The Gorges du Verdon
Follow the spectacular meanders of the Grand Canyon du Verdon, between breathtaking cliffs, belvederes, tunnels and perched villages. This wild and panoramic route plunges you into a unique setting combining garrigue, forests and geological landscapes shaped by the power of water.
Discover the Gorges du Verdon, a natural jewel unique in Europe, where Alpine relief meets the scents of Provencal garrigue. This itinerary takes you to the heart of a land of contrasts, shaped by the tumultuous waters of the Verdon and millennia of geological transformations.
From the bottom of the canyon to the balcony trails, you can follow the river or climb to the heights, offering breathtaking panoramic views. The route winds through the spectacular landscapes of the Parc Naturel Régional du Verdon and the Réserve Géologique de Haute Provence, between forests, arid plateaus, caves, tunnels and belvederes suspended above impressive cliffs.
Along the way, you’ll discover the perched villages of Castellane, Trigance, Rougon and Chasteuil, little marvels anchored to the rocky slopes, witnesses of an ancestral way of life in the heart of wild nature. In the past, only a few daring men ventured here to harvest boxwood and honey; today, it’s hikers who come to immerse themselves in the grandeur of these exceptional landscapes.
Self-guided walking tour – 6 days – 5 nights – Departure between 28/04 and 30/09 depending on your availability and budget.
Program
Day 1
Castellane
Welcome in the afternoon or late afternoon in Castellane. Depending on your arrival time, a warm-up hike is available.
Discover Notre-Dame-du-Roc, the remains of the abandoned city of Petra Castellana, and above all a panoramic view of old Castellane, its Verdon, the ramparts and the pentagonal tower.
Accommodation / meals : Night and breakfast in a ** hotel. Dinner on your own.
Distance covered: 4 km – Activity time: approx. 1.5 h – Total ascent: 200 m – Total descent: 200 m
Day 2
Castellane to Trigance
After a short section on a narrow road, the hike climbs gently through forest on the mountainside to the Col de la Colle overlooking the Clue de Chasteuil. A descent brings you back to the Verdon, which you follow at the bottom of the valley and then climb the most beautiful parts of the Jabron gorges, a tributary of the Verdon.
Accommodation / meals : Half-board in a ** hotel.
Distance covered: 18 km – Activity time: approx. 6 h – Total ascent: 700 m – Total descent: 700 m
Day 3
From Trigance to Point Sublime
Cross the village of Trigance before climbing to the pass and hamlet of Entreverges, at the foot of the Breis and Biach peaks. Descent via the Serre-Méjean to the gorges and the Tusset bridge. A breathtaking view of the Escalès cliffs from the left bank. In the village of Rougon, site of the reintroduction of griffon vultures in the Aigle cliff. Stopover at the famous Point Sublime.
Accommodation / meals : Half-board in a ** hotel.
Distance covered: 11 km – Activity time: 4.5 to 5 h – Total ascent: 750 m – Total descent: 515 m
Day 4
From Point Sublime to Palud-Sur-Verdon
A short detour to the Rougon fortification, then the trail climbs to the Verdon highlands. On the Roman road, in a landscape dominated by cliffs, the circuit takes us under the Barres de la Gondole and des Maurels. The descent to La Palud-Sur-Verdon passes through small hamlets and the remains of Châteauneuf-les-Moustiers.
Accommodation / meals : Half-board in a ** hotel.
Distance covered: 15 km – Activity time: approx. 5 h – Total ascent: 625 m – Total descent: 660 m
Day 5
From La Maline to Point Sublime via the Sentier Martel
This is one of the most eagerly awaited and spectacular days of the gorge tour. Short transfer (included) to the Refuge de La Maline, starting point of the famous Sentier-Martel. The route passes through places with evocative names: Point Sublime, Couloir Samson, Escalès cliff, défilé des Baumes… Belvederes, staircases and tunnels punctuate the day. End-of-day ascent to Point Sublime.
Accommodation / meals : Half-board in a ** hotel.
Distance covered: 18 km – Activity time: approx. 7 h – Total ascent: 700 m – Total descent: 600 m
Day 6
From Point Sublime to Castellane
The trail joins the Suech doline, taking us to the small village of Chasteuil. The hike continues along the ancient Hellenic Way, on a balcony above the Verdon. In the background, numerous limestone cliffs and towers, the most characteristic of which are the -cadières de Brandis- and narrow clues such as -La porte Saint-Jean-. End of hike in Castellane.
