Hiking in the Park of Verdon

The Verdon in some data :

Length	175 kms	LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY Easy Hard
Canyon	7 kms
Slope	6m / km
Distance from Cliff	80 m
Foot Spacing	8 m
Number of Fast	150

Nom	Durée	Difficulté	IGN	Longueur
Footpath " Martel "	6h
Equipment: - IGN - Water in sufficient quantity - Good walking shoes - Binoculars - Flashlight - Hat	Gradient: 230 m Start Location: Chalet de La Maline The bridge of the roller, eastern end of Lake St. Croix and head towards La Palud sur Verdon (D 952) and from there the ridge road D 23. Parking: Chalet de la Maline. Source.

Departure from the Chalet de la Maline (in the opposite direction, rising to 300m at the end of course!).
This Footpath descends rapidly to the bed of the Verdon it back for several kilometers to climb up about 150m then the breach of Imbert, descent using metal stairs (little difficulty for subjects with dizziness) . then lift 70m to reach the balcony of the Swallows. Then descent to the bed of Verdon (range Feres) Footpath then follows the side of the gorge in balcony and two tunnels crossing (100m and 670m, lights required) to reach the Point Sublime. Possible return by bus or taxi (shuttle in season).

This allows Footpath across a large portion of wild Gorges remained until discovered by A. Martel in 1905 and is prohibited under 10 and is very popular in summer because of its reputation.

Nom	Durée	Difficulté	IGN	Longueur
Footpath " La Charbonnière "	45mn			2 km
Equipment: - IGN - Water in sufficient quantity - Good walking shoes - Binoculars - Hat

Nom	Durée	Difficulté	IGN	Longueur
Footpath of the Roman Road	2h30mn			6 km
Equipment: - IGN - Water in sufficient quantity - Good walking shoes - Binoculars - Hat	Gradient: 350 m

Nom	Durée	Difficulté	IGN	Longueur
Footpath of " Vincel & les Hauts Plateaux "	4h			10 km
Equipment: - IGN - Water in sufficient quantity - Good walking shoes - Binoculars - Hat	Gradient : 400 m

Nom	Durée	Difficulté	IGN	Longueur
Footpath of "Gorges of Trévans "	5h		3441 OT	16 km
Equipment: - IGN - Water in sufficient quantity - Good walking shoes - Binoculars - Hat	Altitude: 976 m Gradient: 380 m On a beautiful, wild and yet easy-to-time. State-owned Biological Reserve Gorge Trevan, wildlife populated many species including some rare happiness of botanists. Bridges rebuilt, Footpaths well maintained, very clean surroundings.

The path starts from the car park at the foot of the ancient village of Trevani. He began the Estoublaïsse and gorges using multiple bridges on streams and a nice mule track through the woods. Before the hamlet of Vallebona, small meadow on the banks of the river, then up through the woods alone to lookout; beautiful view of a natural mountain environment. The path continues to the cantilevered castle ruins Trevani. A rapid descent is then used to reach the parking lot. Ce circuit peut s'effectuer même par fortes chaleur car il est situé au nord du massif montagneux, il s'effectue en grande partie à l'ombre et avec une forte présence de l'eau. Plan des différents circuits au départ du chemin.

Nom	Durée	Difficulté	IGN	Longueur
Footpath of " Mont Chiran "	6h			15 km
Equipment: - IGN - Water in sufficient quantity - Good walking shoes - Binoculars - Hat	Gradient : 850 m

Majastre to follow north of the church the path marked in yellow and red towards the Col de Villard. Climb by the collar of St. Saviour Road joins the Plan of La Trappe. Through pastures we reach the hut of Father Naisse, then a steady climb, we reached the summit in an hour of Chiran.

Nom	Durée	Difficulté	IGN	Longueur
Footpath " Crètes of l'Ourbès "	5h			10 km
Equipment: - IGN - Water in sufficient quantity - Good walking shoes - Binoculars - Hat	Gradient: 750 m Start Location: Parking at the start of the D 952 Before arriving in Moustier Sainte Marie, leaving the D 957 to D 952 towards Castellane. The GR 4 passes there, cutting the hairpin turns and leaves the D 952 in the 3rd corner, 400 m after the crossroads. Park on the landscaped areas around it.

