Hiking tour in the heart of the Verdon Gorges

Your vehicles remain parked in Moustiers-Sainte-Marie . A short transfer of approximately 10 minutes takes you to the start of the hike.

This first stage takes you to the Ourbes ridge , in a truly panoramic setting. You'll hike along paths perched high above Lake Sainte-Croix , while the Mourre de Chanier peak rises on the horizon. The landscapes open up, offering a beautiful introduction to the heart of the Verdon region .

The hike represents approximately 6 hours of walking with an elevation gain of +600m .

At the end of the day, you will arrive in La Palud-sur-Verdon where you will find your luggage. Dinner and overnight stay in a ** hotel.

From La Palud-sur-Verdon , you first retrace the previous day's route for about an hour, below the summit of Bardin . The path then enters the more enclosed Brusc ravine before reaching the Mairestre viewpoint .

From this promontory, the view plunges into the depths of the Verdon Grand Canyon . You continue along the Bastidon path , a balcony overlooking the gorges, with open views of the cliffs and the meanders of the river below.

The day involves approximately 6 hours of walking with an elevation gain of +450m .

At the end of the stage, a short transfer of approximately 10 minutes takes you to the Gîte de la Maline . There you will find your luggage for dinner and the night.

You leave the Gîte de la Maline to take the famous Sentier Martel , an iconic route through the Verdon Gorge . The landscape quickly becomes more rocky. You pass through several tunnels , using your headlamp, then descend stairs and footbridges that gradually lead to the bottom of the gorge.

You then follow the Verdon torrent very closely, in a narrow, enclosed setting, between steep cliffs and rushing water. This challenging but accessible stage plunges you into the heart of the canyon.

The hike represents approximately 5 hours of walking with an elevation gain of +600m .

Upon arrival at the Samson corridor , a minibus transfer will take you to the village of Rougon . There you will find your luggage and have dinner and spend the night in a gîte.

From Rougon , you gradually leave the rocky landscape of the gorges behind to reach the heights of La Grau . The route climbs to the Traversières ridge before reaching the summit of Pioulet (1744m) . The atmosphere becomes more open, with rounded hills and sweeping panoramas.

After this sustained climb, you begin the descent through the Hermas valley , passing through the hamlet of Thon , to the village of Blieux .

This stage represents approximately 5 hours 30 minutes of walking with an elevation gain of +780m .

You will have dinner and spend the night in a gîte in Blieux . Your luggage will not be transferred on this leg of the journey.

From the hamlet of Blieux , you gain altitude towards the Mourre de Chanier (1930m) or the Chiran (1905m) , depending on conditions. The ascent is gradual and sustained, in the heart of a more alpine environment.

At the summit, the panoramas are vast. On a clear day, you can see the Mercantour and Écrins mountain ranges, while the Verdon landscape unfolds beneath your feet.

You then descend towards the hamlet of Chauvets , through alpine pastures and ridge paths.

The day involves approximately 5 hours of walking with an elevation gain of +850m .

Dinner and overnight stay in a gîte at Les Chauvets , where you will find your luggage.

For this last day of walking, you leave Les Chauvets towards the Col des Abbès , in a garrigue landscape with open and preserved atmospheres.

Depending on the conditions and the energy of the group, you have the possibility of reaching the summit of the Pavillon (1825m) , offering a final view of the Sainte-Croix lake and the terrain covered during the week.

The descent then takes place via an old Roman road which gradually leads you back to Moustiers-Sainte-Marie , thus completing your journey.

This stage represents approximately 5 hours and 30 minutes of walking with an elevation gain of 500m . You will find your luggage upon arrival, expected around 4pm in Moustiers.