Verdon Gorge Hike

Introduction
Provence France
Join this sensational 7-day self-guided walking holiday that explores Europe’s most beautiful and spectacular river canyon: the Verdon Gorge, located between Provence and the Alps.

The tour starts and finishes in the quaint medieval village of Castellane, nestled in Alpine foothils of Haute Provence. The most impressive part of the trail is the Blanc-Martel trail, including a series of steps, tunnels, ladders and bridges allowing access to much of the length of the gorge (23 km in total). You will enjoy the dramatic landscapes composed of high jagged mountais, limestone cliffs, emerald-green rivers winding along the bottom and the authentic atmosphere of the provencal villages such as La Palud and Trigance.
You will also have the opportunity to taste local delicacies including truffles, oil, tapenade, lavender honey, wine and goat cheese.

HIGHLIGHTS
- Verdon Gorge a UNESCO World Heritage site
- Taste provencal cuisine and local specialities
- Relax in the wilderness & do some bird watching

Accomodation

Accommodations
This is a progressive trip, so you will be staying in different establishments along the way. 

Description
We favour small local establishments, often family-run hotels or B&Bs, that employ local people. Selected by our track finders, our accommodations are chosen based on the friendliness of the owners, the quality of the service, the charm of the establishment and, quite often, the quirkyness (of both accommodation and owners!) that makes where you sleep an integral part of your adventure. 

Your package includes standard accommodation (with all basic comfort and services) but it is possible to upgrade to more comfortable accommodations for an extra fee.

Accommodation Itinerary - subject to changes based on availability
Night 1: Petite Auberge in Castellane
Night 2 & 3: Auberge Point Sublime in Point Sublime
Night 4: Panoramic in La Palud
Night 5: Auberge Point Sublime in Point Sublime
Night 6: Vieil Amandier in Trigance

Petite Auberge in Castellane
This small hotel offers 15 rooms, all equipped with heating, a flat screen television, a phone and a private bathroom.

Auberge Point Sublime in Point Sublime
This family-run hotel has been owned by the same family for 3 generations. It has 13 comfortable guestrooms featuring private facilities and a TV.

Panoramic in La Palud
The hotel features a heated outdoor pool, several terraces, a children's playground and a lounge with pool game, table tennis and table football. Free WiFi is available throughout the property.
The rooms come with a flat screen TV and a private bathroom. Some rooms offer garden views and pool, while others have mountain views.

Vieil Amandier in Trigance
This charming hotel has 12 cozy rooms, equipped with Wi-Fi, satellite TV and a private bathroom. In the evening, you can relax on the terrace overlooking the pool and the Jabron valley. The hotel is also equipped with a spa and a wellness centre including a sauna and Jacuzzi, accessible for an additional charge.


Meals
All breakfasts are included as well as 3 dinners (on Day 2, 3 & 5).

Breakfast will be provided by the accommodations.

Riding

Trip level: Difficult
A very good level of fitness is required. Expect to walk 5-7 hours per day not including lunch stops and with an altitude difference of about +/-950m.
You should be comfortable walking on steep mountainous terrain. You should also be sure-footed on mountain paths and do not have fear for heights (NOT suitable for those suffering from vertigo).
The walks take place on good paths for the most part, although they are sometimes steep and rocky in nature with some loose limestone. In addition, on the sections in the gorge you will encounter steps, tunnels, metal ladders and bridges.
We have chosen to grade the holiday difficult with a challenging notion largely due to the nature of the trail itself rather than the amount of ascent or distance each day.
You need good walking boots throughout the trip.

