The Verdon is considered the most beautiful canyon in Europe. With its cliffs over 600m high, it is also the largest. In this small country where everything is disproportionate, man has been able to adapt, over time shape extraordinary paths that take you to unique viewpoints and panoramas.
The Blanc-Martel trail, the Bastidon, the belvedere of Rancoumas, the Escalés as many routes and renowned site that we propose to take for this trip that we want to concentrate around this great canyon.
Comfortable accommodation in cottages and small hostels nestled in the middle of suspended villages, an authentic and warm atmosphere awaits you.
Dates | Status | Prices | |
---|---|---|---|
From 24/09/23 to 29/09/23 |
Open departure | 765 € | Book online |
From 01/10/23 to 06/10/23 |
Open departure | 720 € | Book online |
From 08/10/23 to 13/10/23 |
Open departure | 720 € | Book online |
From 15/10/23 to 20/10/23 |
Guaranteed departure | 720 € | Book online |
From 22/10/23 to 27/10/23 |
Guaranteed departure | 720 € | Book online |
From 29/10/23 to 03/11/23 |
Guaranteed departure | 720 € | Book online |
From 05/11/23 to 10/11/23 |
Open departure | 720 € | Book online |
From 12/11/23 to 17/11/23 |
Open departure | 720 € | Book online |
From 19/11/23 to 24/11/23 |
Open departure | 720 € | Book online |
From 26/11/23 to 01/12/23 |
Open departure | 720 € | Book online |
From 26/11/23 to 01/12/23 |
Open departure | 720 € | Book online |
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Single room option: 215€ per person for the week
Mobility Pack options from Manosque station: 40€ per person
The price includes:
The price does not include:
The price is all inclusive from departure to end point.
Personalised tour available
Contact us !WELCOME AND VILLAGE VISIT
Welcome to Manosque station by your guide and transfer to Moustiers-Sainte-Marie. Visit of the village classified among the most beautiful villages in France. Church, ramparts, chapels, aqueduct, fountains, water and stone rings, pastel tones of tiles and tuff shape a homogeneous and living architectural ensemble. The sweetness of life that emerges naturally encourages us to respect and value this place, to discover and protect it. The work of the land perpetrated for centuries is the link between history and the future of the village.
Transfer to La Palud-sur-Verdon in the late afternoon, installation in your hotel for 5 nights. Transfer time: between 30 minutes and 1h.
Night and dinner at the hotel.
THE BASTIDON TRAIL
Departing from Chiappera, we will climb to the bottom of the Maurin valley to reach the magnificent Bellino pass and its remarkable alpine sheepfolds. For the return, descent on Chiapperra by going around the most remarkable rock of the valley: the Rocca Provençale. Return to accommodation.
Night and dinner at the hotel
5 hours walk. Altitude difference: +800m -800m
LES CHAUVETS - CHIRAN OBSERVATORY
After a short transfer to the hamlet of Michels, we take the old Roman road, at the foot of the Coudole ridge to reach the small hamlet of Chauvets, nestled at the foot of the Mourre Charnier. From this first part in the colors of Haute Provence, we climb one of the last highest peaks before the Mediterranean: the Chiran (1905m) which faces its twin the Mourre Charnier (1930m). Beautiful climb to the top, where we are greatly rewarded by the magical point of view that it offers on all the massif that makes up the Verdon.
5.30am walk. Altitude difference: +650m -650m
BELVEDERE DES RANCOUMAS
Departing directly from Rougon, with a small approach with our personal vehicles (5mn journey), we set out to discover one of the most beautiful viewpoints on these deep gorges. Access to the viewpoint of Rancoumas is by a pleasant path in the forest, with a passage on the remarkable Pont du Tusset, which from its 32 meters, spans in a single arch the Verdon.
Night and dinner at the auberge or gîte.
5h walk. Altitude difference: +550m -550m
ROUGON - WHITE MARTEL TRAIL - LA MALINE
From Rougon, descent to the parking lot of Point Sublime, where we make a stop. Descent by the parking lot of Couloir Samson to the gorges. The Blanc-Martel Trail was completely redeveloped in spring 2013, including the Imbert Breach ladders. We begin this stage with an old tunnel several hundred meters long that was built at a time when hydroelectric engineers wanted to tame the Verdon to make electricity (a flashlight will be mandatory to cross the tunnel). We then walk along the entire cliff of the Escalès, known to climbers all over the world. Picnic break at the Baume aux Chiens, before the impressive climb of the ladders of the Imbert breach (without risk), famous and emblematic passage, in the heart of the gorges. Last climb towards La Maline to get out of the gorge. Note that this linear day can be done in both directions.
Night and dinner in hotel.
7h walk. Altitude difference: +650m -600m
THE PATHS OF FISHERMEN
This wild path takes us to the edge of the gorges, we take advantage of this last day to finally have a nice swim in these gorges with turquoise waters. After a quick descent to the river, we follow directly the water of the Verdon for 1.5km. A shorter day to allow us to get back on the road in the early afternoon and be at Manosque station by 4:30 pm.
3h30 walk. Altitude difference: +350m -350m
Altitude of accommodation: 1000 m
Duration of the stages: 3h30 to 6h per day
Average positive altitude difference: 600 m per day
Maximum altitude difference: 750 m
Maximum crossing altitude: 1930 m
Nature of the terrain: on trails and varied terrain easy to medium mountain. Passage in tunnels, Secured metalic stairs. Little exposure to vertigo but some passages in rocks. Depending on the weather, the guide may also have to modify the stages (rain, hot weather, etc.). Slippery passages on some stages should be avoided in rainy weather.
Trip in collaboration with partners.
This stay requires a good general form.
Your physical preparation will facilitate your stay and allow you to enjoy it all the more. To prepare, we recommend regular walking, jogging, cycling or any other sport.
Number of participants between 5 and 15 people supervised by a qualified professional (mountain guide).
By car:
Reception in Moustiers Sainte Marie at 15:30 in the car-pool parking lot. The «carpool parking» of Moustiers is located at the west entrance of Moustiers, on the road of Riez (RD952). This parking is free and not guarded.
From Aix-Marseille take the A51 motorway to the Manosque exit.
From Lyon (334km 4h30): A 48 to Grenoble (100 km, 1 h) then RN 75 to Sisteron then A51 motorway to the exit Manosque. Manosque, follow the direction of Valensole then Moustiers. Carpool parking is on the access road to Moustiers from Manosque, 500 meters after the Total station on your left.
More information on www.viamichelin.fr
By train:
Easy access from Paris TGV in 4h30. Transfer from Manosque station possible by taxi or with your companion (mobility package: 40€/person to book at registration, your guide or a taxi will pick you up at 2:30pm at Manosque station)
The few trips to the start of the hikes will be made with the personal vehicles of each of the participants. Small trips every day of about 10 minutes and a maximum of 60 kilometers over the week. For people arriving by train, we offer a mobility package for 40€per person, for maximum 8 participants on the group (1 minibus 9 places driven by the attendant).
Dispersion at 15:30 from the fishermen’s trail. Or around 16:30 at the SNCF station in Manosque if you have chosen the "mobility pack" option.
If you are late please let us know as soon as possible : +33 (0)4 50 79 09 16 or +33 (0)6 42 49 76 07
Clothing
Other Equipment
Bring a comfortable backpack of 30 to 40 litres for your personal belongings for the day (warm clothes, waterproofs, water, plate and cutlery for your picnic, sunscreen and your identity papers) and please keep a little room to carry a picnic and snacks.