Hiking in the spectacular Verdon gorges, Europe's grand canyon

For your first walk, you start from the village of La Palud and climb up to the abandoned village of Chateauneuf les Moustiers. You discover the history of this village perched atop a small hill. Panoramic views from the Verdon gorges to the Mourre de Chanier and Chiran mountains. If time & weather permitts you can continue beneath the village, passing under the cliff of the Roches de Notre-Dame and reaching a hidden chapel.

Loop Walk : La Palud > Chateauneuf > La Palud  | 4h30 |  Elevation : +250m / -250m
. Optional walk to the troglodyte chapel : add 1h30
Meals included : breakfast & picnic
Night : La Palud

Short transfer (20 mn) to the start of the hike. Today, you climb up the Issioule crest and continue to the Plein voir pass. The climb offers exceptional views of the arrival of the Verdon gorges and the beautiful blue Sainte-Croix lake, and you will spot the vultures that are very present on the cliffs. The Verdon gorges are a paradise for birdwatching enthusiasts: griffon vultures, golden eagles, peregrine falcons... The path continues through the forest. Transfer at the end of the walk back to the hotel.

Walk : Car park > Issioule crest > Plein voir > car park | 5h30 | +650m / -650m
Meals included : breakfast & picnic
Night : La Palud

Today, panoramic transfer (30 mn) to the charming village of Moustiers, listed as one of the most beautiful villages in France. You climb up to the Notre Dame de Beauvoir chapel, visible between the two cliffs overlooking the village. Built between the 12th and 16th century, it is part Romanesque, part Gothic. You then continue towards the Belvedere Treguier, 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. At the belvedere, on a rocky peak, you have a 360°C panorama: a breathtaking view of the Sainte-Croix lake, the valley and the surrounding cliffs ! After your picnic, you walk back to Moustiers and have some free time to stroll through the medieval streets and do some shopping, before a transfer back to your hotel (30 mn).

Walk :  Moustiers > Belvedere Treguier + Moustiers chapel > Moustiers | 3h30 - 4h | Elevation : +200m / -200m
Meals included : breakfast & picnic
Night : La Palud

Today you have a lazy morning. We will leave around 11am in order to be at the Belvedere de Rancoumas in the afternoon as you can best observe the vultures from mid-afternoon. Short transfer to the Point Sublime (15mn). You then start the climb to the  "Belvdere de Rancoumas". The belvedere is located at the edge of the big canyon of the Verdon. The view is exceptional, breathtaking !  You spend 1 hour observing the vultures : don’t forget your binoculars ! You walk back to Point Sublime and transfer back to your hotel ( 15mn).

Walk :  Point Sublime > Belvedere Rancoumas > Point Sublime | 4h30 + 1h birdwatching | Elevation : +850m / -850m
Meals included : breakfast & picnic 
Night : La Palud

Last breakfast in the Verdon. Morning transfer to Manosque train station. End of the trip.

Meals included : breakfast 

. You have to be comfortable with walking on steep mountainous terrain.
. You have to be sure-footed on mountain paths and have a good head for heights.
. 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.

Have an extra night in La Palud and rent an Ebike for a picturesque ride along the "route des crêtes" ( Crest road - No guide ). The loop ride is a 24km panoramic road starting in La Palud sur Verdon. It takes you on a circuit covering the crests of the Grand Canyon on heights up to 700 metres ! During your bike ride you will discover 14 Belvederes offering unforgettable viewpoints on the Grand Canyon.  Look out for local fauna (vultures, chamois, foxes...), or spot some climbers who ascend these splendid, vertiginous cliffs.

Ride : La Palud > Route des Cretes > La Palud - 2h30 | 24km - 15 miles | Elevation : +650m / -650m