Hiking in the Gorges du Verdon

The itinerary starts and ends in the picturesque medieval village of Castellane , nestled in the Alpine foothills of Haute Provence . The most famous part of the itinerary is the Martel trail, 15 km long and including a series of stairs, tunnels, ladders and bridges. You will enjoy the spectacular scenery of the gorges : high jagged peaks, magnificent limestone cliffs, superb panoramic views from the surrounding alpine mountains. And the Verdon: the emerald green river which winds at the bottom of the gorge. You will discover the authentic atmosphere of the Provencal villages: La Palud , Trigance and Castellane where you will be able to taste local products such as truffles,oil, tapenade, lavender honey, wine and goat cheese; enjoy the art of living in Provence! Please note: This itinerary is not recommended if you are afraid of heights

Price from : 1180€
Region : Provence
Duration : 7 Days / 6 Nights
Level :
Type : On the way
Category : Hiking
Trip : Self-guided
Activity : Walking
Dates : Available from May to October

Click below to see hotels versions.

Day 1 :   Castellane, charming little village in the heart of the Verdon

Arrival at Nice TGV train station where you will meet our guide who will transfer you to Castellane, in the heart of the Gorges du Verdon. Settling in your charming hotel, where you will have an orientation meeting upon arrival.

Day 2 :   From Castellane to Point Sublime

Distance 1 : 8 Miles - 13 Km 
Elevation gain 1 : 750 Meters 

Today, you will follow the GR4 from Castellane, an ancient Roman road on the heights of the Verdon Valley. The path climbs gradually over the Verdon to the small shepherds' village of Chasteuil - the ideal place for a picnic - before leaving for the high pastures. You then descend to Rougon, perched on a rocky spur above the famous gorges before reaching the famous Point Sublime.

Day 3 :   Hike on the famous Martel trail in the Verdon gorges

Distance 1 : 11 Miles - 17 Km 
Elevation gain 1 : 900 Meters 

Today, you will start the hike in the "Grand Canyon of Verdon". Named after Edouard Alfred Martel who was the first to explore the Grand Canyon in 1905, the Blanc-Martel trail is probably the most famous hiking route in Verdon. You descend into the Gorges and follow the course of the river to La Maline. On the way, you arrive in Brèche Imbert, six metal ladders with a total of 252 steps that facilitate the steep descent/climb of this difficult part of the trail (difficult for hikers prone to vertigo). You will then pass through the tunnels of Trescaire and Baou (flashlight or headlamp and warm jacket required) by footbridges and stairs. It is a long hike but an amazing and unforgettable experience! At the end of the hike, you will get transferred by taxi to La Palud.

Day 4 :   From the lookout of La Maline to the typical village of La Palud

Distance 1 : 11 Miles - 17 Km 
Elevation gain 1 : 950 Meters 

After breakfast, you have a short transfer to the start point of your hike in La Maline. Today, you will discover the huge contrast between the gorges, the garrigue and the Barbin Forest. You follow the Bastidon path, overlooking the Grand Canyon du Verdon and the gorges 700 meters below. From the Belvedere of Mayreste, the second part of the route is more sportive and goes up the Brusc ravine to reach the Barbin plateau before going down to the small village of La Palud.

Day 5 :   From La Palud to the impressive Point Sublime

Distance 1 : 8 Miles - 13 Km 
Elevation gain 1 : 470 Meters 

After a steep climb, you will walk through hundred-year-old oaks and beeches before admiring the gorges seen from above and the village of La-Palud-sur-Verdon. You continue on the "Chemin du Baou" between cliffs and ravines to Rougon, a balcony overlooking the Gorges, an ideal place for bird-watching, especially vultures.

Day 6 :   From Point Sublime to the perched village of Trigance

Distance 1 : 8 Miles - 13 Km 
Elevation gain 1 : 650 Meters 

The hike makes you cross the Verdon River bed by an old Roman bridge. Once you have passed the left bank, you head towards the hamlet of Entreverges. When you arrive at the viewpoint of Rancoumas, nestled at 981 meters of altitude, you discover a natural ramp overhanging the Verdon, allowing you to fully enjoy a view of the Verdon which flows several hundred meters 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 walk on the botanical path which allows you to discover the flora of the Var highlands.

