What better way to spend a long weekend than a hike through one of Europe’s most beautiful river canyons, the Gorges du Verdon.
HIKING | BOOK A GUIDE | ACCOMMODATION | PRACTICAL INFO
Few places in Europe rival the scale and drama of the Gorges du Verdon. Carved by the turquoise Verdon River through towering limestone walls, this is one of France’s most spectacular hiking destinations.
Whether you’re tackling the iconic Sentier Blanc-Martel or exploring quieter trails above and within the canyon, hiking here means steep staircases, shaded oak woodland, exposed rock paths and constant views into the heart of the gorge. Griffon vultures circle overhead, climbers cling to vertical walls, and every turn reveals a new perspective.
This guide covers both the classic 3-day route and standalone day hikes, along with practical advice to help you plan your trip.
Hiking is just one of the many activities on offer – see our full Gorges du Verdon activity guide for climbing, canyoning, rafting and more.
Note: The Sentier de l’Imbut is currently closed (see update below).
When to Hike the Gorges du Verdon
The best time to hike the Gorges du Verdon is April to June and September to October, when temperatures are comfortable and the trails are less crowded.
The hiking season in the Gorges du Verdon typically runs from April to mid-November, depending on weather conditions.
Spring (15–25°C): Ideal hiking temperatures, vibrant turquoise river levels and quieter trails. One of the best times to hike longer routes like the Sentier Blanc-Martel.
Summer (30–35°C+): Very hot and busy. Start early, carry plenty of water and expect exposed sections to feel intense in the midday sun. The river is warmer for swimming.
Autumn (18–25°C): Cooler, calmer and often the most enjoyable time to visit. The light in the canyon is spectacular and the water is still warm enough for a dip.
The seasonal Sentier Blanc-Martel shuttle bus usually operates from April to late September. Outside this period, you’ll need to arrange a taxi transfer or use two vehicles.
3-Day Hiking Route
This 3-day hike is packed with stunning views and puts you right in the heart of the gorge. You can rearrange the three days to suit your trip, and the last day of the hike includes the famous Blanc-Martel trail, named after the two explorers and their team who discovered the Gorge in wooden canoes!
There aren’t many canyon walks as spectacular as this anywhere in Europe!
Day 1. Rougon to La Palud-sur-Verdon
Start Village of Rougon 1000 m. Finish La Palud-sur-Verdon 930 m.
Climb 600 m. Descent 480 m. Duration 5.5 to 6 hours.
The first day’s hike sets the scene – stunning scenery, peaceful and wild. From the tiny village of Rougon, the trail climbs steadily above the gorge, rounding a rocky promontory before revealing wide views across the limestone plateau. This stage stays high above the gorge, crossing the limestone plateau rather than descending into the canyon itself.
You pass near the hamlet of Les Chauvets, crossing open scrubland and rocky terrain typical of the Verdon’s high plateaux. The landscape here feels remote – a sweeping limestone plateau cut with ravines, sinkholes and glimpses of the turquoise river far below.
The path then continues toward the atmospheric ruins of Châteauneuf-lès-Moustiers, a long-abandoned medieval village perched dramatically beneath the cliffs. Just before reaching the ruins, look up to spot the 16th-century Chapelle Notre-Dame de Châteauneuf, nestled into a fortified cave beneath the cliffs.
From here, the trail climbs gently towards Col de la Croix before descending into La Palud-sur-Verdon, where you’ll spend the night.
Day 2. La Palud-sur-Verdon to La Maline
Start La Palud-sur-Verdon 930 m. Finish Chalet de la Maline 900 m.
Climb 650 m. Descent 700 m. Duration 5.5 h to 6 hours.
Day 2 climbs high above La Palud before traversing one of the most dramatic balcony trails in the Gorges du Verdon.
From the village, follow the GR4 towards the Ravin de Grinhan. The path descends briefly to meet the D952, where you join the Sentier du Bastidon. After a short stretch on tarmac, the trail quickly regains its wild character, contouring the cliffs high above the gorge.
This section is spectacular – a narrow ledge carved into vertical limestone, crossing dry stream beds and rocky gullies. The path remains well-marked but exposed in places, offering constant views down into the canyon.
As the trail climbs towards the Route des Crêtes, the panorama opens up even further. For a short stretch, the hiking path runs alongside the road before merging with it. From here, follow the Route des Crêtes for approximately 3 km to the Chalet du CAF de la Maline, perched dramatically above the gorge and a memorable place to spend the night.
Day 3. La Maline to Rougon
Start Chalet La Maline 900 m. Finish Parking Couloir Samson 610 m then Rougon 1000 m.
Climb 1000 m. Descent 650 m. Duration 6.5 to 7.5 hours.
The final day follows the legendary Sentier Blanc-Martel, taking you deep into the heart of the Gorges du Verdon.
From Chalet de la Maline, the trail begins with a long descent into the canyon before settling alongside the Verdon River. Dense Mediterranean vegetation clings to the limestone walls, and the scale of the gorge becomes fully apparent.
