Hiking in the Gorges du Verdon

All around the Gorges du Verdon, the Regional Natural Park offers an infinite variety of landscapes : mountains and lakes, plateaus and hills, a green river and blue fields which seem to have been created for the pleasure of hiking, climbing or sinking into the heart of the forests…

The paradise for hikers in the Gorges du Verdon: many paths to discover the richness, contrasts and mixes offered by the smallest corners of the territory of the PNR itself so particular in the heart of this Provence .

The most favourable seasons for hiking in the Verdon, close to the camping Verdon are spring and autumn with the mild climate of the region and the colors of the flora.

Beforehand, we recommend that you follow the instructions respect the instructions and safety information and inform yourself about the weather and the difficulties of the routes.

The Imbut Trail

An exceptional trail that will take you through the meanders and chaos of the Grand Canyon du Verdon. The Estellié beach, the Bauchet, the Styx, the Maugué and the Imbut are magical places shaped by the river where you will discover an extraordinary mineral world.

• Departure : from the hotel restaurant des Cavaliers
• Arrival : at the exit of the Vidal path
• Distance 8 km
• Unevenness : 460 m + 440 –
• Duration : walking time 5 h

The great Margès

The summit of Grand Margès, second highest summit of the Var, will offer you a breathtaking view of the whole Haute Provence.

• Departure : from Col d’Illoire ( or departure and arrival at the Source de Vaumale to make it shorter)
• Arrival : at Col d’Illoire
• Distance : 15 km
• Height differences : 740 m + 740 –
• Walking time : 7 h

Le Tour du Défens

From Salles sur Verdon to Bauduen, the GR 99 leads hikers through the forest exploited since the dawn of time by Men to the edge of the lake of Ste Croix, a huge artificial water reservoir that has turned the landscape upside down.

• Departure and arrival : Camping la Source
• Distance : 17 km
• Height differences : 350m + 350m-
• Walking time : 5 h

The Martel Trail

This path is a one-way trip from the chalet de la Maline to La Palud sur Verdon and the arrival at the Point Sublime in Rougon. Shuttles and minibuses connect the 2 points during the tourist season.

This hike offers magnificent viewpoints on the Verdon river and the impressive reliefs around, pretty contrasts between the cliffs and the water color.

After the Brèche Imbert you can make a small detour to the site of the Mescla where the Artuby joins the Verdon. You go through 252 metal steps to go down the 100 meters of difference in height. The hike continues along the river bed, then passes through 3 tunnels, the last of which, the Baou tunnel, gives access to the Baume aux Pigeons, to finish at the parking lot of the Samson corridor.

• Duration : 6 h
• Distance : 14 km
• Height differences : 1118 + 1242 –

From the campsite la Source to Aiguines and back via the GR 99 and the lakeside.

• Duration : 2h30
• Distance : 9 km
• Vertical drop : 300 m
• Red and yellow markings

Around Moustiers Ste Marie

Erected on a tufa promontory, shrouded by imposing cliffs, fed by an abundant spring, Moustiers ste Marie surprises the visitor with its appearance of provençal creche. This village steeped in history has enabled pilgrims, itinerant traders and hikers to find shelter and food, as it has been an important stage on the “salinae” route for all travellers since the 5th century.

• A botanical path leads to the Bélvédère de Treguier with at the arrival a magnificent 360 ° view on the lake of ste Croix and the ravine of Angouire.
  Distance : 4.2 km
• The tour of Moustiers by the ravine Notre dame and the Roman way of a duration of 3 h (8 km); One starts by the ascent to the chapel of Notre dame de Beauvoir, the Grotto Ste Madeleine, the arid plateau which overhangs Moustiers to join the Roman way in balcony above the Lake of Ste Croix.

And recently the GR of the tour of Lake St. Croix inaugurated in September 2018.