Massif de l’Estérel
The Massif de l’Estérel, unfolding largely to the north and east of the Massif des Maures, stretches from Fréjus-Saint Raphaël in the west to La Napoule just south of Cannes. Much like the Maures in terms of its flora and fauna but about a quarter of its area, the Estérel is a densely forested, rugged terrain. Its volcanic origins show in a base of distinctive red porphyritic stone and in the profile of Mt. Vinaigre, at 614 m/2,000 feet, its highest point.
Once again, the contrast between the bustling coastal resorts and the quiet isolation of the interior is remarkable. It is possible to spend your days hiking or cycling along fragrant, silent trails, enjoying miles of coastal and mountain vistas, then dining and clubbing the night away along the coast
Of the 79,000 acres of the Estérel, 32,000 are managed and protected regional forest. This area, which has almost no towns and villages, is crossed by the Aurelian Way (the Roman road now running along the N7) and laced with about 45 km/28 miles of footpaths, 100 km/62 miles of signposted mountain bike trails and 100 km/62 miles of bridle paths.
The following are the major destinations around the Massif de l’Estérel:
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