At the Brèche Imbert, a steep metal staircase — installed by the Touring Club de France — helps you negotiate the dramatic drop. Beyond this, the path traverses white limestone slabs beneath the striking Paroi Rouge before reaching the famous tunnels. A torch is essential here. The route then descends via metal steps into the beautiful Baume aux Pigeons, one of the most memorable sections of the hike.
In summer the heat can be intense, and the trail is busy with more than 30,000 hikers annually – but its popularity is well deserved.
The main Blanc-Martel route finishes at the Couloir Samson car park near Point Sublime. From here, it’s approximately one hour on a smaller trail back up to Rougon to complete the loop. If you prefer, this is also the point where many hikers end their walk and arrange transport back to La Palud.
Sentier Blanc-Martel (Standalone Day Hike)
The Sentier Blanc-Martel is the most iconic hike in the Gorges du Verdon, a 14–15km trek right through the heart of Europe’s deepest river canyon. Named after explorer Édouard-Alfred Martel, who helped map the gorge in the early 20th century, this trail follows ancient paths carved into limestone cliffs, descending to the turquoise Verdon River before climbing back out again.
Unlike many viewpoint walks along the rim, the Blanc-Martel takes you inside the canyon. You’ll pass beneath towering 700-metre walls, cross scree slopes and forested sections, descend long metal staircases, and walk through cool rock tunnels (bring a torch). The geology is dramatic and ever-changing – narrow passages open into vast amphitheatres of limestone, while griffon vultures circle high above.
The Sentier Blanc-Martel is a long but hugely rewarding day hike. With varied terrain, short exposed sections and over 600 steps, it demands reasonable fitness – but no technical climbing skills. If you want a single unforgettable day in the Gorges du Verdon, this is the trail to choose.
Hiking through ancient oak trees, you can spot tiny silhouettes of rock climbers in the crevices of the massive canyon walls, and griffon vultures soaring on thermals overhead. With some steep climbs and technical descents (although these are quite short), the route is varied, wild and beautiful.
Overview
- Distance: ~14–15 km
- Duration: 5–7 hours
- Difficulty: Moderate (long, with stairs and short exposed sections)
- Best direction: Chalet de la Maline → Point Sublime
The trail takes you deep into the heart of the canyon, beneath towering limestone walls, through oak forest and along dramatic river sections. Expect steep staircases, tunnels (bring a torch), narrow sections and unforgettable views.
Start & Finish Points
Most hikers begin at Chalet de la Maline (near La Palud-sur-Verdon) and finish at Point Sublime, hiking downstream.
This direction is recommended because:
- It avoids a steep uphill finish
- It feels more natural with the flow of the gorge
The hike is one-way – you do not return the same way.
Shuttle Bus Logistics
A seasonal shuttle bus runs between La Palud-sur-Verdon and Point Sublime, typically from April to late September.
Suggested trip organisation:
- Park in La Palud
- Take shuttle to Chalet de la Maline
- Hike to Point Sublime
- Shuttle back to La Palud
Outside shuttle season, you’ll need:
- A taxi transfer
- Or two vehicles (park one vehicle at Point Sublime (the finish), then drive back to Chalet de la Maline near La Palud-sur-Verdon to start the hike)
Remember to check the current shuttle operating dates before your trip.
Guided Option
If you’re unsure about logistics or want local insight into the geology and history of the gorge, a guided hike can simplify transport and provide a richer experience.
Sentier de l’Imbut
Current status (2026)
The iconic Sentier de l’Imbut has been officially closed to hikers since July 2022 due to unstable cliffs and persistent rock falls in key sections of the route. This closure, enforced by municipal decree and supported by local authorities for safety reasons, continues into 2026 with no confirmed reopening date or completed stabilisation works. While tourism groups have petitioned for a staged reopening and further geological study, authorities stress that the risk of rockfall cannot yet be reduced to acceptable levels, and the trail is expected to remain closed until any major safety work is undertaken and certified.
Sentier des Pêcheurs – An Easier Alternative
Start and Finish Saint-André-les-Alpes (Place Marcel Pasterolli).
Distance 5.5 km. Duration 1.5 hours.
If the Sentier Blanc-Martel feels too long or exposed, the Sentier des Pêcheurs (Fishermen’s Trail) offers a gentler option.
Starting the hike Saint-André-les-Alpes, this 5.5km out-and-back trail takes around 1.5 hours, and unlike the Blanc-Martel trail, it has minimal elevation gain and no ladders or steep staircases. The trail follows the lakeshore and passes through a protected natural area, with sections of wooden boardwalk and information boards explaining the local environment.
The first section is accessible to those with reduced mobility, and the route is well signposted. While it doesn’t descend deep into the canyon like the Blanc-Martel, it provides beautiful views across the lake and surrounding limestone cliffs – without the vertigo factor.
