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Hike tour in the Verdon gorges Europe's grand canyon : starting from Nice
    • France - Verdon
    • 5 days
    • Walking
    • Self-guided
      • From May to October
    • 2 - 10 travellers
      • Simple
      • Comfort
      • Charming
      • Superior
      • Trip code : A1174
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About the Hike tour in the Verdon gorges Europe's grand canyon : starting from Nice trip

A sensational self-guided walking holiday that explores Europe’s most beautiful and spectacular river canyon: the Verdon Gorge, situated between Provence and the Alps. With 300 days of sunshine a year, the Verdon Gorge is a land of contrasts for nature lovers : a mosaic of Alpine landscapes and Mediterranean vegetation, from meleze to holm oak and olive trees. Here nature is everywhere, and you delve into the history and traditions of Provence, thousands of years old. 

The self-guided Provence walking holiday can start and finish in Nice, in the  heart of the French Riviera. A direct bus & the famous  train line of the "Chemins de fer de Provence" connect the city of Nice to Digne, via the Verdon Gorges region, leaving from the French Riviera and crossing the hinterland of Nice and the Alpes-de-Haute Provence, in an uninterrupted parade of rivers, mountains and gorges. 

Your first night is spent in  the low-key town of Castellane, on the Napoleon road, nestled in Alpine foothills of Haute Provence and classified as a "town of character". Enjoy strolling through the narrow streets of a typical Haute-Provence village. You hike on paths through the garrigue, and zigzag in the forests of altitude along dry stone terraces. You pass through the authentic small villages and hamlets of Rougon, La Palud & Trigance and discover small Romanesque chapels. The paths lead you to the famous "Belvedere of Rancoumas" and offer an impressive panoramic view on the imposing site of the "Gorges du Verdon" with its high jagged mountain peaks, limestone cliffs & emerald-green river. The gorges of Verdon are also the kingdom of the big birds of prey : impressive !

A spectacular hiking holiday in Provence with all the local delicacies such as truffles, oil, tapenade, lavender honey, wine and goats cheese.

Please note : if you suffer from severe fear of heights, please contact us to get more information about the tour.

Highlights of the trip

  • A mosaic of Alpine landscapes and Mediterranean vegetation, from meleze to holm oak and olive trees. 
  • Spectacular hikes through the Verdon Gorge: a UNESCO World Heritage site
  • 2 dinners and 4 picnics included
  • Dramatic wild landscapes and authentic & small Provencal villages
  • A land of contrasts for nature lovers
  • Preserved nature & bird watching, especially vultures
  • Delicious cuisine of Provence with local specialities

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

From the blog

Hike tour in the Verdon gorges Europe's grand canyon : From Nice : Day by Day

Day 1 - Castellane, a charming town in the heart of the Verdon

castellane village in the verdon gorges

  • Walk - Castellane > Notre dame du Roc > Castellane
    2h - 5km - Ascent: +250m / Descent: -250m
  • You start your trip from Nice. Direct bus to Castellane or you take the "train des pignes" from Nice to Saint André les Alpes ( train not included). The famous picturesque line of the " train des Pignes" connects the city of Nice to Digne - via the Verdon Gorges region -  4 times a day. You leave the French Riviera and cross the hinterland of Nice and the Alpes-de-Haute Provence, in an uninterrupted parade of rivers, mountains and gorges. 
  • Depending on your arrival time, you have the possibility of taking a short walk today. A walk along the paths and vegetation with the typical aromas of the South of France, to reach the wonderful little" Chapel of Notre Dame du Roc", dating from the 13th century, that protects and overlooks the village of Castellane, passing by the ruins of the ancient city of Petra Castellana and finishing the loop by the Pentagonal Tower.  Atop this majestic block of limestone overlooking the village, you will be amply rewarded for your climbing efforts with an orientation table and incredible 360° view of the gorges, a glimpse of the backwaters of the Verdon and the emerald colours of Lake Castillon. 
  • Night in Castellane

  • Morning market every Wednesday & Saturday morning in Castellane

Day 2 - From Castellane to the impressive Point Sublime

verdon gorge the grand canyon of europe

  • Walk - Chasteuil > Point Sublime
    3 hours - 8 km - Ascent: +400 m / Descent: -510 m
  • Picnic included
  • Transfer to to the small shepherds village of Chasteuil (20 mn). You walk on the GR4 on an old Roman road on the heights of the deep Verdon valley. The path descends towards Rougon perched on a rocky spur above the famous gorges before reaching the famous Sublime Point.
  • Night in Point Sublime
  • MEALS included: Breakfast & picnic & dinner

  • Please note :
    It may be necessary to spend two nights at La Palud (if the Auberge du Point Sublime is not available) and to add transfers to and from La Palud. Please note that the restaurant at the Auberge du Point Sublime is not open every day. The usual closing days are Wednesday or Sunday but this can change during the season.  If you stay at the hotel when the restaurant is closed, you will be served a cold plate dinner.

Day 3 - The breathtaking Rancoumas belvedere

  • self guided walking tour in the verdon gorgesWalk - 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 4 - From the Point Sublime to La Palud

best walks in the verdon gorges in provence

  • Picnic included
  • Optional loop 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
  • Walk 2 - Point Sublime > La Palud
    2h20 - 7 km / Ascent: +260m / Descent: -430m
    You walk on the Baou path between cliffs and ravines to Rougon, a balcony dominating the Gorges, the ideal location for bird watching, especially vultures. You continue past hundred-year-old oak and beech trees as well as other plant species before admiring the gorges seen from above and the village of La Palud sur Verdon. 
  • Night in La Palud
  • MEALS included: Breakfast & picnic 

- Have an extra night & an extra bike ride on the breathtaking "Crest road "

cycling trip in the gorges verdon

  • Bike Ride - La Palud > Route des Cretes > La Palud
    24 km = 2h30 ride - Ascent : +650m / Descent -650m
  • Have an extra night 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 5 - Bye Bye Verdon

hiking in verdon gorge

  • End of the trip after breakfast 
  • MEALS included: Breakfast & picnic

- 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 Castellane 
    . Direct bus from Nice to Castellane -  Bus LER 31
    . "Train des pignes" from Nice to Saint André : panoramic small historic train - Train des Pignes -Train schedule here 
  • Return from La Palud to Nice
    . Bus to castellane and then bus Castellane /  Nice
    . From Castellanne, transfer to St André and train to Nice  (panoramic small historic train - Train des Pignes ) 

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    • 2 dinners and 4 picnics included
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    • Delicious cuisine of Provence with local specialities

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

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    Trip details
    Hike tour in the Verdon gorges Europe's grand canyon : starting from Nice
        • France - Verdon
        • 2 adults (2x640€)
        • 0 children (0x640€)
      • 5 days
      • Simple
    Total 1280€
    Deposit 400€
    Book now !