It is a territory cut between Alps and Provence, articulated around the Verdon river; it is also a subtle mixture of scrubland and forests, summits and desert plateaus. Located in the Verdon Regional Natural Park and in the Geological Reserve of Haute Provence, the hike crosses a wild country animated by its gorges and its small villages perched on the edge of cliffs or lost in the hollow of wild valleys: Castellane, Blieux, Rougon, la Palud... The landscapes are sculpted by geological fractures and the fury of the waters.
By panoramic ridge paths or by the bottom of the gorges along the river, the itinerary explores this natural park and the gorges that make its reputation.
Along the Martel trail, balconies, caves, belvederes, tunnels follow one another in a fairy-tale place dominated by immense walls with grey-orange tones. In the past, only a few courageous men knew how to go and look for the Buis and honey in these 700 meters deep meanders.
Departures from May to October 2022, 6-day comfort tour (5 nights in half-board, in **hotel or gîte, in rooms of 2/3 people).
Without luggage transport: 530€ per person
With luggage transport:
For 2/3 people: 740€ per person
For 4/5 people: 640€ per person
For 6 persons and more: 595€ per person
In option: the taxi transfer days 2, 3 and 4 and the transfer the last day from La Pallud to Moustiers Sainte Marie:
- 170€ for the group, 1 to 4 people
- 230€ for the group, 5 to 8 people
In option, possibility to sleep in the ***hotel of Gorges de Verdon in La Palud with spa, in the medieval castle of Trigance and in a hotel with pool in Castellane. Contact us.
Secure payment
Includes :
Does not include :
The rate is all inclusive from the meeting point to the point of dispersion.
MOUSTIERS SAINTE MARIE – LA PALLUD
Departure from the protected village of Moustiers. The path goes up to the ridge until the Col de Plein Voir. First viewpoint on the south of the park and lac de Sainte Croix. The path continues in the ridge before the descent on the beautiful village of La Palud. Night in a lodge.
6h walk / Elevation: +950m - 700m 15 km
SENTIER BLANC MARTEL
Little transfer to La Maline, departure of the hike and then descent to the river. The itinerary crosses well-named places: the couloir (corridor) Samson, the Escales cliff, the Défilé des Baumes, the sublim point... Viewpoints, stairs and tunnels succed along the day. Little ascent at the end of the stage to the Auberge Sublime. Night in the lodge.
5h30 walk / Elevation: +700m - 800m 12 km
TRIGANCE - CASTELLANE
Return along the Verdon, that we leave quickly. A little orientation time allows to discover the belvedere of Rancoumas, for a point of view on the gorges. Crossing over the village of Trigance, dominated by a beautiful castle. Descent to the Carajuan bridge, above the Jabron gorges. Possible detour to the small bridge of Sautet for the view on the limestone meanders of the Jabron. At the Carajuan bridge, transfer by a local bus to Castellane (16km), a pleasant little southern town.
5h30 walk / Elevation: +700m - 950m 15km
CADIERES DE BRANDIS
Taxi transfer to the Col de Lèques above Castellane (10km) (optional). Arrival on the rocky ridge after the ascent in a forest of oaks and scots pines, at Cadières de Brandis, a remarkable ruinous site that deserves a short stop. The ascent continues on a wild ridge, up to the summit (1741m) revealing a wide panorama of gorges and valleys. Descent to Colle Basse, then in the valley towards the small village of Blieux, lost in a beautiful valley. Possibility to hike from Castellane to Colle Basse by the Roman way without transfer. Night in a gite.
6h00 walk / Elevation: +800m - 950m 11 km
BLIEUX - ROUGON
Ascent to the passage de la Prau, between the Mourre de Chanier (1930m) and the Traversières ridge. Ascent (optional) on the beautiful crest of the Mourre, from with the wild landscape before to join the Prau then the doline of Suech. Descent to the Village of Rougon, for a night in a gîte, under the flight of the vultures which return to the fold!
4h30 walk / Elevation: +750m - 700m 12 km
2h00 walk / Elevation: +450m - 450m 3 km for the summit of Mourre
ROUGON - LA PALLUD
Departure by the champetre path and stop at the Bergerie de Faucon for a little visit of the animals reserve before to reach La Palud at the end of the morning.
3h walk / Elevation: +280m - 220m 6 km
End of the trip around 12h in La Pallud. Transfer to Moustiers with a local bus (17km).
Height difference : +/- 550m to 900m
Walking time : 4h to 6h30 per day
Type of walk : mountain route with no particular technical difficulty. Some passages with requiring a sure footing with cables and scales the day 2. One passage on a ridge unmarked.
Before departure, we will give you a travel pack containing
Two options:
Without luggage transport: all your luggage is carried by you.
With luggage transport: your luggage is transported to your accommodation each day by a logistics vehicle.
COMFORT :
2 nights in a hotel or gîte in a room for 2/3 people,
All accommodation is equipped with hot showers.
Breakfasts and dinners are provided in each accommodation.
Picnics are not included and can be ordered the day before in each accommodation.
Start of the hike in Moustiers St Marie.
BY TRAIN
From the SNCF train stations of Geneva, Grenoble, Nice and Marseille and then bus to Moustiers. https://www.moustiers.fr/fr/acces.
All train timetables should be checked with Sncf.
CLIMATE
Southern Alps, dry and hot in summer, sweet in automn and spring, but maybe with a violent wind: the Mistral.
If you are late, contact the agency: +33 (0)4 50 79 09 16 or +33 (0)6 42 49 76 07
Clothing
Miscellaneous equipment
A comfortable 30-40 litre rucksack for your day's belongings (warm clothing, rain cape, water bottle, picnic box and cutlery, sun protection and identity papers) and some space for a picnic and snacks.
Your luggage is transported by a logistics vehicle from stage to stage. Your change of clothes should be grouped in one soft bag not exceeding 10kg! We particularly insist on the size and weight of your luggage: during your tour, it is handled by a driver several times a day (please think about their backs!) to be transported to refuges whose access is not always easy.
Use one piece of luggage per person, as grouping the belongings of two people in a single container generally results in excessive weight. It is better to have two 10kg bags than one 20kg bag!
Beware, luggage that is too heavy or too large will not be taken in charge by the drivers!