Tip: Between 12 and 2pm, grab a lunchtime ‘menu du jour’ at La Table de Marie restaurant either before or after your walk.
Book a Gorges du Verdon Hiking Trip
Our trusted partners offer guided day hikes and multi-day walking trips in the Gorges du Verdon, led by certified local guides who know the trails, the timing and the best viewpoints. Hiking with a local guide gets you deeper into the canyon, further off the beaten track, and it’s a lot more fun.
Guided Verdon Gorge Hike
The Blanc-Martel trail is one of the most celebrated day hikes in France – 15 km along the right bank of the Verdon, beneath 1,000 m limestone cliffs, with griffon vultures circling overhead. The trail is varied and physical, with good climbs, steep descents, ladders and a steel staircase carved into the rock. UIMLA-certified guide Fabrice runs this trip in spring and autumn when conditions are ideal, and can adapt the route to the easier Pêcheur trail if you’d prefer to skip the exposed sections.
Book a guided hiking trip in partnership with Explore-Share.
Accommodation
Here’s a few recommendations for places to stay near the walking trails in the Gorges du Verdon. La Palud-sur-Verdon, Rougon, Moustiers-Sainte-Marie and Trigance are all ideally located with easy access to the hiking trails.
Hotel des Gorges
Hotel Le Provence
A la Ferme de Bourras
Château de Trigance
Les Restanques
Maison Castellane
Practical information
Maps
We have found the IGN Institut Géographique National tourism maps to be the best for exploring the area:
Transport
Regional bus tickets and routes: ZOU! Région Sun website
Summer shuttle buses (Navettes) – La Maline to Castellane and Point Sublime, +33 (0)4 92 34 22 90
Taxi Verdon, 04120 La Palud-sur-Verdon, +33 (0)6 68 18 13 13
Tourist Offices
La Palud sur Verdon
Mairie – Le Château
04120 La Palud sur Verdon
France
Website: www.lapalud-verdontourisme.com
Email: mairielapaludsurverdon@wanadoo.fr
Tel: +33 (0)4 92 77 32 02
Castellane
04120 CASTELLANE
France
Website: www.castellane-verdontourisme.com
Tel: +33 (0)4 92 83 61 14
What to Pack
Conditions inside the Gorges du Verdon can be hot, exposed and remote. There are no shops or facilities once you begin the main canyon hikes.
Make sure you pack:
- Minimum 2 litres of water per person (more in summer)
- Proper hiking shoes with good grip
- Sun protection (hat, sunscreen, sunglasses)
- Lightweight breathable layers
- Torch or headlamp (for Blanc-Martel tunnels)
- Snacks or packed lunch
Note that even in spring and autumn, the sun inside the canyon can feel intense.
How Difficult is the Hiking?
The difficulty varies depending on the trail.
Sentier Blanc-Martel
The Blanc-Martel trail is not technically difficult, but it is long and physically demanding.
It includes:
- Over 600 metal steps
- Uneven, rocky terrain
- Sections with cables or railings
- Narrow ledges (not suitable for severe vertigo)
Reasonable fitness is required. Most hikers complete it in 5–7 hours.
Easier Alternatives
Shorter trails such as the Sentier des Pêcheurs offer gentler terrain and minimal elevation gain, making them suitable for families or those seeking a less exposed experience.
Be aware that in summer temperatures inside the canyon can exceed 30–35°C. Start early and avoid midday heat where possible. Always carry more water than you think you need.
Getting to the Gorges du Verdon Without a Car
It’s possible to visit the Gorges du Verdon using public transport, but services are limited and often seasonal. Plan carefully.
From Paris
- TGV train to Marseille, Aix-en-Provence, or Les Arcs–Draguignan
- Regional bus toward Castellane or La Palud-sur-Verdon
From Castellane, you may need a local bus or taxi to reach La Palud or Point Sublime.
Regional Buses
Local services are operated by the ZOU! Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur network.
- Some routes run June–September only
- Frequency can be as low as 1–2 buses per day
- Timetables change yearly
- Tickets are usually bought from the driver
Always check official timetables shortly before travel.
Sentier Blanc-Martel Shuttle
A seasonal shuttle connects La Palud-sur-Verdon and Point Sublime, typically April to late September. Outside this period, you’ll need a taxi or you’ll need to leave a car at the end of the trail.
Do You Need a Car?
A car’s not essential, but it makes logistics much easier, especially outside summer. If arriving car-free, contact your accommodation in advance for local transport advice.
Please leave a comment below if you need specific advice for your hiking trip to the Gorges du Verdon, or if you have any recommendations to help us improve this page. Bonnes vacances !
Thanks a lot for this very helpful website! We are traveling with public transport, coming from Paris and staying the first night in La Palud. Google maps shows a connection via Marseille by bus (67 to Pre de Loire and then 450 to Point Sublime). I can’t find any information on these buses on other websites. is this connection possible and can we buy tickets in advance?
Thanks for your kind words!
