Hike – Mont Salva Nature Reserve

While the beaches are, of course, a must-see in Six-Fours, the town also boasts other hidden gems just a stone’s throw from your vacation rental at Au Chant Des Cigalous, including a Sensitive Natural Area above the village of Le Brusc. This spot is a little-known, secret slice of paradise off the beaten path for tourists, and in my opinion, a must-see hike in the region: Mont Salva.

A bit of history:

Excavations have unearthed Greek artifacts (coins, fibulae, glass beads, bronze objects, etc.) and revealed that this area has been a center of economic activity since the 6th century BCE. Goods from the Mediterranean basin were received here and then redistributed to the trading post at Taureis (Le Brusc) for shipment to Massilia (Marseille).

If you look closely, you can spot a few bunkers clinging to the cliffs and overlooking the sea, dating back to World War II.

Location:

Nestled between Gaou and Cap Sicié, on the southern stretch of the Six Fours coastline, Mont Salva is part of the Cap Sicié Forest Massif and constitutes one of the last major natural areas in western Var, locally known as the “Corniche Merveilleuse.”

The highly diverse vegetation transitions from understory (pine trees, Aleppo pines, cork oaks, holm oaks) to a unique garrigue specific to the area as it heads toward Cap Sicié (arbutus trees, aromatic plants).

To reach Mont Salva from your rental at Au Chant Des Cigalous, you have two options (in case of a “red day,” access may be prohibited!):

– The shortest route is to take, on foot or by bike, Avenue des Palmiers from the large roundabout (heading toward the village), in the direction of Six-Fours. At the right-hand corner of the avenue, take the first right onto Chemin de Mourret. When the path splits, take the slightly steep uphill path to the right (by bike!) which leads you to the Mont Salva trail. There you will find the restaurant “L’Auberge du Mont Salva.” Turn left and continue through the pine forest. At the corner where this path meets Chemin de la Lèque, you’ve arrived! If you’re driving, park a little further down in one of the small parking lots on Chemin de la Lèque (note: the road is rough and there are few spaces!).

Less than 2 km away, this walk will take no more than half an hour.

– From the village of Le Brusc, take Rue Marius Bondil (between Rue de la Poste and the church), then go straight onto Chemin de la Gardiole, and finally onto Chemin du Mont Salva. (This route adds about 1 km to the journey.)

What to do there?

In this idyllic setting, lulled by the song of cicadas, you can enjoy a family picnic at wooden tables in the shade of century-old Aleppo pines, shaped by the mistral wind, or play a game of pétanque.

At the edge of the pine forest, steep cliffs plunge into the Mediterranean, offering a unique view of the sea, facing the open ocean: to the west, the Pointe du Mourret.

To the east, Trou d’Or Beach and Cap Sicié.

Incredible calanques with turquoise waters then unfold beneath your feet.

Though very difficult to access or private, Mont Salva Beach remains “accessible” for teens or adults in top shape!

The trail isn’t paved, but it’s still passable if you’re careful not to slip on the lower section. Hidden beneath the rocks, this pebble beach with crystal-clear waters in a thousand shades of blue will enchant you, and you’ll feel truly privileged in this absolutely peaceful natural setting!

Note: cell phones don’t get reception at the bottom of the cove!

With a mask, you can observe an unspoiled seabed teeming with wrasse, sars, serran, and schools of saupes. Watch out for sea urchins…

As you can see, this beach is well worth the effort, but you must not underestimate the difficulty of the descent—which is, in fact, officially prohibited by the town hall. You must not be prone to vertigo, be in good physical condition, and wear closed-toe hiking shoes, as the terrain is slippery with loose rocks. Be sure to bring sunscreen and a bottle of water, which will be greatly appreciated, especially after the climb back up!

Tip: Make sure to spot where people are descending before you start, and go as far as possible toward the sea to continue your own descent, as the path is more passable there.

Otherwise, opt for the view from above, which will yield much more spectacular photos!

Mont Salva is very popular with hikers for its stunning scenery, but it also serves as a starting point for longer hikes through the pine forest and scrubland. You can reach the Fosse Beach (below) by continuing along the Chemin de la Lèque and then the Chemin des Cargadoux. Why not visit Trou d’Or Beach, Cap Sicié, or Notre Dame du Mai…

Just above the village, Mont Salva beckons you for a magnificent hike of less than 2 km via the Chemin de la Lèque.