ESCALET to GIGARO: A Riviera Hike To Remember

 “We thought it would be a 3-hour hike - it became 7. But every sweaty step, every sip of wine under the pines, every stumble and shared smile made it unforgettable.”

Sun-kissed and sea-breezed at Plage de l’Escalet ☀️🌊 Living our Côte d’Azur dreams
Photoshoot by my <3 @Carl

Wednesday, June 18th, 2025 - we woke early, already warmed by the Riviera sun and filled with excitement. Our plan: to start our coastal hike, this time from Plage de l’Escalet to Plage de Gigaro. While the bus option would take nearly two hours, we opted for an Uber - though we were surprised by the price surge: at 7 a.m. it was €20, and just an hour later, it jumped to €36! After many attempts failed and many waits, we went with the later ride, since we couldn’t resist starting the day with petit déjeuner from the beloved boulangerie near our hotel, L’Orangerie.

Our Uber driver was friendly and chatty, which made the 40-minute drive go by quickly. We arrived at Plage de l’Escalet around 8:40 a.m., energized and ready to hike.

Plage de l'Escalet

  

We're ready to hike!

At first, we got slightly lost. We mistook a steep stone formation near the parking lot for the trailhead. Thankfully, a kind woman - apparently a yoga instructor setting up on the beach - noticed our confusion and kindly pointed us in the right direction. Her warmth set the tone for the rest of the day.

A yoga set up on Plage de l'Escalet

The coastal path (Sentier Littoral) of Ramatuelle, with this leg stretching from Escalet to Cap Taillat, quickly became one of our favorite trails. The scenery was stunning - turquoise waters, rugged cliffs, hidden coves, and peaceful little beaches, both public and private. Along the way, we stopped for breaks, swims, and snacks in these secluded slices of paradise.

Basking in the glow of Saint-Tropez - unfiltered, unapologetic, unforgettable 🌿

 

My babe floating beneath the midday sun

Our favorite spot? A quiet little cove nestled within a naturist area, where we skinny-dipped, lounged on sun-warmed rocks, and shared sandwiches and cherries. A friend had advised us to bring 3 liters of water, but we only managed with 2 liters, two small bottles of white wine, and a small bag of cherries. Still, we’d recommend bringing the full 3L - hydration is key, especially under the rising heat. We carried with us not just snacks and water, but extra treats that all together helped open us up to the landscape more deeply - the light seemed warmer, the sea more playful, and the long path felt less heavy beneath our feet.

Hand in hand, we stepped into the crystal-clear waters of Plage de l’Escalet

Cap Taillat behind us - raw, radiant, and wildly peaceful🌞

Cap Taillat mesmerizing us

And yes, the heat wave hit hard. The trail became more exposed as we continued, and the rocky terrain made footing tricky - especially for me. At times, I had to crawl from one boulder to the next, while my partner, sure-footed and determined, surged ahead. He only tripped once, politely refusing help, determined to prove he was still strong as ever. It made me smile.

The rocky terrain

   

Crawl from one boulder to the next

We took refuge under pine trees whenever we found them, sipping water or wine and cheering each other on. At one rest stop, my partner asked me what three things I’d say when we finally reached the end of the hike. I replied, “I love you,” “Aperol Spritz,” and “beer.” He chuckled - clearly hoping for something more profound - then shared his own thoughts: that completing the hike would affirm we were still capable, that we’d feel proud, and then drink beer and water in celebration. And indeed, we both felt a quiet sense of victory.

''I love you''

   

Feeling quite sense of victory

Nearing Gigaro, we paused at a stony beach with strong waves. Thinking it was secluded, we went for a quick skinny dip - only to realize others had the same idea. Just as one man joined us, a security guard appeared, likely to warn him. We were lucky - already dressed and on our way again.

As we neared Gigaro, a rocky shore and roaring waves called us to pause

''Mirror, mirror in the water, whose shadow is who..''     

We found our own quiet paradise — just the two of us

Finally, we reached Plage de Gigaro. Tired but triumphant, we headed straight to Ponent Plage, a beachfront bar, for our much-anticipated drinks. My partner ran off to grab more water, while I claimed our table with views of the sparkling sea. What we thought would be a 3-hour hike ended up taking nearly 7 hours - but that was understandable as we took time to swim, sit, and enjoy the fragrant plants as well as each other, and we were deeply satisfied.

We caught a bus back to the hotel. Our receptionist greeted us with a knowing smile - she could tell we had conquered something. After a quick swim to ease our tired bodies, we got ready for dinner. Pizza was our well-earned reward.

A quick swim after hiking

We dined at The Famous Pizza Restaurant, just next to our favorite boulangerie. The place was buzzing with locals; everyone seemed to know each other. That night, I also discovered Pastis for the first time - and instantly fell in love with the taste of the south of France.

Ended the day with wood-fired pizza

 

Ended the day with the local wine as well

Trying Pastis for the first time

A German couple sat nearby and noticed my Pastis. The wife asked for the same drink before they even ordered food. Soon, we got talking. They proudly shared that they had first come to La Croix-Valmer 40 years ago, when the hiking trail didn’t exist. They claimed to be “pioneers” of the route. The pizzeria owner clearly knew them well, greeting them like old friends.

Unfortunately, the interaction took a downward turn when the husband decided a good conversational opener was to ask my partner his thoughts on Brexit, much to the embarrassment of his wife. Not a good topic for my partner! - he then went on to tease him about his ‘English’ suntan. Still, we kept things civil. We understood they probably meant no harm and perhaps just lacked a sense of social awareness in conversation.

After that, we returned to our hotel, full of stories, adventure, and appreciation for a day well lived. We slept soundly, already dreaming of the next day: a visit to Port Grimaud, wine tasting at Domaine Tropez, and exploring the village of Gassin.

 

🧭 Travel Tips: Plage de l’Escalet to Plage de Gigaro Coastal Hike

1. Book your Uber early to save money
   Prices can surge quickly in the morning. At 7 a.m. it was €20, but by 8 a.m., it had risen to €36!
2. Start early to beat the heat
   The coastal trail is stunning but exposed - especially during a heatwave. An early start means gentler sun and more comfortable walking.
3. Bring at least 3L of water 
   You’ll sweat more than you think. While wine and cherries are charming, nothing beats proper hydration on a long coastal hike.
4. Pack a lightweight picnic
   Sandwiches, fruit (like cherries), and even a small bottle of wine can turn a rest stop into a romantic seaside lunch.
5. Wear sturdy, grippy shoes
   The terrain includes steep rocks and uneven paths - secure footing makes a huge difference, especially if you're less confident on loose stone.
6. Don’t underestimate the trail length
   Though it looks manageable on a map, this hike can easily take 6 - 7 hours with breaks, swims, and photo stops. Plan accordingly.
7. Bring swimwear (or not!)
   Secluded coves along the naturist section offer peaceful places for a skinny dip - just be respectful and discreet.
8. Sun protection is essential
   Sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and light long-sleeve clothing will protect you in exposed sections.
9. Take breaks under pine trees
   These are rare shady havens where you can cool down, rehydrate, and enjoy the serenity of the coast.
10. Celebrate your arrival with cold drinks. Nothing beats an Aperol Spritz or Beer
    Nothing beats an Aperol Spritz or a local beer after a long, sun-drenched trek. The beachfront vibe is perfect for winding down.
11. Enjoy the local vibe at dinner
    Choose a casual, local spot like The Famous Pizza Restaurant to decompress. It’s often where you’ll meet characters - and hear great (or unexpected) stories.