Public transport to the Gorges du Verdon is possible, but it’s limited and highly seasonal, so Google Maps can sometimes show routes that don’t actually operate year-round.
The bus connections you mention (via Marseille with route 67 and 450) are regional services operated by the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur network, but they typically run seasonally and with reduced frequency outside summer.
To travel from Paris to La Palud-sur-Verdon using public transport, the most reliable route is:
For up-to-date information, I recommend checking the official ZOU! Région Sud regional transport website.
Hello!
Thank you for all this great information! We will travel to France first week of March. Is it possible/safe to hike the trails that time? Are there buses in March?
Hi KK, thanks for your message!
Yes, you can hike the trails in March and you are unlikely to get any snow at that time of year. It may rain though, so you need to be prepared for some wet weather. The trails may be a bit slippery in the wet so make sure you wear good hiking shoes/boots.
The bus (Navette des Gorges du Verdon) only starts operating on the 30 March, so if you need transport to and from the trail, you will need to organise a taxi (Taxi Verdon +33 (0)6 68 18 13 13).
I hope that helps, best of luck planning your trip!
Matt
Hi Matt –
What a great resource! My husband and I will be visiting France in April and would love to include some hiking and possible bike riding in Gorges du Verdon if possible. We will be in Marseille on a Thursday and would like to return to either Aix-en-Provence or Avignon by Saturday afternoon. We are in excellent shape, runners, avid hikers, though if all goes well I will be 6 months pregnant. I’m wondering which hiking path you recommend in order to see the canyon and the beautiful water, for a full day of hiking returning to a village at night. Maybe rent bicycles Thursday afternoon and hike all day Friday? Any information you can provide is appreciated!
Thank you-
Sarah
Hi Sarah, thanks for your message!
I would recommend you stay in La Palud-sur-Verdon and hike the Blanc-Martel trail. The route from Chalet de la Maline is considered to be less strenuous than the other way. The buses should be running in April, so you can park your car at Point Sublime and catch the bus to Chalet de la Maline. The hike is 14 km long and you should allow 7 hours. From Chalet de la Maline you hike down to the river where you can stop for a picnic and you finish with a steep trek back up to Point Sublime.
I hope that helps, best of luck planning the trip!
Matt
Hello,
My friend and I would like to do the 3 day hike and stay do do some of the activities listed. We will arrive November 4th and stay until the 12th. What activities are still available at this time? We are also wondering the best/ cheapest place to sleep both during the hike and for the rest of our stay?
My friend is flying from Birmingham, is Nice the best airport to land at?
I will be leaving g from Moulins, what train direction would you suggest?
Thank you for your time!!
Hi Elyse, thanks for your message!
In November, the hiking trails will be open, but many of the activity providers will be closed. Your best bet will be climbing or via ferrata. Try contacting Lionel and Eric at the Bureau des Guides in Castellane. Here’s a link: https://www.ultimatefrance.com/directory/listing/bureau-des-guides-de-canyon
Accommodation options are thin on the ground in November as well. Try Les Framboiseilles in Castellane, a farmstay with shared kitchen facilities for about 30 euros per person per night. Here’s a link: https://www.ultimatefrance.com/go/hotels-les-framboiseilles
Nice or Marseille airports are both good for the Gorges du Verdon. From Nice, you can take the Digne-les-Bains train and get off at Saint-André-les-Alpes. From Marseille, there’s a bus direct to Castellane.
I hope that gives you what you need. Have a great trip!
Matt
Hi,
We are planning a trip to the Verdon from the 31st of October until the 2nd of November. We probably will try to do the last walk from La Maline to Rougon that has been explained at https://www.ultimatefrance.com/hiking/south-france/gorges-du-verdon But I have a few questions:
– is it still possible to do that walk at the beginning of November? And what if it rained the days before: is the trail still accessible?
– how ‘dangerous’ is the trail? Narrow paths with cliffs?
– I see that the duration is between 6.5 and 7.5h: is that wiithout stops? Just to be sure that we are back before dark (as it’s dark around 17h in that week I think)
Thanks in advance for your information!
Hi Marjolijn, thanks for your message!
The trail is open year round. It does have steep sections, but it’s not dangerous. You hike from the road, down the canyon to the river and back up to the road. There are steps built into the trail and the steepest sections are equipped with handrails. It’s still accessible in wet weather.
Yes, 6.5 hours is walking at a good pace without stops. You should probably allow 7.5 to 8 hours with stops.
Hope that helps, have a great trip,
Matt
Hello Matt,
Thanks for all he information on here. Myself and a couple of friends are thinking of doing this 3 day hike at the end of September but our schedule is a bit tight. We won’t actually arrive in Rougon until about 4pm on the first day and we’d only have 2 days after that. Can you suggest a way we can get to La Palud that first evening, taking in some of the first stage before sunset? I’m thinking we’d have about 3 hours.
Thanks in advance,
Jake
Hi Jake, thanks for your message!