Ourbès peaks of more than the wide margins, offer hiking air an eye on the horizon, Lake St. Croix, trays Barbin, de Riez, Mourre Chania .... another look at the bottom, below the feet of the waterway of the Verdon, terraced fields on the cliffs .... Throughout the Footpath a myriad of vantage points: forest, beech or beech fir forest and fauna, chamois, justify the early rising. The resting places of chamois, marked their defecation in the cliff, are the best vantage points of the Verdon. They are like us, leaning on their balconies, in the morning. The parking lot, bypassing the GR's career and goes to the cliff gradually gaining altitude. From there you should follow the ridges, up and down at their own pace, without the neck of the donkey and cross a short vegetation times and sometimes of great luxuriance. The GR leaves the ridge half way to go in the plain of Barbin. Prefer the route with the air leak at the feet, the castle Aiguines and Lake Ste Croix against the bottom. All the way the view is beautiful, and the perception of the actual depth of the canyon, which captures only half when "is gorges", is staggering. Full View of the summit is marked by a pillar. Above the hut Cantoniera, and the cave of St Maurin, a Footpath plunge through trees and rocks to reach the lower floor. For the return, I preferred to return to the Col de l'Ane and hitting up a track which joins the D 952 over the ruin of Chauvin. ...

Nom	Durée	Difficulté	IGN	Longueur
Mayreste of the cascade of St Maurin	4h30			km
Equipment: - IGN - Water in sufficient quantity - Good walking shoes - Binoculars - Hat	Gradient: 260 m Start Location: Col de l'olivier. The bridge of the roller, then, before reaching Moustiers, take the D 952 which leads to the Pallud. Stop at a place called Pass the olive tree. Parking: Just before the farm Mayreste instead said neck of the olive tree.

In the most "American of all the canyons of the Old World" is on the rocks and cliffs that are the richest flora and most original. Endemic ferns, rare plants such as stonecrop fragrant rampion de Villars, the sandwort Verdon. The cliffs hide the thick saxifrage flowers beautiful, the home to the Delphinium in wood split, the lily and lily Martagon Pompone. The neck, take that starts Footpath east and falls below the firm Mayreste. In a projection down the valley of the brand Brusc: a source, against the bottom, reasons on the stones. Under the cliff the way Mayreste offers two directions: to the west towards the Water Street, beginning on Lake St. Croix and east toward the top of the gorge. Take first to the East: Footpath leading to Verdon, at the site of the old bridge Mayreste. Ford and 200 m back on the course of the stream: potholes, boulders, trout, chub, barbel .. everything is sight! Welcome and swimming: in contrast to the Street of water there is no mud on the banks. Retrace his steps and take the direction of the Street of water: Footpath near the shade of the maples and oaks. It leads to the waterfall below St Maurin, giant cauliflower tuff coated foam ... Water is everywhere and the increase is by a string of flats like the giant steps of a staircase leading to the grassy CANTONIERE House. From there, either cross the road and continue the ascension to the resurgence of St Maurin, new estates fragrant meadows, springs, waterfalls and crossing of an old walnut plantation (a 30 minute round trip). Either join the neck of the olive tree, following the D 952 an eye on the parapet, the other at the bottom of the gorge ...

Nom	Durée	Difficulté	IGN	Longueur
Trigance to Rancoumas	6h			km
Equipment: - IGN - Water in sufficient quantity - Good walking shoes - Binoculars - Hat	Gradient: 600 m Start Location: Follow the D 955 which connects to Comps sur Artuby Castellane. It passes the foot of the hilltop village of Trigance, its castle and its flags. Parked in the car park and free entry to the village.