Itinerary

Sample itinerary - subject to changes

Please, note that it may be necessary to spend some nights in La Palud (if the Auberge du Point Sublime is not available) and to add transfers to and from La Palud. Please note that the Auberge du Point Sublime restaurant is closed on Wednesday evenings. If you arrive at the hotel on a Wednesday, you will be served a cold plate dinner.
IF AUBERGE DE SUBLIME IS NOT AVAILABLE ADDITIONAL TRANSFERS AND 2 NIGHTS IN LA PALUD SUR VERDON

Day 1: Catellane Loop
Arrival in Castellane by your own means. This medieval village is nestled at the foot of an impressive limestone block called 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.
Hike about 5km (1h45) +/-242m
Meals included: none
Overnight in Castellane

Day 2: Castellane to Point Sublime
Today you follow the GR4 from Castellane, an old Roman road and now a small country road on the heights of the deep Verdon valley. The path climbs gradually, overlooking the Verdon and the small shepherds village of Chasteuil. This is the ideal place for your picnic, before leaving for the high limestone moors and pastures. You then descend towards Rougon, perched on a rocky spur above the gorges, before reaching the famous Sublime Point.
Hike about 5h +700m/-780m
Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner
Overnight in Point Sublime

Day 3: Blanc-Martel Trail
Transfer after breakfast from Point Sublime to La Maline, the start of your walk.
Today you are embarking on a beautiful hike through the cliffs of the Grand Canyon du Verdon. Named after Edouard Alfred Martel, who was the first to explore the area in 1905, the Blanc-Martel trail is probably the most famous hiking route in the Verdon Gorge.
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 (not recommended for hikers prone to vertigo). You then go through the tunnels of Trescaire and Baou (torch or headlamp and warm jacket required). It is a long but superb and unforgettable experience!
Hike about 14km (6h) +900m/-800m
Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner
Overnight in Point Sublime

IMPORTANT NOTE
1. This hike (very well equipped and secure) is to be avoided by people who are afraid of heights. It is not recommended for children under 8 years old due to the stony-steep terrain and technical installations (metal stairs, handrails, tunnels - head lamps and sweaters required). Plan to bring with you at least 3 Liters of water per person.
2. Swimming in the Verdon is permanently prohibited because the river is dangerous. We suggest you swim in one of the lakes (Sainte Croix and Castillon), equipped with beaches and nautical bases, instead.


Day 4: La Maline to La Palud
After breakfast, short transfer to the start of your hike in La Maline. 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.
Hike about 18km (7h) +950m/-900m
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in La Palud

Day 5: La Palud to Point Sublime  
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 and the ideal location for observing the vultures (do not forget your binoculars).
Hike option 1: loop from La Palud to Tour de Barbin 11km (3h30) +/-520m
Hike option 2: hike from La Palud du Point Sublime 6km (2h30) +260m/-460m
Or both options: 18km (6h)
Meals included: Breakfast  & Dinner
Overnight in Point Sublime

Day 6: Point Sublime to Trigance  
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 splendid view of the river, 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. This building 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.
If you are accompanied by children or people prone to dizziness, you will still need to be extremely careful, as this is a natural lookout, without a safety barrier, and the cliff is immediate.
Hike about 10km (4h00) +625m/ -636m
Additional hike option: 1,5km climb to the summit of Mont Breis +/-230m
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Trigance

Day 7: Trigance to Castellane
For your last hike, you cross the gorges and the Jabron valley, passing by the green waters of the Verdon at the Pont de Carajuan. 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. Then, start your descent to Castellane through the state forest. Pick up your luggage at the hotel in Castellane. End of the trip in Castellane.
Hike about 19km (5h30) +570m/ -636m
Meals included: Breakfast

TRAIL CLOSURES DURING SUMMER
From June 15th to September 15th (or sooner and later depending on the weather) access to the Gorges du Verdon can be restricted if the risk of forest fire is high (mistral, heat...). Paths may be prohibited from noon or all day long. The information is available at 6:00 pm the day before for the next day via the local authorities website. It is the client's responsibility to check daily for the next day on the website of the prefectures of the ALPES-DE-HAUTE-PROVENCE (http://www.ancien.paca.gouv.fr/files/massif/index.ph)
Any additional costs (additional transfer...) will be at the clients' expense in case of trail closures. We will try to recommend alternative routes as best we can.

Rates and Dates for Verdon Gorge Hike

Dates Note:

Other Info
Meeting: Castellane
Airport: Nice
Transfer:

Climate:
                                        Valensole area