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
Region : Provence
Duration : 7 Days / 6 Nights
Level :
Type : On the way
Category : Hiking
Trip : Self-guided
Activity : Walking
Dates : Available from April 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.
Accommodation : Ma petite auberge - "Castellane"
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.
Accommodation : Auberge Point sublime - "ROUGON"
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.
Accommodation : Auberge Point sublime - "ROUGON"
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.
Accommodation : Hotel Panoramic - "La Palud-sur-Verdon"
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.
Accommodation : Auberge Point sublime - "ROUGON"
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.
Accommodation : Hotel Vieil Amandier - "TRIGANCE"
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
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 € |
Accessories
| Accessories | |
| Hiking Roadbooks | Included |
| Travelbook | Included |
| Guidance Application | Included |
Services available
| Services available | |
| Cancelation insurance | 6% |
Casual : Beginners and occasional cyclists. Easiest tours we provide. Typically flatter terrain, no notable hills or anything of a steep gradient.
Hobby : Weekend riders. People with some cycling experience, rolling countryside, possible short climbs.
Active : Cyclists with experience on longer rides. Hilly terrain with reasonable amount of climbs and difficulty
Pro : Avid cyclists, ride every week and love long and challenging rides. Dream on riding the Tour de France cols.
Comparison chart : (15km/hrs)
| Average dist (miles) | Average dist (km) | Elevation max/day (m) | Average hours | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Casual |
< 28 | < 45 | < 300m | 3-4 |
| Hobby |
18 - 35 | 30 - 55 | 300-550m | 3-5 |
| Active |
30 - 60 | 50 - 100 | 550-1000m | 4-6 |
| Pro |
> 60 | > 100 | > 1000m | > 5 |
Some of our tours can be in 2 different level, we have itinerary for both versions
Casual : Beginners and occasional hikers. Typically flatter terrain with just rolling hills.
Hobby : Weekend hikers. People with some experience hiking around trails.
Active : Hikers with experience on longer hikes. Hilly terrain with some steep gradients.
Pro : Randonneurs avides, randonnée chaque semaine et adore les longues et difficiles randonnées.
Comparison chart : (4km/hrs)
| Average dist (miles) | Average dist (km) | Elevation max/day (m) | Average hours | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Casual |
< 6 | < 10 | < 150m | 2.5 |
| Hobby |
6 - 9 | 10 - 15 | 150-300m | 25-375 |
| Active |
9 - 11 | 11 - 18 | 300-450m | 3.75 - 4.5 |
| Pro |
> 11 | > 18 | > 450m | 4.5-6 |
Some of our tours can be in 2 different level, we have itinerary for both versions