Given your schedule, I would be tempted to switch the days round a little bit. You could stay in Castellane on your first night and hike La Maline to Rougon on your first full day and Rougon to La Palud on day 2. Then, on your first afternoon, you could do a hike around Castellane, or organise an activity such as a via cordata, an aqua rando or a rafting trip.
Hope that helps, have a great trip!
Matt
Fantastic! Thanks very much Matt.
You’re very welcome Jake, good luck with the trip planning!
Hi Matt,
My boyfriend and I are planning to go to this region in September and would like to do the three day hikes after each other.
Before planning the trip we have a few questions:
We are wondering what level of fitness is needed for this 3 day hike and is there some climbing involved?
Is there a detailed map available with the routes and start- and endpoints?
How much time in advance do we need to book accommodation and is it easy to find accommodation near the hiking paths?
Thanks in advance,
Anneloes
Hi Anneloes, thanks for your message!
You’ll average 6 hours of walking per day and although there isn’t the sustained altitude gain that you would get in the Alps, there are some steep ascents. An example is the hike up from the river to Point Sublime on the third day. There’s no actual climbing involved, but some of the steeper paths have hand rails to help you.
The best maps are the Cartes IGN – 1 / 60,000 Parc naturel régional du Verdon and 1 / 25,000 Gorges du Verdon 3442 OT: http://amzn.to/2uV7iN6
September is great time to visit the Gorges du Verdon – the walking trails are a lot quieter, the water’s still nice and warm for swimming and it’s easier to find accommodation. I would still recommend you book at least 2 weeks in advance though. For accommodation near the hiking trails in this article, try La Palud sur Verdon, Rougon and Castellane.
Hope that helps, have a great trip!
Matt
Bonjour!
Firstly, I just wanted to say a huge thank you for providing all this incredible information which has gotten me so excited about travelling to the Gorges du Verdon! My family and I are going to be travelling here next week and staying at a camping in Castellane called Camping les Sirenes for 4 days. In that time I really want to hike around the area and do some other activities as well such canyoning or rafting 🙂 I really love the routes you explained above and was wondering whether it is possible to go from and return back to our camping before and after starting the hike with public transport or even with our car? Otherwise could you suggest what would be best for us to do? Also, like I mentioned, I really want to do some adventurous activities but after researching a little I found some of them quite expensive and was wondering if you could suggest something more budget friendly but still quite adventurous and fun. Also is it worth to book activities in advance or could I do that when I get there. Thanks again for helping out and looking forward to your reply 🙂
Cordialement,
Anindita
Hi Anindita, thanks for your message! You’re very welcome for the info, that’s what we’re here for!
There’s a bus – Autocars Delaye +33 (0)4 92 34 22 90 (I know, not a great name for a bus service!) which runs between Castellane Le Chalet La Maline via Point Sublime and La Palud sur Verdon. To get back from Point Sublime to Castellane, you would need to organise a taxi. You can try Taxi Verdon in La Palud +33 (0)6 68 18 13 13.
In terms of a budget friendly activity, you could try aqua trekking. It’s like a fun version of canyoning where you make your way down the river with a guide, jumping off rocks and swimming. Here’s a couple of companies to try:
https://www.ultimatefrance.com/directory/listing/ride-the-verdon-canyoning-kayaking-castellane
https://www.ultimatefrance.com/directory/listing/yeti-rafting-canyoning-gorges-du-verdon
Another idea is stand up paddle boarding on the Lac de Castillon (just north of Castellane). You can catch the shuttle bus to St-André-les-Alpes. Aqua Bond Rafting can get you kitted out with paddle boards: https://www.ultimatefrance.com/directory/listing/aqua-bond-rafting-canoeing-canyoning-sup-verdon
You should try to book the aqua trekking at least a couple of days in advance, but you should be able to just turn up for the SUP on the lake.
Hope that helps, have a great trip!
Matt
Hi Matt,
Great article looks lovely around there. Which is the reason my girlfriend and I have just booked to go there in October… We are staying for 3 nights at the A la Ferme de Bourras – La Palud. We love our hiking and the 3 stage walk looks great but we have booked all 3 nights in La Palud. What would you recommend we do hiking wise, do you know if there are any buses back at that time of year, if we were to do some of the legs and then return home via bus at the end. We are keen walkers and can get through some good miles in a day. Thanks in advance 🙂
Hi Alex, thanks for your message! Great to hear you have 3 nights in the Verdon – you’re in for a treat.
I think you’re going to struggle with buses in October. You may find a regional bus to take you to Moustiers, but to get to and from your hikes I think you’re going to need to organise a taxi. You can try Taxi Verdon in La Palud +33 (0)6 68 18 13 13. Try and give them some notice to save you from hanging around waiting for too long.
Here’s some ideas for walks:
If you can get to Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, you could follow the GR4 from there back to La Palud. And the following day continue to La Maline (day 2 of the itinerary on this page).
The 15 km Chemin du Bastidon loops out from La Palud to the Gorges and back via the GR4.
