Rafting & Kayaking on the Verdon
Whitewater rafting and kayaking descents on the Verdon river
The Verdon is a 166 km river in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence and Var departments of south-eastern France. It’s the southernmost river system in the French Alps and as a result snow melts early making May and June ideal months for paddling.
In July and August, twice-weekly dam releases feed the Verdon Grand Canyon, allowing kayakers to paddle the legendary class 5 descent from Pont de Carejuan to Lac-de-Saine-Croix.
From Castellane to Point Sublime more leisurely class 2-3 rapids off a fun rafting trip for groups and families. Or leave the raft guide behind and ramp up the excitement with two-person inflatable canoes. A good soaking is guaranteed!
Book a Rafting, Kayaking or Hot Dogging Trip on the Verdon
Our rafting and kayaking partners in the Verdon employ experienced guides who are all fully qualified so you can have fun and stay safe. Enjoy a rafting trip with friends and family, ramp up the fun with inflatable kayaks, or embark on the tandem kayak adventure of a lifetime through the Verdon Grand Canyon.
Verdon river rafting and kayaking put-ins
© pottyplace.com
Kayaking the Upper Verdon – Allos to Colmars
The upper Verdon is naturally fed from snowmelt draining the southern slopes of the Col d’Allos. It’s a fast and technical class III to IV descent with a blind cataract that is class V at certain levels. A series of narrow drops leads into a natural slalom course quickly followed by a good sized hole. It’s generally runable from April to July. Portage required around fallen trees. Put-in at the chairlift carpark in Allos. Take out river right at Pont de la Tompine in Colmars.
Class: III, IV(V). Gradient: 25 m/km. Flow: 7 m³/s.
Paddling time: 1-2 hours. Distance: 10 km. Best months: April to June.
© verdontourisme.com
Kayaking the Upper Verdon – Colmars to Pont Clos
You still have a great feeling of being in the high mountains in this section of river, but the rapids are more straightforward than higher up. The first 6 kilometres are pretty solid class III, after that it’s a mellow and very pleasant 7 or so kilometres to Pont Clos. Put-in at Pont de la Tompine in Colmars. Take out at Pont Clos, which is about 3 km downstream of where the D52 crosses the river.
Class: III. Gradient: 14 m/km. Flow: 10 m³/s.
Paddling time: 2-3 hours. Distance: 15 km. Best months: April to June.
© basesportnature.com
Rafting & Kayaking the Upper Verdon – Pont Clos to St-André
This is where the Upper Verdon commercial rafting trips start. The river narrows through the Fontgaillarde Gorges and waves bouncing off the canyon walls generate some nice class 3+ whitewater. After the gorge, the river widens and splits through gravel beds. Put-in at Pont Clos, 3 km downstream of the hamlet of Thorame-Haute. Take out at Pont de Méoulles in Saint-André-les-Alpes. Commercial trips tend to take out earlier at Pont d’Allons.
Class: III(IV). Gradient: 8 m/km. Flow: 10 m³/s.
Paddling time: 2-3 hours. Distance: 18 km. Best months: April to June.
© basesportnature.com
Rafting & Kayaking – Castellane to Pont de Carejuan
Paddling this section gives you a glimpse of what to expect through the Grand Canyon itself – beautiful turquoise water winding through huge boulders and the precipitous canyon walls looming in the distance. Water levels in the summer months are controlled by the dam above Castellane and twice-weekly releases (on Tuesdays and Fridays) provide the volume for a fun descent through friendly class 2-3 rapids, and play waves to keep playboaters entertained.
Class: II, III(IV). Gradient: 7 m/km. Flow: 18 m³/s.
Paddling time: 2-3 hours. Distance: 15 km. Best months: April to June.
© Aqua Bond Rafting
Rafting & Kayaking – Le P’tit Canyon
This 5 km section of river from Pont de Soleils to Point Sublime could be included in a Verdon Grand Canyon run, but despite feeling like you’re in the canyon proper, it’s a much more accessible piece of water and deserves a separate mention. Easy paddling from the put-in brings you to a rapid called ‘La Dégoulinante’ followed by a series of class 3 rapids, boulder shoots, play waves and a huge boulder called Le Solitaire that marks the take-out.
Class: III(IV). Gradient: 7 m/km. Flow: 18 m³/s.
Paddling time: 1 hour. Distance: 5 km. Best months: April to June.
© Ride The Verdon
Kayaking – Verdon Grand Canyon | Go >
The Verdon Grand Canyon is one of Europe’s legendary class 5 descents. Sheer rock walls on both sides and no way in or out except by river make this a challenging and adventurous run. It can be dangerous too – it’s not easy to scout from the river and being a limestone gorge there are many hidden boulder shoots, undercuts, siphons and long class 4 sections. Needless to say, it’s a good idea to have someone on your team who knows the river well.
Class: IV, V. Gradient: 7 m/km. Flow: 18 m³/s.
Paddling time: 8 hours. Distance: 25 km. Best months: June to September.
Please leave a comment below if you need specific advice for your rafting and kayaking trip to the Verdon, or if you have any recommendations to help us improve this article. Happy holidays!