Day 7 :   From Trigance to the Jabron gorges

Distance 1 : 9 Miles - 15 Km 
Elevation gain 1 : 520 Meters 

For your last day of hiking, you will cross the gorges and the Jabron Valley with a picnic break at the edge of the green waters of the Verdon at the Carajuan bridge, gateway to the wonderful Verdon Gorge. You follow the river before starting a regular and pleasant climb to reach the Col du Pertuis de la Colle at 1151 meters: the ideal place for your picnic with a 360° view. You start the descent to Castellane through a forest. You will pick up your luggage at the hotel in Castellane. End of your trip in Castellane at the end of the day

Average / Day : Distance : 14.67 Km / 9.17 Miles - Elevation gain : 706.67 Meters

Click below to see hotels versions.


Day : 1

At the entrance of the Gorges du Verdon and at the foot of "Notre Dame du Roc", the hotel "Ma Petite Auberge" is located a few steps from the Verdon river and 5 km from the lake of Castillon. It offers a gastronomic restaurant, a garden and a terrace. Some rooms offer a view of the terrace and the village square. A continental breakfast is served every morning. You can have lunch and dinner in the garden, next to the hundred-year-old lime tree. Grocery stores are available within 1 km.


Day : 2, 3, 5

A family hotel, simple and rustic, ideally located close to the Blanc-Martel trail. You will appreciate the peace and quiet in the majestic setting of the Verdon gorges.


Day : 4

A family establishment located 700 meters from the village of La Palud sur Verdon, in the heart of the Verdon Natural Park and the geological reserve of Haute Provence. An exceptional setting with a magnificent view of the valley will make your stay an unforgettable experience.


Day : 6

The hotel "Le Vieil Amandier" is located in the small village of Trigance, in the heart of the regional natural park of Verdon. Some rooms have direct access to the hotel's garden. You can have your breakfast on the terrace overlooking the pool and the Jabron valley or in the main dining room. You will appreciate the spa and the wellness center including a sauna and a jacuzzi (with supplement).

Accessories


INCLUDED

Our roadbooks are complete packages of information that will help you to guide yourself through the itinerary that we have planned and laid out. We have invested significant time and incorporated the feedback of our customers over many years (since 1997!) to make our roadbooks even better. Our roadbooks include: color maps, highlighted routes, touristic information, orientation points to reach hotels, and easy to follow step by step directions (cue-sheets). Please note that for custom itineraries you will not have cue sheets. Only maps and GPS routes.


INCLUDED

Our Travelbooks are complete packages of information that will help you to guide yourself through the itinerary that we have planned and laid out. You will find information about the hotels, itinerary, regional informations...


INCLUDED

Roadbook for Discovery allows you to travel freely with all the information you need for your trip: Stages, points of interest, itineraries with interactive guidance, travel documents.

All in offline mode, you download your file before leaving, then you have all the information necessary for your trip. (Phone not provided).

Included

  • 6 nights in a double room 
  • 6 breakfast
  • 3 dinners (drinks not included)
  • 3 picnics
  • Day 3 : transfer at the end of the hike from La Maline to La Palud
  • Day 4 : transfer from La Palud to La Maline, at the beginning of the hike
  • Day 7 : transfer from Trigance to Castellane
  • Detailed ROAD BOOK, including details maps, touristic information, step by step itinerary and cue sheets
  • Guidance Application (phone not provided)
  • All luggage transfers
    Comprehensive trip literature
  • Technical and emergency support available at all times

What's not included

  • All lunches and dinners not mentioned in the itinerary
  • The dinners included are excluding drinks
  • Single supplement, if you are 3 or 5 people.
  • If you are interested in a triple or quadruple room, please contact us
  • Insurance 
  • Personal expenses

Informations & Recommendations

Arrival at Nice TGV train station where you will meet our guide who will transfer you to Castellane, in the heart of the Gorges du Verdon. Installation in your charming hotel, where you will have an orientation meeting upon arrival.

Tour rates

Contact our tour consultants for more information and an exact rate based upon your travel dates.

Price from* & per person Double occupancy Single supplement
(traveling with a group)
Solo traveler
(traveling alone)
Basic 1180 € 340 € 1935 €
*Rates vary according to hotel availability and specific start date. Please contact us for triple room rates

Accessories

Accessories
Hiking Roadbooks Included
Travelbook Included
Guidance Application Included

Services available

Services available
Cancelation insurance 6%

Bot scann is mandatory