From Hôtel du Grand Canyon du Verdon, follow the Sentier de l’imbut and back up to the road via the sentier Vidal. This is one of the most spectacular and technical walks in the Verdon.
From Rougon (an 8 km walk from La Palud), you could walk a section of the GR49 to Entreverges and loop back round to Rougon via Trigance.
These would give you a few good day’s of walking. The tourist office in La Palud should be able to provide maps.
Hope that helps, best of luck planning your trip!
Matt
Hi, this trip sounds amazing.
I am planning a one day trip without guide. And we are arriving from Nice. Where Would you reccomend us to Take the best hike?
Best wishes, Anne Helene
Hi Anne, thanks for your message!
I would recommend you stay in Castellane and do the final day of this walk – La Maline to Rougon. It’s a full day’s walk and probably the most spectacular and varied section. You can take a packed lunch with you and picnic by the river before you climb up to Point Sublime.
Hope that helps, have a great trip!
Matt
Hello Matt,
Thank you so much for this article.
My husband and I are planning a 1 or 2 days trip to Gorges du Verdon.
We are in good shape and would like to hike in a scenic route for max. 4 hours.
Do you have any recomendetion on which route should we choose?
I prefer a hike that combines the beautiful views the canyon has to offer, nice places to have a picnic and a route which takes aprox. 4 hours while traveling slowley and peacfully.
Thank you in advance,
Tamar
Hi Tamar, thank you for your message !
I would have liked to suggest that you do the Sentier des Pecheurs, a 3.5 hour loop from Col de l’Olivier near La Palud-sur-Verdon, but unfortunately, unless the situation has changed in the last few weeks, access is closed due to a dispute with local land owners. It may be worth checking at the tourist office as this hike would tick all your boxes.
The next best alternative is probably a there-and-back walk, of whatever length you want, along the Sentier Blanc Martel. Start from the Chalet de La Maline and hike down to the river for a picnic and then walk back up in the afternoon.
Another option is the Sentier du Lézard from Point Sublime. You can get a discovery brochure from the tourist office in Castellane or La Palud and choose from a number of loops up to 4 hours.
I hope that gives you a few ideas. Have a great trip!
Matt
Hi!
Thanks for a great article. Me and my boyfriend are planning a hike here next week and unfortunately we only got two days. Do you have any recommendations for a nice trail with one night stay somewhere? It might be nice to rent a canoe for some hours one of the days.
Thank you!
Hi Alice, thanks for your message!
I would recommend Rougon to La Palud on day one and La Palud to Castellane on day two. The second day’s trek will take about 5 hours, and if you start early you’ll have enough time to go for a canoe-raft down the Verdon rapids from Castellane in the aftenoon. Ride The Verdon organise super fun canoe trips: https://www.ultimatefrance.com/directory/listing/ride-the-verdon-canyoning-kayaking-castellane
Hope that helps, have a great trip!
Matt
Hi Matt,
Are there any free or cheap camping spots along the way?
Cheers,
Cam
Hi Cam,
Your best bet will be the Camping Municipal le Grand Canyon in La Palud sur Verdon. It’s 3 euros for a tent plus 4 euros per person. It’s right on the hiking trail on Route de Castellane.
http://www.camping.lapaludsurverdon.com/
Hope that helps, have a great trip!
Matt
Hi Matt,
Thank you for this great article! I’m planning a 4 day hike along these trails however I don’t have a car. Can you give me some suggestions on how to plan the trip without a car? I’m going to arrive in Nice ~9:30am next Tuesday, and according to the timetable of LER 31 I can be in Castellane no sooner than 16:30. Are there other options to get there? Is it doable to walk from Castellane to Rougon in a day? Or can I take a taxi?
Thank you so much in advance!
Hi Bea, thanks for your message!
Unfortunately, you’re right about the bus. It’s going to be your best option. You’ll miss the earlier bus, so you’ll have to get the 14:10 which arrives in Castellane at 16:30. The only other thing you could try is a car share through a site like blablacar.fr, but unless you’re lucky it can be quite hard to find a ride to smaller towns like Castellane.
If you take a bus from Castellane to La Maline, you can walk from there to Rougon in a day. There should be a bus service during the Easter holidays from Castellane to Le Chalet de La Maline and the start of the walk. I can’t find an up to date timetable on line, so you’ll have to give them a call to check times – Autocars Delaye +33 (0)4 92 34 22 90. From Point Sublime to Rougon it’s just a further 1.5 km walk.
Hope that helps, have a great trip!
Matt
Hello,
Thank you for the article, it really gave me useful information about the hikes.
I am going to travel to France with my husband in May 2017. We love hiking and having heard good reviews about the hikes near the gorge, we definitely want to dedicate 1 day to it.
I believe the article mentions about the three-day hike, is it possible to just do one and return to the place we are staying? If I just want to do Rougon to La Palud-sur-Verdon hike, is there any way of commute to go back to Rougon where our car will be parked? probably?
