Randonnée : Les Étangs de Villepey
The Villepey ponds are an easy and family-friendly hike. A protected area in Saint-Aygulf, you will see many species of birds and can admire the view from the observation platform!
Tips and Suggestions
– Observation of local flora and fauna
– Viewpoint over the ponds
Route details
Description
> ACCESS
Via the Avenue de la Corniche d'Azur (D559) in Saint-Aygulf, park in the Esclamandes beach car park (paying in summer).
> STARTING POINT
On the opposite side of the beach, look for the sign indicating the ponds, between Kokonut beach and Mas d'Estel. You can start the walk by going to the observation bridge recently installed.
> ITINERARY
Return to the start of the footbridge and follow the roadside until you reach a path on the left. Take it and stay on it. At the crossroads, join the “chemin des étangs” on your left.
Continue until you reach the first houses, where the arm of the ponds narrows. Locate the wooden footbridges on your left and cross both.
Continue along the path, always staying on the track that runs alongside the ponds. Once you have passed the “Le Grand Calme” campsite on your right, watch out for the start of the path on your left, at the bend in the road. Take it to get to the Vasière observatory. From the observatory, a passage allows you to reach the beach located behind.
> WARNING
Following the recent floods, some facilities such as bridges are no longer accessible. Please take into consideration that you will have to retrace your steps during this hike.
Passage closed between 15/06 and 15/09:
– If open: continue along the ponds until you reach the Saint-Aygulf campsite. Cross it to reach Galiote beach. From the beach, join the departmental road which will take you to the starting car park.
– If closed: Go to the observatory, then retrace your steps. Follow Avenue de Saint-Aygulf to the roundabout (be careful, traffic zone!). Continue on Rue Roger Martin du Gard on the left, then continue straight on Boulevard Hamon. You reach the main avenue of Saint-Aygulf: Avenue de la Corniche d'Azur. Turn right and continue straight to cross the Saint-Aygulf bridge and reach your starting car park.
Via the Avenue de la Corniche d'Azur (D559) in Saint-Aygulf, park in the Esclamandes beach car park (paying in summer).
> STARTING POINT
On the opposite side of the beach, look for the sign indicating the ponds, between Kokonut beach and Mas d'Estel. You can start the walk by going to the observation bridge recently installed.
> ITINERARY
Return to the start of the footbridge and follow the roadside until you reach a path on the left. Take it and stay on it. At the crossroads, join the “chemin des étangs” on your left.
Continue until you reach the first houses, where the arm of the ponds narrows. Locate the wooden footbridges on your left and cross both.
Continue along the path, always staying on the track that runs alongside the ponds. Once you have passed the “Le Grand Calme” campsite on your right, watch out for the start of the path on your left, at the bend in the road. Take it to get to the Vasière observatory. From the observatory, a passage allows you to reach the beach located behind.
> WARNING
Following the recent floods, some facilities such as bridges are no longer accessible. Please take into consideration that you will have to retrace your steps during this hike.
Passage closed between 15/06 and 15/09:
– If open: continue along the ponds until you reach the Saint-Aygulf campsite. Cross it to reach Galiote beach. From the beach, join the departmental road which will take you to the starting car park.
– If closed: Go to the observatory, then retrace your steps. Follow Avenue de Saint-Aygulf to the roundabout (be careful, traffic zone!). Continue on Rue Roger Martin du Gard on the left, then continue straight on Boulevard Hamon. You reach the main avenue of Saint-Aygulf: Avenue de la Corniche d'Azur. Turn right and continue straight to cross the Saint-Aygulf bridge and reach your starting car park.