LA ROUTE DU SEL (L'Almanarre) (Salt road)

From 15/11 – 15/04 cars are not allowed to cross from Hyeres the thin Tombolo to the Peninsula of Giens. By foot you can enjoy the sea on one side and the salt lake’s ornithological fauna on the other.

From the observatory located in the middle part you can admire pink flamingos, storks, herons and plants such as water lilies (very rare and protected species) and orchids on the banks.

Hyères gave the protection and development responsibility to the coast Committee.

THE TRACK FROM THE MADRAGUE PORT TO THE BADINE BEACH :

Presqu'île de Giens (Giens peninsula) – Follow the yellow marks from the Port of Madrague to the Badine Beach.

This 17.5 km trail enables you to go around the Giens Peninsula and enjoy the cliff views, Island views, Mediterranean forests or coves (partly shut from the entrance of the Niel Port to the Tour Fondue for security reasons).

WEST TRACK OF PORQUEROLLES :

Time and Distance: 5 hrs – 10 km.

From the village take the track towards the lighthouse through the olive trees. Leave the track to discover the Hameau, the Conservatoire Botanique (botanical museum) via the olive tree intersection.

The track continues towards the west bordering the cliffs and through the Mediterranean scrub. The contrast is spectacular compared to the north fringed by large beaches. After several hills such as Mont Esterly, you arrive at the western point of the Island i.e. the beach and peninsula of Grand Langoustier. The Fort Langoustier was a strategic point when Richelieu was head of the armies in the 16th century. Continue towards the beach “Argent” (silver beach”) where the sand looks silver due to the composition of quartz and white mica. The track circles back to the village.

EAST TRACK OF PORQUEROLLES :

Time and distance: 5:30 h – 12.5 km.

From the village the track follows the same itinerary as the west one until the south coast and the Porquerolles lighthouse. Then take the east direction to the Calanque de l’Indienne (Indian cove) and Calanque de l’Oustaou de Diou (the house of God in Provencale). Continue into the centre of the Island after the Mont des Salins (small hill) and join the 1 km long Notre Dame beach with turquoise waters and Alep pine trees. The track joins the port via the Alycastre and Lequin points and Courtade beach.

PORT-CROS MOUNTAIN CREST TRACK :

Time and distance: 3 hrs – 8 km .

Track borders Port Cros through to the Plage du Sud (South beach) via the Fausse Monnaie cove. Continue towards Mont Vinaigre through the jagged-edged coast.

PORT-CROS BOTANICAL TRACK :

Time and distance: 2.30 hrs – 3.5 km.

This botanical track starts from the village and goes towards the Fort Moulin then to Fort Estissac towards the Palud beach enabling you to follow the sub-marine trail in summer.

PORT-CROS PORT-MAN TRACK :

Time and distance : 4 hrs – 9 km.

The track starts at the Post office in the village towards Port-Man. After the Mill and cemetery it twines along the coast until the Palud beach.