If you want to recommend one of the hike, which one it will be? I still have a lot of research to do, search for the places to stay, but just need to confirm if 1 day hike is possible from the ones you mentioned. I also read about the Martel trail, its the third of the day hike mentioned. For that, what are my best options to stay?
I also saw some pictures of the people(on the hike/trail)overlooking the gorge from the top, not sure which trail/hike it is?!
Thank you in advance 🙂
Hi Aditi, thanks for your message!
If you can only do one of the days I would recommend day 3 – La Maline to the Point Sublime (Sentier Blanc Martel). It’s the classic Gorges du Verdon walk and you hike some of the most dramatic sections of the gorge. May is a great time to do it as it’s not too hot and it’s not too busy either. Probably the best place to stay would be Castellane.
There’s a bus – Autocars Delaye +33 (0)4 92 34 22 90 (I know, not a great name for a bus service!) at the weekends and bank holidays in May between Castellane and La Maline. To get back from Point Sublime to Castellane, you would need to organise a taxi. You can try Taxi Verdon in La Palud +33 (0)6 68 18 13 13.
If you wanted to stay in Rougon, you could walk a section of the GR49 to Entreverges and loop back round to Rougon via Trigance. Or, stay at the Chateau in Trigance https://www.ultimatefrance.com/go/hotels-chateau-de-trigance and do the loop the other way around. It’s a good day’s walking (about 20 km). You could ask at the tourist office in La Palud or Castellane for maps.
Hope that helps, best of luck planning your trip!
Matt
HI Matt,
Thank you so much for your detailed reply. Few questions –
Is the trail safe?
Is the trail marked?
We being non French speakers, want to make sure before deciding to go for the trail!
Thank you in advance 🙂
Hi Aditi,
The Sentier Blanc Martel trail is moderately technical and the climb up to Point Sublime from the river is long and steep. It is well marked and because you follow the river, navigation is straighforward. There are some tunnels and it is recommended that you have a torch (flashlight) with you for those sections.
Hope that helps you decide, good luck!
Matt
Hi Aditi, I myself is an Indian and looking for 3 days hike to “Gorges du Verdon”. When are you planning exactly? If out schedule matches, I may join you guys. Please share the details with me once you are done with the trek. It will be really helpful. Thanks in advance.
hello,
is there short hiking trails (2-3 hours) near Les Salles-sur-Verdon suitble for a family ?
Hi Benny, thanks for your message!
Yes, there’s lots of shorter walks suitable for the family. Here’s a couple of ideas:
1. The Véris loop in Bauduen – 7.5 km and 2.5 to 3 hours.
2. The Belvédère de Tréguier trail in Moustiers-Sainte-Marie – 4.2 km and 1.5 to 2 hours.
3. Chateau Chiron loop from Saint-Laurent-du-Verdon – 7 km and 2.5 hours
And of course, there’s nothing stopping you doing shorter sections of the famous walks. For example you could walk a section of the Sentier Martel, have a picnic lunch and then retrace your steps. Walking the other way, the views are entirely different. Also, the tourist office on Place Sainte-Anne in Salles-sur-Verdon is a great source of information with maps and advice specific to your needs.
Hope that helps, have a great trip!
Matt
hi Matt,
we decide to do part of the Sentier Martel trail,
if we want to do a 1.5/2 hours track, is it recommended to start at Chalet Maline or Couloir Samson? were to park the car? how tough is the walking?
thanks,
Hi Benny, great to hear your plans are taking shape.
Yes, starting your hike in La Maline is probably best as you’ll avoid the really steep climb/descent to/from Point Sublime. There’s parking along the road just up from Chalet La Maline. The walking is moderately technical and the walk down from La Maline to the bottom of the canyon is long and steep. It may be that walking down to the river, having a picnic on the beach and then walking back up again will be about right for the family.
Hope that helps,
Matt
Hi Matt,
thumbs up! just reading your replies to everyone in the comment section here really helped us get an idea of how to spend the upcoming 4 days in Verdon Gorge area, so first of all thanks for that! Now we’re trying to figure out accommodation and while there’s plenty of offers on AirBnB we’re not quite sure which would be the best location in order to not have to drive to trail entries for too long (driving in from Montpellier).. i know this depends on the hikes we’re gonna end up doing but you seem to know the area quite well and maybe you have a suggestions as of where to best choose our “base camp”? 🙂 thanks in advance! Aline
Hi Aline, thanks for your message!
La Palud-sur-Verdon is a good central location to base yourself for hiking. Aiguines is a lovely village and another good option with its hilltop location between the lake and the gorge. There’s easy access to Les Cavaliers which is an access point to the Sentier Martel.
Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, despite being on the GR4, is a little bit further away from the walking trails in the gorge itself, but it’s the largest town and the first place you’ll reach when driving from Montpellier. It’s only a 30 minute drive from here to La Palud-sur-Verdon and L’Imbut.
Hopefully, these options will help you narrow down where to stay. Have a great trip!
