Cycling through the charming villages of the Verdon gorges

Highlights of the trip

  • Biking through the stunning Verdon Canyon, the largest canyon in Europe
  • The hilltop villages of Trigance and Sainte Croix du Verdon
  • The charming village of Castellane & its typical market
  • Scenic country roads adorned with lavender fields


    Customize your holiday here 

  • From 1060€ /pers
    • Self-guided Cycling
    • Moderate
      • 7 days
      • From May to October
      • Simple -
      • Comfort -
      • Charming -
      • Superior
      • Ref : A1232

Itinerary

Day 1 - Your arrival in the heart of the Verdon

La palud sur verdon, entrance gate to the Verdon canyon

. Our advice for the start date : We recommend this trip for weekdays, so ideally starting day 1 on a Sunday. During the summer season (15 July > 15 August), the road is busier on weekends and even though you gain altitude, the weather can still be warm. In spring and autumn, weather conditions are very pleasant. 

Arrive on your own in La Palud, in the heart of the Verdon. La Palud-sur-Verdon lies halfway between Castellane and Moustiers-Sainte-Marie. A base camp for climbing enthusiasts, La Palud-sur-Verdon is a pretty, unspoilt village in the heart of the canyon. Village life revolves around a few bars and restaurants with a warm & genuine atmosphere. The “Château de La Palud” is home to the Maison des Gorges du Verdon, an eco-museum dedicated to the gorges and their natural riches.
. 19h30/20h – Ebike delivery and meeting with our bike man at your hotel. 
Meals included : none
Night : La Palud

    Day 2 - The spectacular « crest road »

    the famous crest road on the verdon canyonYou start with the spectacular “crest road”. This loop is a 24 km panoramic route starting from La Palud sur Verdon. It takes you along a road that leads you through the gorges at heights of up to 700 metres! You discover 14 Belvederes revealing the mythical Verdon cliffs and offering spectacular views of the Grand Canyon. You can observe the local fauna (vultures, chamois, foxes...). You continue onwards to the Point sublime, one of the most impressive sites in the gorges with a panoramic view on the canyon entrance.
    Optional : You can take a 4km return detour by bike + 20/30mn return walk to the entrance of the gorges at the “Samson Corridor” that leads through tunnels. You explore the tunnels and its 2 windows carved into the rock with magnificent views of the Verdon canyon and its breathtaking cliffs.
    You then continue cycling towards the village of Trigance. Built like an eagle's nest at an altitude of 800 metres, the village proudly wraps itself around the rocky spur on which stands the imposing feudal castle with its crenellated towers. It's a typical Provençal hilltop village, with its high stone houses forming a rampart and topped with Roman tiles.
    Ride :
    . La Palud > Route des Cretes > La Palud | 24 km | Elevation : +650m/-650m
    . La Palud > Trigance | 30 km | +400 / -560m

    Meals included : breakfast
    Night : Trigance

    Day 3 - The Robion gorge & charming Castellane

    panoramic cycling on the corniche sublime in the Verdon canyon in provence

    Today, you start with a beautiful climb to the small village of Le Bourguet, in the Robion foothills. You pass through the magnificent Verdon Gorge National Forest. You pass the hamlet of Robion, famous for its Saint Thyrse Chapel, an exceptional building dating back to the 10th century! You continue through the Robion gorges to Castellane, a pretty village of character between the Alps and Provence. On Wednesday and Saturday mornings, you'll find a lovely Provencal market!
    Optional : you can leave the bikes and walk to the top of the cliff overlooking Castellane to the Notre dame du Roc chapel. Return to Trigance via the Porte de Saint Jean: a magnificent geological chaos jutting out over the road. Continue along the gorge past the Clue de Chasteuil to reach Trigance.
    Ride : Trigance > Castellane > Trigance | 40 km | +500 / -500m
    Meals included : breakfast
    Night : Trigance

    Market: Wednesday and Saturday mornings in Castellane

    Day 4 - The « Corniche Sublime » above the Canyon

    best ride in the verdon canyon on the famous corniche sublimeToday is the sportiest day of your trip and an another spectacular ride! You cycle along the iconic “corniche sublime” road, via the left bank. This gorge road is as spectacular as it is physically demanding.
    Up to the Illoire pass, the terrain is mountainous with great climbs. The last climb, around 8 km long, includes gradients over 12%. To penetrate this steep, mineral environment man has had to demonstrate his prowess. The Artuby bridge, and the Fayet tunnel are the awe inspiring structures that keep the road balanced in this vertical setting and quite incredible when crossed by bike.
    Then a long descent on a winding road to the pretty village of Aiguines. Adorned with polychrome tiles, the peppered turrets of the Château d'Aiguines elegantly signal the presence of this perched village clinging to the mountainside. From the foot of the Saint-Pierre chapel, which dominates the village, you can see far and wide: from Sainte-Croix lake to the Valensole plateau and even as far as the Mont Ventoux.
    Ride : Trigance > Aiguines | 30 km | Elevation : +860 m /  -840 m
    Meals included : breakfast
    Night : Aiguines or Les Salles