Distance covered: 17 km – Activity time: approx. 5 h – Total ascent: 430 m – Total descent: 670 m
The flow of the Verdon is regulated by regular EDF releases; swimming in the Verdon is therefore prohibited. For practical reasons, and above all because of the availability of accommodation, and as the route is a loop, the organization can be done at the start of each stage.
An optional day trip around La Palud sur Verdon is also available:
LA PALUD-SUR-VERDON – LA PALUD-SUR-VERDON
From La Palud, the route winds through the forest, between oaks and pines, at the foot of the Barbin summit. Via the Grinhan ravine, the descent is straight ahead towards the gorges. From the Maireste lookout, the itinerary then follows the Bastidon path over the highest and narrowest part of the Grand Canyon du Verdon to the Bastidon ravine.
Distance covered: 17 km – Activity time: approx. 6.5 h – Total ascent: 650 m – Total descent: 700 m
Map
Practical information
Itinerary: The program has been drawn up according to the latest information available at the time of writing; imponderables are always possible and situations beyond our control may alter the course of the program.
Level: 4 hrs 30 – 7 hrs walking per day, with positive gradients of 350 – 900 m. Paths and tracks with stony or rocky passages sometimes requiring agile feet. Not recommended for people prone to vertigo.
Accommodation: Half-board accommodation in hostels, ** and *** hotels, depending on stage and availability, based on double occupancy, single room supplement, bathroom and WC in room, bed linen and towels provided. Dinners (except on D1) and breakfasts are taken in your host accommodation. Exceptionally in another establishment or in the form of a meal tray (if the usual hotel restaurant is closed for the day). Please note that on some stages, you won’t come across any shops. Remember to reserve your picnic (not included) the day before at your accommodation.
Access: If you are coming by car, check your itinerary at www.mappy.fr or www.via-michelin.fr. Michelin map 245. You can leave your car in the parking lot next to your accommodation in Castellane. (The flower parking lot). If you’re coming by train, access via the SNCF stations in Geneva, Grenoble, Nice and Marseille.
Stay extension: Possibility of an extra night + breakfast in Castellane, before or after the hike.
Documentation supplied: 2 IGN 1:25,000° maps, extracts from IGN 1:25,000° coloured maps with itinerary routes, day-by-day stage descriptions
Signposting: Most of the routes we suggest follow signposted paths:
– in red and white for Grande Randonnée (GR) trails,
– in blue, yellow or green for Petite Randonnée (PR) trails. Unmarked itineraries are easy to spot on the 1:25,000° IGN map extracts.
Environment: Our hikes take place in the Verdon Regional Nature Park, where Haute and Basse Provence meet. As such, all activities must respect the park’s charter, particularly in terms of protection: respect for the natural heritage, respect for the cultural heritage and its inhabitants, respect for natural resources (water, soil, habitats, fauna, flora, climate). The gorges du Verdon are highly susceptible to forest fires. It’s important to follow the trails and paths carefully, and to respect the recommendations of the Office National des Forêts’ Charte du Promeneur en Forêt. Mediterranean flora is very fragile, so don’t pick the plants (a torn flower won’t grow back!), and dispose of your garbage in the containers provided.
Climate: Southern Alps climate, dry and hot in summer, mild in autumn and spring, with the occasional strong Mistral wind, to which the region owes its exceptional sunshine.
Dates
Departure dates at your convenience between April 28 and September 30, 2025. We recommend booking well in advance for July and August.
Prices
Below is a list of prices per person for the year 2025. Prices are per person.
| With luggage transport | Without baggage transport | |
| 2 persons | 860,00 € | 720,00 € |
| 3 to 8 people | 780,00 € | 720,00 € |
| Single room supplement | 330,00 € | 330,00 € |
| Supplement for 1 single participant | 175,00 € | 35,00 € |
Price includes :
– Hotel accommodation
– Breakfasts
– Dinners except on D1
– Transfer on D5
– Luggage transport between accommodations according to chosen formula
– Tourist taxes
– Le Carnet de Route, 1 copy per registration form
Price does not include :
– Luggage transport for the backpack option
– Dinner on D1
– Lunches
– Visits
– Transport to and from the meeting point
– Beverages and personal expenses
– Insurance
From
860,00 €
Highlights
- The famous Sentier-Martel and Point Sublime
- The turquoise-blue waters of the Verdon
- First night in Castellane included
In pictures
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