Matt
thanks! we ended up staying in régusse which was totally fine considering we were planning on taking the car to east and west points of interest of the verdon area. too bad we didn’t find any kajak/canoe rental that was open this time of the year but we did in deed complete a few sunny, satisfying day hikes according to your desciptions. Cheers! Aline
That’s great to hear Aline! Glad you had a good time.
Enjoy the rest of your trip!
Matt
Hi Matt. Do many people walk this route during January? Are there any similar routes that are accessible during that time of the year?
Hi Callum, thanks for your message!
You won’t see many people, but you can certainly walk the route during January. Although La Palud-sur-Verdon is nearly 1000 m in altitude, as you’re so far south it’s quite rare for there to be any significant snowfall.
You could look at doing the Sentier de l’Imbut and Sentier Vidal walk. Although as the trail is quite steep and technical, you may not want to do it if it was icy.
From Castellane there’s a great 4 hour hike round the Barre de la Sapée and the Rocher du Castel de Ruel from the Col des Lèques with superb views over the Verdon.
From Esparron de Verdon there’s a number of nice 3-4 hour hikes including the Sentier de l’Adri and the Esparron de Verdon – St Martin de Brômes circuit.
Further north, there number of great walks around Saint-André les Alpes, and further north again there’s some good walking around La Barre des Dourbes. You can stay at the gite in Tartonne and if there’s snow on the ground, you can borrow snowshoes from the gite.
I hope that helps. Best of luck planning your trip!
Matt
Thanks Matt! That helps enormously!
You’re very welcome Callum!
Hi Matt! Thanks for the great website and all the info!
We are planning a 3 day hiking trip through the Gorges du Verdon – are there any day trips you can recommend- so that we can return to our starting point and take the car back to our hotel every night?
thank you very much!
Best
Paul
Hi Paul,
A great day hike in the canyon is to string together Sentier de l’Imbut and Sentier Vidal. It’s quite technical walking, but stunningly beautiful. Start at the Hotel du Grand Canon du Verdon and hike the Imbut trail all the way to the point where the canyon narrows. The trail leaves the river here and crosses the Vidal trail. You take Vidal at this point and hike back up the canyon to the road. Cross the road and you’ll see a trail through the forest that will take you back to the start.
There’s another nice half-day hike called Sentier des Pêcheurs. It starts at Colle de l’Olivier on the road between Moustiers-Sainte-Marie and La Palud-sur-Verdon. The 3 hour loop will take you through some beautifully varied scenery.
The Martel trail is a full day hike and is probably the most popular walk in the Gorges du Verdon. As it’s a one way route, most people park their car at Point Sublime, the end of the trail, and take the shuttle bus or taxi to Chalet de la Maline, the start of the trail. It’s a beautiful hike, but at the same time it’s a path well trodden, so you may feel that you miss out on that wilderness experience with this one.
There’s also some great walking around Saint André les Alpes and from the Gite des Robines in the village of Tartonne.
I hope that gives you a few ideas. Best of luck planning your trip!
Matt
Will it still be open to hike in late November? We are planning a trip around the 21st?
Hi Debra, thanks for your message!
Yes, absolutely, the trails remain open year round. You’ll just need to check with regards to accommodation – the campsites and some smaller hotels will be closed.
With regards to getting around, the Route des Crêtes in La Palud sur Verdon is closed from the 13 November, but the road to La Maline and Bélvédère de la Carelle remain open throughout the year.
A little further north, the Gite des Robines in the village of Tartonne is located at the start of a number of great walks around a beautiful mountain escarpment called La Barre des Dourbes. If there’s snow on the ground, you can borrow snowshoes from the Gite.
Hope that helps, have a great trip!
Matt
Matt,
Helps a lot!
Merci Beaucoup!
Deb
You’re very welcome Deb, best of luck organising the trip!
Hello we would like to hike the same route. Do we need a map? And if so, where can we buy one?
Hi David, thanks for your message!
Yes, although the trails are waymarked, it’s a good idea to have a map. You can pick up free maps in the tourist offices, or you can purchase IGN maps online or from local sports shops and supermarkets.
You’ll need: 1 / 60,000 Parc naturel régional du Verdon and 1 / 25,000 Gorges du Verdon
Hope that helps, have a great trip,
Matt
Is the end of October a good time to hike in Gorges Du Verdon?
Hi Yifat, thanks for your message!
Yes, October is perfect – the crowds have gone, the weather is cooler and the water is still warm enough to swim. The only thing is that some campsites and activity providers close at the end of September, but hotels like the Auberge des Salles will be open. You’ll just need to check when booking your trip.
Hope that helps,
Matt
this was a very interested read! How would i be able to book a camping site for april?
Hi Ben, thanks for your message!
Camping Indigo Gorges du Verdon near Castellane is open from 14 April, here’s a link: https://www.ultimatefrance.com/directory/listing/camping-indigo-gorges-du-verdon
Hope that helps, have a great trip!
Matt