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.
Departure from May to October 2023
6-day comfort tour (5 nights with half-board formula, 2-star hotel or gite, bedrooms for 2 to 3 people)
Single departure, please contact us.
Without luggage transport
530€ per person
With luggage transport (except day 4)
2/3 people : 730€ per person
4/5 people: 630€ per person
6 persons and more: 595€ per person
In option, taxi transfers on day 2, 3 and 4 and the transfer the last day, from La Pallud to Moustiers Sainte Marie :
- 180€ for the group, 1 to 4 people
- 245€ for the group, 5 to 8 people
In option, 3-star hotel in La Pallud (with spa), in Trigance (medieval castle) and in Castellane (hotel with pool). Please 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 "Col de Plein Voir". First viewpoint on the south of the park and the Sainte Croix lake. The path goes on the ridge before descending into the beautiful village of La Palud. Night in gite.
6 hour walk / Elevation: +950m - 700m 15 km
SENTIER BLANC MARTEL
Short transfer to "La Maline" with the local bus, departure point 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 all along the day. At the end of the day, short ascent to the "Auberge Sublime". Night in gite.
5:30 hour walk / Elevation: +700m - 800m ; 12 km
TRIGANCE - CASTELLANE
Going back along the Verdon river, that we leave quickly. A little orientation time allows to discover the belvedere of Rancoumas, for a point of view on the gorges. Crossing Trigance village, dominated by a beautiful castle. Going down to the Carajuan bridge, above the Jabron gorges. In option, detour to the small bridge of Sautet for the view on the limestone meanders of the Jabron. At the Carajuan bridge, bus transfer to Castellane (16km), a pleasant little southern town.
5:30 hour walk / Elevation: +700m - 950m 15km
CADIERES DE BRANDIS
Taxi transfer to "Col de Lèques" above Castellane (10km) (in option). Going up in a great forest of oaks and scots pines, then arriving on the ridge at Cadières de Brandis, a remarkable ruinous site that deserves a 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 Blieux village, that is lost in a beautiful valley. In option hike from Castellane to Colle Basse by the Roman way. Night in gite, without luggage.
6 hour walk / Elevation: +800m - 950m ; around 11 km
BLIEUX - ROUGON
Going up to "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 Rougon village, for a night in a gite, under the flight of the vultures which return to the fold !
4:30 hour walk / Elevation: +750m - 700m 12 km
2 hour walk / Elevation: +450m - 450m 3 km for the summit of Mourre
ROUGON - LA PALLUD
Departure by a pastoral path and stop at the "Bergerie de Faucon" for a little visit of the animals reserve. Then reaching La Palud village.
3 hour walk / Elevation: +280m - 220m 6 km
End of the trip around 12:00 at La Pallud. Transfer to Moustiers with a local bus (17km) (taxi transfer in option).
Elevation : +/- 550m to 900m
Walking time : 4 to 6:30 hour per day
Type of walk : mountain route with no technical difficulty. Some spots require to be confident with cables and scales on the day 2. One unmarked passage on the ridge (day 4).
Before departure, we will give you a travel pack containing :
Two options :
Without luggage transport: you carry all your luggage
With luggage transport: your luggage is daily transported to your accommodation, except day 4)
COMFORT :
5 nights in hotel or gite in a bedroom for 2 to 3 people, all the accommodations offer hot showers.
Breakfasts and dinners are provided in each accommodation.
Picnic lunches are not included and can be ordered the day before in each accommodation.
Departure from may to october.
Start of the hike in Moustiers St Marie.
BY TRAIN
From Geneva SNCF train station, Grenoble, Nice and Marseille and then bus to Moustiers. https://www.moustiers.fr/fr/acces.
Timetables must be verified on the website SNCF.
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 exept on day 4. 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!