Hiking in the Gorges du Verdon

Arrival in Castellane by your own means, a medieval village, nestled at the foot of an impressive limestone block, Le Roc (a listed natural site), depending on your arrival time, you have the possibility of taking a short walk to visit the Notre Dame du Roc chapel and the remains of Petra Castellane (the abandoned city) from the top you’ll have breathtaking views of the valley.

Distance : 5km (3mi)

Elevation : 250m

Today you follow the GR4 from Castellane, an old Roman road now a small country road on the heights of the deep Verdon valley, the path climbs gradually overlooking the Verdon to the small village of shepherds of Chasteuil the ideal place for your picnic, before leaving for the high limestone moors and pastures. You descend towards Rougon perched on a rocky spur above the famous gorges before reaching the famous Sublime Point

Distance: 21 km (13mi)

Elevation : 780m

Transfer after breakfast from Point Sublime to La Maline, the start of your walk.

Today you are embarking on a must-see hike through the cliffs of the Grand Canyon du Verdon, named after Edouard Alfred Martel, who was the first to explore the Grand Canyon in 1905. Le sentier Blanc-Martel is probably the most famous hiking route in the Verdon. You descend into the Gorges and follow the course of the river to the Point Sublime. Along the way you will encounter the Brèche Imbert, six metal ladders with a total of 252 steps that facilitate the steep descent of this difficult part of the trail (difficult for hikers prone to vertigo) and you go through the tunnels of Trescaire and Baou (torch or headlamp and warm jacket required), walkways and stairs. It is a long but superbe and unforgettable experience!

Distance: 15km (9mi)

Elevation: 850 m

After breakfast short transfer to the start of your hike from Maline to La Palud. Today you’ll see the huge contrast between the gorges, the garrigue and the Barbin forest. You follow the Bastidon path, on a balcony above the Grand Canyon du Verdon overlooking the gorges by nearly 700m, from the Belvedere de Mayreste. The second part is more sporty, and goes up the Brusc ravine to reach the Barbin plateau before heading down to the small village of La Palud.

Distance: 18km (11mi)

Elevation: 950m

Today you have two options. For the very fit ones you can do a loop of the Tour de Barbin discovering hundred-year-old oaks and beech trees and then add the second hike from La Palud to the Point Sublime. In both cases you follow the Baou trail between cliffs and ravines to Rougon, a balcony dominating the Gorges, the ideal location for observing the vultures' feeding area, do not forget your binoculars.

Distance: 11km

Elevation: 580m

Distance: 7km

Elevation: 260m

Today’s hike will take you over the Verdon’s riverbed via an ancient Roman bridge. Once you pass the left bank, you head up to the hamlet of Entreverges. When you arrive at the Rancoumas lookout, nestled at an altitude of 981 metres, you will discover a natural ramp overlooking the Verdon, allowing you to fully enjoy a plunging view of the Verdon, which flows several hundred metres below. You follow the cliff to Trigance, a typical provencal village dominated by a beautiful feudal building with four towers, dating from the 11th century, it contains historical treasures and can be visited. You can also take a tour of the botanical trail that allows you to discover the flora of the Var highlands.

Distance: 10km

Elevation: 625m

During your last hike you cross the gorges and the Jabron valley with the bonus of a passing by the green waters of the Verdon at the Pont de Carajuan, gateway to the wonderful gorges of the Verdon. You follow the river before starting a regular and pleasant ascent to reach the Col du Pertuis de la Colle (1151m), ideal place for your picnic with a 360° view on the region before starting your descent to Cas-tellane through the state forest. Pick up your luggage at the hotel in Castellane. End of the trip in Castellane, you can pick up your bags at the hotel in Castellane

Distance: 20km (12 mi)

Elevation: 570m