Plateau steppe Canjuers which runs in front of the castle Trigance, cold and wet forests of beech and fir trees that cover the shady side of the Gorges du Verdon, the walk through the viewpoint Trescaire brings together all the contrasts soil and exposure create a Mediterranean climate. In these places abandonment wild boar, chamois, deer, lynx and wolves reconstitute their territory. After them raptors inhabit the cliffs, buzzard, short-toed white Jean ... A pair of golden eagles and a pair of peregrine falcons nesting there. The lookout offers a view Rancoumas Saisse the Verdon, 400 feet below, where the passage of Footpath Martel is that trait of ant. A spring flows even in summer, near the restored ruins of Encastel. From the car park into the village and the plot to the GR, red and white markings, which follows the historic Footpath. Among the thyme and marjoram the Footpath rises to the valley of South and found pine, boxwood, oak ... A well hidden a source at the mouth on the set of Entreverges. Footpath then dips to the Verdon. In the descent to cross a barrier NFB, do not take the track on the left bearing the sign "dead-end" but 100m further to the Footpath on the left side by a ridge, joined the lookout Rancoumas said. The source is 200m from the junction (to find it follow the pipe at the foot of the ruin of Encastel). From the balcony of Trescaire, view of the Verdon, the sublime point, the Duke, and all that climbing routes as the "Pillar sublime" offer lots of exercises sometimes beyond the vertical ... From the lookout pass under the cave and take the Footpath in the thalweg. It joins the GR 49 on the way down to the bridge Tusset. A single arch, a particularly fine deck, but resistance to some time! With the usual precautions, always possible release of water, bathing in the Verdon is always appreciated even if it is often cool! Follow on the other side the GR to the road down to the Verdon. Back to the D 952, through the tunnel and follow the parapet of 1.5 km to the bridge of Carajuan. Pleasant walk, lovely views of the gorge. Reach the left bank of the bridge Carajuan. A rest area is arranged along the Verdon. An easy trail leads to 4 km to the village of Trigance. The track reached just before the village, a road to this road on the right: it leads to the east of the village and avoids having to make all rise to the parking lot. ...

Nom	Durée	Difficulté	IGN	Longueur
Footpath of the snout of the hill	45mn			4 km
Equipment: - IGN - Water in sufficient quantity - Good walking shoes - Binoculars - Hat

Nom	Durée	Difficulté	IGN	Longueur
Footpath in the Lower Gorge Baudinard	2h30mn			8 km
Equipment: - IGN - Water in sufficient quantity - Good walking shoes - Binoculars - Hat

By browsing this Footpath, you will dominate the Lower Gorge Baudinard and enjoy a panoramic view of the dam below, which is responsible for the creation of Lake St. Croix in 1973. You will observe, on the cliffs on the other side of the Verdon, impressive caves. At the exit of the gorges, enjoy the small lake of Montpezat before returning with a loop at the point of départ.GR 99, following the course to the Grand Canyon du Verdon.

Nom	Durée	Difficulté	IGN	Longueur
Footpath of " Pécheur "	2h30mn			6 km
Equipment: - IGN - Water in sufficient quantity - Good walking shoes - Binoculars - Hat

Out from the Gorges road (Moustiers-La Palud) to the neck of the olive tree, follow the sign "path of the sinner" and marking jaune.Cette walk provides access to the bed of the Verdon runs along it for more 2 km. In the end, after the waterfall the only difficulty is in a climb, at times, rough towards the house of Cantoniera. In the middle of the journey, a passage of about ten meters on talus boulders (to keep cables) is not recommended this hike to small children.

Nom	Durée	Difficulté	IGN	Longueur
Footpath of "Bastidon "	6h			15 km
Equipment: - IGN - Water in sufficient quantity - Good walking shoes - Binoculars - Hat

