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Hiking in the Verdon gorges, Europe's grand canyon - Easy
    • France - Verdon
    • 5 days
    • Walking
    • Self-guided
      • From May to October
    • 2 - 10 travellers
      • Simple
      • Comfort
      • Charming
      • Superior
      • Trip code : A1172
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About the Hiking in the Verdon gorges, Europe's grand canyon - Easy trip

The "Verdon gorges" are the most important canyon in Europe!  Nearly 50km long with cliffs reaching 700 meters high, this natural site is unique and remarkable, nestled between Provence and the Alps.
It is a paradise for lovers of the great outdoors, with striking colour contrasts bathed in the Mediterranean sun. It is the territory of big raptors and birds (vultures, golden eagles), a place where you take a big gulp of fresh alpine air, and it is also at the heart of an authentic and traditional Provence. 
You start your stay in the charming perched village of Moustiers, famous for its pottery. You hike between Moustiers, La Palud and Point Sublime, with great panoramic trails between the limestone cliffs and the emerald-green Verdon River below, through landscapes of alpine mountains and forests. 

A spectacular self-guided walking trip, accessible to all, in the heart of an authentic Provence and the spectacular Verdon gorges, with the local delicacies &traditional Provençal cuisine !

Please note : if you suffer from severe fear of heights, please contact us to get more information about the tour. 
There is no real danger, however the belvedere of Rancoumas is not safety equipped. A small natural parapet allows you to appreciate the view on the gorges (the sheer drop is immediate without barriers): people sensitive to vertigo should not go.

Highlights of the trip

  • The fantastic Verdon Gorges - unique in Europe : a UNESCO World Heritage site
  • 2 dinners and 1 picnic included
  • The perfect spring and autumn destination for all hikers
  • Panoramic landscapes of immense limestone cliffs, narrow gorges and magnificent turquoise blue waters
  • Moustiers, a charming typical village of Provence, capital of pottery
  • Traditions and cuisine of a typical Provence 
  • Preserved nature & bird watching


    Go Private or go guided ! Customize your holidays with a local specialist here 

From the blog

Hiking in the Verdon gorges, Europe's grand canyon - Easy : Day by Day

Day 1 - Moustiers, gateway to verdon and haute provence

  • You arrive on your own to the little village of Moustiers, start of your trip.
    Moustiers-Sainte-Marie is one of the most charming villages of Provence, famous for its pottery and listed as one of "the most beautiful vilage of France". The Roman road of Moustiers remained the only means of communication between Castellane and Moustiers until the 19th century. 
  • Night in Moustiers

  • We recommend : 
    . Have an extra pre-tour night in Aix en Provence,  a beautiful city of art & culture

Day 2 - Panoramic hike above Moustiers : botanical path and birdwatching

  • Walk 1 - Moustiers > Chapelle Notre Dame de Beauvoir >Moustiers
    1h out and back
    When you arrive in Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, you  can't help but be captivated by its chapel, visible between the two cliffs overlooking the village. Built between the 12th and 16th centuries, it was listed as a historic monument in 1921. It is partly Romanesque and partly Gothic. The chapel is well known for its "suscitations". In the 17th century, stillborn babies were baptized in the chapel and raised to heaven.
  • Walk 2 - Moustiers > Belvedere du Treguier> Moustiers ( out and back )  
    2 hours / 2h30  -  5 km - Ascent: +130 m / Descent: -130 m
    You start your trip with an easy panoramic hike above Moustiers.
    The trail starts in front of the Sainte-Anne chapel, dating from the 12th century. You walk along the limestone cliffs of the surrounding area of Moustiers-Sainte-Marie before entering the forest. This hike offers a beautiful view of the restanques (from the Provençal word "restanco"): dry stone terraces planted with olive trees. You walk in landscapes of brooms and oaks. On the way, you follow the botanical path of Tréguier and discover the different plant species of the area.
    The gorges of the Verdon are a paradise for birdwatching enthusiasts: griffon vultures, golden eagles, peregrine falcons...
    At the belvedere, on a rocky peak, you have a 360°C panorama: a breathatking view of the Sainte-Croix lake, the valley and the surrounding cliffs ! You walk your way back to Moustiers.
  • Night in Moustiers
  • MEALS included: Breakfast

  • Market on Friday morning in Moustiers

- Enjoy the lake sainte Croix !

  • Spend the afternoon by the lake sainte croix !
    You can also add an extra night in Moustiers

  • Walk & swim by the lovely village of  Sainte Croix du Verdon by the lake  
    . You can rent an Ebike ( 14 km one way, +230m/320m) and have a beautiful ride through lavender fields all the way to the village of Sainte croix du verdon.
    OR have a transfer to Sainte Croix
    . You enjoy the lovely village, the beach and you can complete an extra easy walk 
    . Walk - Saintes Croix du Verdon > walk on the "mule track" > Saintes Croix du Verdon
    2 hours  -  5km - Ascent: +170m / Descent: -170m
    An easy hike along the lake of Sainte Croix, via the famous "mule track" through fields of wheat and lavandin.
  • Rent a kayak or a pedal boats for 2 hours at the entrance of the Gorges, and enter the Verdon gorges
    . 1 kayak for 2 pers - Pedal boats for 5 pers
    . Transfer to the kayak base return + kayak / Pedal boat renting - From 70 €uros /  person 