    Day 5 - Passing the entrance of the gorges & cycling in the lavender

    the breathtaking entrance of the verdon canyon. MORNING : From Aiguines, you descend to the turquoise shores of the  Sainte-Croix lake. In summer, you can cool off and swim in the lake!
    Optional : At the galetas bridge, you can leave your bikes and hire a kayak or pedalo to explore the entrance to the gorges (not bookable in advance). You cross the “Pont du Galetas, the junction between the lake and the Verdon Gorges and pedal onwards to the charming village of Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, listed as one of the most beautiful villages in France. A provençal village of character, nestled into the cliffs, with the Notre-Dame de Beauvoir chapel towering above it.
    . AFTERNOON :  You ride through the Verdon hinterland, lavender country, to Sainte Croix du Verdon on the shores of Sainte Croix lake: a cycling loop rich in colors and aromas! You are in the land of Provencal traditions: honey, olive oil, lavander essence, truffles... You can opt for the short loop and ride directly to the village of Sainte Croix. Along the way, you come across honey and lavender producers/sellers on the side of the road.
    . Option for a longer ride : your first stop is Riez, a Roman town steeped in history. You pedal along small mountain roads through dense forests of oak, pine and cedar. You climb to the lavender-fringed Valensole plateau with its breathtaking views of the turquoise Sainte Croix lake and the Verdon massif. You plunge down to the village of Sainte Croix, nestled on the shores of the Sainte Croix lake. We highly recommend a stop-off by the lake lined with small beaches and coves: ideal for a picnic and a swim! Don't forget your swimsuit!
    You climb back up to the beautiful plateau through lavender fields, before descending to Moustiers.
    Ride
    . Aiguines > Moustiers | 15 km | Elevation : + 200m/-360m
    . Moustiers > Sainte Croix du Verdon | 15km | +210m/-300m
    . Long option : Moustiers > Riez > Sainte Croix du Verdon > Moustiers | 52km | +630m/-630m

    Meals included : breakfast
    Night : Sainte Croix du Verdon

    Day 6 - The intimate gorge of the lower Verdon

    best cycling rides in the Verdon canyon and lake sainte croixThis lovely cycling loop takes you to the lower Gorges du Verdon: less spectacular but more intimate. You cycle along some superb back roads offering breathtaking views of Lac d'Esparron-de-Verdon with its sparkling turquoise waters, majestic gorges and picturesque coves. You wind your way around Baudinard, Saint Laurent du Verdon and Montpezat.
    Optional : possibe detour to Quinson.
    You'll be charmed by the little villages with their Provençal atmosphere - where lavender fields blend harmoniously with oak, olive and almond trees and the crystal-clear waters of the lower gorges.
    Ride : 
    . Sainte Croix > Baudinard > Sainte Croix | 40 km | Elevation : +700m / -700m
    . Extra loop out and back to Quinson :  add 12km | +180m/-180m
    Meals included : breakfast
    Night : Sainte Croix du Verdon

    Day 7 - End of the trip

    best self guided cycling holiday in the spectacular verdon canyonTransfer to Moustiers after breakfast. End of the trip
    Meals included : breakfast

    • From 1060€ /pers
      • Self-guided Cycling
      • Moderate
        • 7 days
        • From May to October
        • Simple -
        • Comfort -
        • Charming -
        • Superior
        • Ref : A1232
    YOUR TRIP

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    From the blog

    More cycling trips in the Verdon

      • 5 days
      • Easy
      • Self-guided Cycling
        • From May to October
    •   Accommodation choice :
        • Simple
        • /
        • Comfort
        • /
        • Charming
        • /
        • Superior

    Highlights of the trip

    • 1 night in a hotel suspended above the gorges ! 
    • The breathtaking scenery of the Europe's largest canyon
    • Cycling from the famous Verdon gorges to Moustiers, above the Sainte Croix lake
    • The charm of the villages of Haute Provence: the perched village of Trigance
    • Swim in the Sainte Croix lake

      Customize your holiday here 

      • 5 days
      • Moderate
      • Self-guided Cycling
        • From May to October
    •   Accommodation choice :
        • Simple
        • /
        • Comfort
        • /
        • Charming
        • /
        • Superior

    Highlights of the trip

    • Cycling from the iconic Verdon Gorges to Moustiers
    • The perched village of Trigance
    • Swim in the turquoise Sainte Croix lake
    • Moustiers-Sainte-Marie: a village of exceptional beauty

      Customize your holiday here 

      • 6 days
      • Moderate
      • Self-guided Cycling
        • From May to October
    •   Accommodation choice :
        • Simple
        • /
        • Comfort
        • /
        • Charming
        • /
        • Superior

    Highlights of the trip

    • Cycling along the iconic Verdon Canyon, Europe’s largest canyon
    • The perched villages of Trigance & Sainte Croix du Verdon 
    • Country roads lined with lavender fields 
    • Swim in the turquoise water of the Sainte Croix lake

      Customize your holiday here 

      • 7 days
      • Moderate
      • Self-guided Cycling
        • From May to October
    •   Accommodation choice :
        • Simple
        • /
        • Comfort
        • /
        • Charming
        • /
        • Superior

    Highlights of the trip

    • Biking through the stunning Verdon Canyon, the largest canyon in Europe
    • The hilltop villages of Trigance and Sainte Croix du Verdon
    • The charming village of Castellane & its typical market
    • Scenic country roads adorned with lavender fields


      Customize your holiday here 

      • 8 days
      • Moderate
      • Self-guided Cycling
        • From May to October
    •   Accommodation choice :
        • Simple
        • /
        • Comfort
        • /
        • Charming
        • /
        • Superior

    Highlights of the trip

    • Full tour of the Verdon canyon and Sainte Croix lake by bike
    • Cycling along the iconic Verdon Canyon, Europe’s largest canyon
    • Country roads lined with lavender fields 
    • Loop ride to Castellane, a charming village 
    • Swim in the turquoise water of the Sainte Croix lake

      Customize your holiday here