relax.

Breakfasts at the hotel and dinners at a partner restaurant on the seafront, a 5-minute walk away. Picnic lunches from your daypack at midday.
Please let us know of any food allergies or special dietary requirements when booking; we will do our best to adapt your meals.

Guide services

Provided by a state-qualified mountain walking guide.

4 to 15 people

Guide gratuities are optional and at your discretion. To reward outstanding service, a suggested guideline is 5–10% of the total trip cost. Local currency is preferred.

6 days, 5 nights, 5 days of walking.

Meeting point / End of trip

Meeting point

On Day 1 at 13:45 outside Hyères SNCF railway station, or directly at the hotel at 14:15.

End of trip

On Day 6 at around 16:00 on the Giens peninsula or around 16:30 at Hyères SNCF railway station.

If you would like to book an extra night at the accommodation used for your trip, please contact us for the contact details.

By train

Direct TGV trains to Hyères or via Toulon, followed by a regular bus service, Zou route 83 Toulon / St Tropez no. 7801, getting off at the “Square des Héros” stop in Le Lavandou. The hotel is 50 metres away.
Timetables for departmental bus routes are available on the Var Departmental Council website, on the ZOU website
ZOU! bus timetables in the Var, one-way ticket fare: 3 euros

The hotel in Le Lavandou is very close to the town centre.

Free, unguarded parking spaces are available on the hotel’s street and in neighbouring streets.

A number of our trips offer opportunities to swim, either along the way or at the end of the day. It would be a shame to miss out. However, we stress that you alone must decide whether it is appropriate to swim; you therefore swim at your own risk and are responsible for your own safety.

Member of Agir pour un Tourisme Responsable (ATR)

Since 2012, Grand Angle has been a member of ATR, the leading association for more responsible tourism. We design our trips – on foot, by bike and on snow – to invite everyone to discover the world differently: with curiosity, respect and kindness.

As a member of the board of directors since 2018, we actively contribute to making the sector’s practices more meaningful. In practical terms, we focus on:

• Transparency in our practices and pricing
• Respect for our partners and local communities
• Protecting the environment on every trip

We also share the values of the traveller’s ethical charter, which encourages everyone to take simple steps to protect the places they visit and enjoy meaningful encounters.

Travelife Partner

Since 2025, Grand Angle has been recognised as a Travelife Partner, an international label that certifies our responsible environmental, ethical and sustainable management practices, both within our company and in our work with partners and the organisation of our trips.

This label, the second level of a rigorous international certification programme, recognises our concrete actions in support of responsible tourism. We are actively working towards the next level, Travelife Certified, in line with our sustainable development policy

Luggage

• 1 backpack with a capacity of 35 to 40 litres, a ventilated, adjustable back panel and a hip belt, large enough to hold the day’s food, a water bottle, a protective layer, a camera…
• 1 soft travel bag (no hard-shell suitcases) to hold your changes of clothing for the week, to be handed over to the luggage transport team. Please note! Only 1 bag per person, weighing no more than 10 kg. Any excess baggage may be refused.

Clothing
For hiking

• for maximum comfort, choose a layered clothing system: warm base layers (leggings + top) such as “Carline” or “Capilene” (hollow fibres that wick away perspiration) + a sweatshirt or fleece jacket + a mountain jacket and overtrousers with a waterproof, breathable membrane (such as Gore-Tex or equivalent) for bad weather.

In general, except in hot climates and countries, avoid cotton, which holds moisture close to the body (and dries slowly), and choose suitable synthetic fabrics instead.

• canvas trousers
• shorts
• T-shirts
• 6 to 7 pairs of hiking socks
• 1 rain poncho covering both you and your backpack.

If you have high-performance outerwear (see above), you may only need a rain cover for your backpack. An umbrella is less practical, especially in windy weather or thunderstorms…

• 1 sun hat, ideally a cap with a peak and neck flap
• 1 scarf to protect you from the sun and/or wind
• 1 warm hat and 1 pair of gloves; depending on the season and altitude, always keep these at the bottom of your bag

For overnight stops

• changes of clothing and comfortable shoes
• “Quies” or “Ear” earplugs
• basic toiletries + towel + swimwear. In general, your clothing should suit the season and your chosen region.

Miscellaneous equipment
For hiking

• 1 pair of hiking boots with a waterproof, breathable membrane (such as Gore-Tex or equivalent) that feel comfortable! Break in new boots before setting off on a hike by wearing them for a few weeks beforehand to avoid the discomfort of blisters and chafing…
• 1 (or even 2) pair of sunglasses with lenses rated at least category 3.
• 1 large, strong plastic bag to wrap clothing and belongings inside your backpack (in case of heavy rain)
• 1 water bottle, preferably insulated, with a capacity of at least 1 litre. Drinking water is essential when hiking; 2 bottles holding 1 to 1,5 litre each will certainly come in handy in summer and/or in hot, dry regions.
• 1 folding knife, such as a Swiss Army knife + cutlery + cup - 1 Tupperware-style bowl with a lid for picnics.

Le Lavandou Tourist Office: 0494004050, www.lelavandou.eu
Bormes Tourist Office: 0494013838, www.bormeslesmimosas.com
Hyères Tourist Office: 0494018450, www.ot-hyeres.fr

Environment

The islands of Port-Cros and Porquerolles are part of a national park where the utmost respect for the environment is required. The former is known for its rich marine life and forest, while the latter has a fragile agricultural and natural environment, entirely in harmony with nature.
The forests of the Maures massif and the Îles d’Or are highly vulnerable to forest fires, and the Mediterranean flora found there is very fragile. It is important to stay on tracks and trails and follow the recommendations of the French National Forest Office’s Forest Walkers' Charter, which sets out the rules for this area: fires are prohibited, and smoking in the forest is banned from 15 March to 15 October. In addition to the access restrictions imposed by the prefecture between 15 June and 15 September, the massif may be temporarily closed depending on drought conditions. Respect the animals (this is their home) and do not pick plants (a flower pulled up will not grow back!). Take all your litter away and place it in the designated bins.

Mediterranean, of course! Mild in winter, and ideal in spring and autumn for its gentle temperatures, light and nature in bloom. In summer, the massif is closed due to the risk of fire. The route runs between sea level and an altitude of 450 metres, through the hills of the Maures overlooking the sea.

Michelin map 84
IGN Green Series map at a scale of 1/100000, no. 68.
Didier Richard map at a scale of 1/50000, “Massif des Maures”

• Le Maurin des Maures - Jean AICARD - Published by Marcel PETIT
• Le Rire du Maurin - Jean AICARD - Published by Marcel PETIT
• L’Illustre Maurin - Jean AICARD - Published by Marcel PETIT
• Provence Vagabonde - Maurice PEZET - Published by EDISUD
• Le Temps des Châtaignes - Jeanne COLLIGNON - Published by EDISUD
• Le Liège - Margaret TONDELIE - Published by EDISUD