Hiking in the Verdon gorges, Europe's grand canyon - Challenging

After breakfast, short transfer to the start of your hike from La Maline.  Today you see the huge contrast between the gorges, the garrigue and the Barbin forest. You follow the Bastidon path, high above the Verdon Grand Canyon overlooking the gorges some  700m below. From the Belvedere de Mayreste, the second part of the trail is more sporty and goes up the Brusc ravine to reach the Barbin plateau before heading down to the small village of La Palud.

Walk : La Maline > la Palud  | 6h30 |  18 km - 11 miles | Elevation : +950m / -950m
. Important : a 400m ascent with altitude difference that requires training.
Meals included : breakfast
Night : La Palud

Have an extra night in La Palud and ride with an Ebike along the unmissable "route des crêtes" ( Crest road). 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 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 spot some climbers who ascend these splendid, vertiginous cliffs.
See the supplement for the bike rental in the "extension section" - Extra night upon request

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

Today you can choose between 2  walks to combine before/after the walk La Palud > Point sublime :  1 optional loop walk from La palud + 1  optional loop walk from Point Sublime .
After a rather steep climb, you can discover hundred-year-old oaks and beech trees as well as other plant species before admiring the gorges seen from above and the village of La Palud sur Verdon. You continue on the "Baou path" between cliffs and ravines to Rougon, a village dominating the Gorges, the ideal location for bird watching, especially vultures.

Optional walk Samson corridor
. 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 :
. Walk option 1 : La Palud > Tour du Barbin > La Palud | 3h30 | 11 km - 7 miles | Elevation : +580m / -580m
. Walk : La Palud > Point Sublime  | 2h20 |  7 km - 4 miles | Elevation : +260m / -430m
. Walk option 2 : Point Sublime >  Samson Corridor > Point Sublime | 2h30 | 5 km - 4 miles | Elevation : +600m / -600m
Meals included : breakfast & dinner
Night : Point sublime

Transfer to La Maline. Today you are embarking on a must-see hike through the cliffs of the "Verdon Grand Canyon".  Named after Edouard Alfred Martel, who was the first to explore the Grand Canyon in 1905, the Blanc-Martel trail is probably the most famous hiking route in the Verdon. You descend into the Gorges and follow the course of the river to the Point Sublime. 
Along the way you encounter the Brèche Imbert, six metal ladders with a total of 252 steps that facilitate the steep descent of this difficult part of the trail (difficult for hikers prone to vertigo). You go through the tunnels of Trescaire and Baou (torch or headlamp and warm jacket required), through walkways and on stairs. It is a long but superb and unforgettable experience! 

Walk :  La Maline > Point Sublime | 7h | 15 km - 9 miles | Elevation : +900m / -900m
Meals included : breakfast & picnic & dinner
Night : Point sublime

Important :
- This hike, although very well equipped and secure, is to be avoided if you are afraid of heights. Not recommended either for children under 8 years old. It is a rocky and steep terrain, with technical installations (metal stairs, handrails, tunnels - head lamps and sweaters required). Plan a minimum of 3 litres of  water/person
- Swimming in the Verdon is prohibited for 2 reasons :  the river is dangerous and because of the EDF (electricity firm) releasing high pressure water. During the season, EDF have fixed days (usually Tuesdays and Fridays) where they can release the water - but this can change depending on electricity needs and/or weather conditions. The gorges are also used for water sports such as rafting. For safe swimming, you can enjoy the lakes in Sainte Croix and Castillon, with beaches and nautical bases. 

Today’s hike takes you over the Verdon’s riverbed via an ancient Roman bridge.  Once you pass the left bank, you head up to the hamlet of Entreverges. When you arrive at the Rancoumas lookout, nestled at an altitude of 981 metres, you will discover a natural ramp overlooking the Verdon, allowing you to fully enjoy a plunging view of the Verdon which flows several hundred metres below. You follow the cliff to Trigance, a typical Provencal village dominated by a beautiful feudal building with four towers dating back to the 11th century. It contains historical treasures and can be visited.  You can also take a tour of the botanical trail that allows you to discover the flora of the Var highlands.

Walk :  Point Sublime > Trigance | 5h | 12 km - 7 miles | Elevation : +650m / -900m
Meals included : breakfast & picnic 
Night : Trigance

Important:
- If you are accompanied by children or people prone to dizziness, you will need to be extremely careful as this is a natural lookout without a safety barrier and a sheer drop. 
- People who are sensitive to vertigo will also need to take precautions and hang back.

Transfer to La Palud after breakfast. End of the trip 

Meals included : breakfast 

. A very good level of fitness is required, expect to walk 5-7 hours per day not including lunch stops and with an elevation gain of +/-950m.
. 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. In addition, on the sections in the gorge you will encounter steps, tunnels, metal ladders and bridges.
. There are steep ascents/descents, sometimes in hot weather.
. We have chosen to grade the walking holiday difficult with a challenging notion largely due to the nature of the trail itself rather than the elevation gain or distance each day.
. It is NOT suitable for those suffering from vertigo.