Day 3 - From La Palud to the Point Sublime

best hike in the verdon gorges in provence

  • Walk - La Palud > Rougon > Point Sublime
    2h20 -  7km - Ascent: +260m / Descent: - 430m
  • Morning transfer on the panoramic road to La Palud (30mn). In La Palud village: take the time to visit the " House of the Gorges " to better understand the formation of the Gorges and the life of the inhabitants of this prestigious site. You start your walk from the village of La Palud to the village of Rougon. Take time to observe the vultures and the feeding area at Rougon before arriving at your accommodation at Point-Sublime.
  • Night in Point sublime
  • MEALS included: Breakfast & Dinner

  • Market on Sunday morning in La Palud

- Have an extra night and an extra cycling ride on the breathtaking "Crest road "

best ebike ride in the spectacular gorges verdon grand canyon

  • Ride - La Palud > Route des Cretes > La Palud
    24km = 2h30 ride - Ascent : +650m / Descent -650m
  • Have an extra night in La Palaud and ride with an Ebike the the unmissable "route des crêtes" ( Crest road). The loop ride is a 24km panoramic road starting in La Palud sur Verdon. It takes you through a circuit covering the crests of the Grand Canyon on heights up to 700 meters ! During your bike ride you will discover 14 Belvederes which will reveal the mythical cliffs of the Verdon and offer unforgettable viewpoints on the Grand Canyon.
    Look out for local fauna (vultures, chamois, foxes...), or meet some climbers who ascend these splendid, vertiginous cliffs.
  • See the supplement for the bike rental in the "extension section" - Extra night upon request

Day 4 - The breathtaking Rancoumas belvedere

hiking trip in the gorges verdon

  • Walk - Point Sublime > Belvedere Rancoumas > Point Sublime ( out and back )  
    . 3h30 - 4h - 15km - Ascent: +650m / Descent: -650m
    . If you suffer from severe fear of heights, please contact us to get more information about the tour. There is no real danger, however the "belvedere of Rancoumas" is not safety equipped. A small natural parapet allows you to appreciate the view on the gorges (the sheer drop is immediate without barriers): people sensitive to vertigo should not go.
  • Picnic included 
  • You hike along old mule tracks at the bottom of the gorges as far as the Pont de Tusset before rising to the "Belvédère de Rancoumas": the belvedere is located at the edge of the big canyon of the Verdon. The view is exceptional !
    You walk back to Point Sublime
  • Night in Point Sublime
  • MEALS included: Breakfast & picnic & dinner

Day 5 - To the entrance of the Verdon Gorges

best walks in the verdon gorges in provence

  • Walk - Point Sublime >  Samson Corridor > Point Sublime
    . 2h30 - 5km - Ascent: +600m / Descent: -600m
    . Don't forget your flashlight and a small jacket: it's cool in the tunnels!
  • You walk down to the entrance to the Verdon Gorge. First you pass the Point Sublime, one of the most impressive sites in the gorges. You then take a beautiful descent to the Samson corridor : as you go down, you can hear the Verdon River more and more, until you see its beautiful turquoise river. Finally, you discover the entrance to the Gorges du Verdon canyon that leads through the tunnels of the entrance of the famous "sentier Martel": you go towards the Samson corridor  carved out of the rock, and enter inside! 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 walk back to Point sublime by a different trail
  • You can have lunch at the point sublime restaurant if you wish
  • End of the trip after the walk 
  • MEALS included: Breakfast 

- Additionnal information on this hike

Please note :

. If you suffer from severe fear of heights, please contact us to get more information about the tour. 
There is no real danger, however the "belvedere of Rancoumas" is not safety equipped. A small natural parapet allows you to appreciate the view on the gorges (the sheer drop is immediate without barriers): people sensitive to vertigo should not go.
. You have to be comfortable with walking on a mountainous terrain.
. You need good walking boots throughout the trip.
. The hikes take place on good paths for the most part, although they are sometimes steep and rocky in nature with some loose limestone. 

- Access

  • Access to Moustiers
    From Aix en provence 
    . Bus from Aix centre to Riez.
    . Then From Riez : Bus to Moustiers ( Bus LER27 + B21) OR we can arrange an extra transfer to Moustiers (20mn)
    . We can also arrange a direct transfer from Aix to Moustiers ( 1h30 )
    From Nice
    . Bus line from Nice to Castellane ( Bus LER 31) + Bus castellane / Moustiers OR we can arrange an extra transfer
    . Train from Nice to Saint Andre des Alpes (panoramic small historic train - Train des Pignes ) and then extra transfer to Moustiers

  • Return from Point Sublime
    To Aix en Provence 
    . Bus Point sublime /  Riez 
    . From Riez : public bus to Aix en Provence OR private transfer
    To Nice
    . Bus to castellane and then bus Castellane /  Nice
    . From Castelanne, transfer to St André and train to Nice  (panoramic small historic train - Train des Pignes ) 

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    • Moustiers, a charming typical village of Provence, capital of pottery
    • Traditions and cuisine of a typical Provence 
    • Preserved nature & bird watching


      Go Private or go guided ! Customize your holidays with a local specialist here 

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    Trip details
    Hiking in the Verdon gorges, Europe's grand canyon - Easy
        • France - Verdon
        • 2 adults (2x650€)
        • 0 children (0x650€)
      • 5 days
      • Simple
    Total 1300€
    Deposit 400€
    Book now !