The start of the tour is starting from the tag Bastidon Footpath located between La Palud sur Verdon and the Chalet de la Maline. Footpath starts in the forest and on a downward slope from relatively high altitude of 118m which is almost all of the descent route. On this road we have "oh surprise," cross a chamois that has adapted to the natural areas of the Verdon. Arrived quickly at the bottom of the ravine, we have to go the whole slope to reach the opposite collar vaults Emeralds. This passage is rather dry and warm if the sun is present. From these arches that completeness of the gorge is the most visible including the discovery of the headline and the Low Beam to the keel. We can regret not see the river Verdon show that adds an extra charm to the place. The drop is then mounted in a relatively regular melee sluggish sometimes slight downhill. The Footpath follows the cliff to the right, left by corrosion, leaving a passage sometimes narrow for us hikers. The plants are sufficiently present so as not to suffer often unbearable heat in summer. The more we advance in this place as pretty austere controlled by its aridity, the more we see and admire it, on the cliff opposite the splendid rocky spikes beyond delicious in the forest. We are very close to the precipice now and some parts will be using handrails including the passage of Fern Gully, but no matter, the scenery is spectacular gorges and walk in it is a revelation. The last passage is a little more intense but no more. It only takes little time now to access the parking Mairestre. It is here that you can see on your left, the end of the Gorges du Verdon and the gazebo and the Ford of Mairestre. You arrive at the parking now, you will take the car to go for it parked at the start of the hike. Hiking in the spectacular Gorges du Verdon. You hike in the middle of cliffs over 300m high as impressive as those which follow spears rock next to each other. Be careful, this hike can be difficult for young children.

Nom	Durée	Difficulté	IGN	Longueur
Footpath du Lézard	3h			5 km
Equipment: - IGN - Water in sufficient quantity - Good walking shoes - Binoculars - Hat	Gradient : 50 m

This discovery Footpath (use the guide published by the Park of Verdon) from the parking lot of Point Sublime to snake around the Verdon. It allows for about fifteen steps to know the flora, fauna and history of Verdon. It is a journey to recommend especially for families.

Nom	Durée	Difficulté	IGN	Longueur
Footpathof "Plateau Barbin "	4h		3442 OT	km
Equipment: - IGN - Water in sufficient quantity - Good walking shoes - Binoculars - Hat

The start of the hike is in the first hairpin upstream of the parking Mairestre. You will discover here a tag that will tell you access to the plateau of Barbin, path marked in yellow. After Footpath flushed, the slope starts strong with no respite to the plateau. You will need to cross the ravine Grinhan about 400m in altitude in a harsh and barren slope to reach the plain of Barbin. The vertical drop is important, the ascent is rather fast. By returning, you can enjoy this beautiful isolated house, with its ruined castle, located opposite the circus Vaulame. Crossed the ravine, the slope is more enjoyable in a large coniferous vegetation. From there, the forest will become omnipresent shadow and bringing you fresh for the rest of the hike. A little further on, a tag will take you to the right towards the Palud now via the GR4. The elevation gain is still present but is now softer. The place is unique and refreshing, the forest is smooth and easy it is to get away and think about nothing. Conifers leave room for large area with beautiful poplar and other hardwood species before taking possession. After a good hour's walk, a tag tells you, always on the right direction to take to find the village of La Palud to 45 minutes away. The forest is all of a sudden become scarce to display on the left part of the cliffs of the gorge. Little later, the whole mass of the Verdon in a wide panorama to be discovered. These spaces give you the range of opportunities to hike in the area. The altitude has changed sides also make us go now to the village of La Palud. The descent will be fast enough with this broad vision of the Verdon region. You will then return to La Palud to find the center of town and your car parked nearby. After a refreshing certainly deserved the village, take your car to the left to get parking Mairestre.Randonnée very nice in the middle of the forest of the gorges of Verdon. After a fairly tough climb, you will discover old oak and beech and other species of plants before discovering the gorges and upper views of the village of La Palud sur Verdon.

Nom	Durée	Difficulté	IGN	Longueur
Footpath of "Imbut "	5h			13 km
Equipment: - carte IGN - Water in sufficient quantity - Good walking shoes - Binoculars - Hat	Gradient: 270 m Start Location: Inn of the Cavaliers. Skip Aiguines, hilltop village overlooking the lake of Ste Croix, follow the D 71 to the Inn of the Cavaliers. Parking: Parking next to the Inn of the Cavaliers.Dénivellation : 270 m Lieu de départ : Auberge des Cavaliers. Passer Aiguines, village perché dominant le lac de Ste Croix, suivre la D 71 jusqu'à l'Auberge des Cavaliers. Stationnement : Parking voisin de l'Auberge des Cavaliers.

Departure from the parking lot of the riders, the Footpath descends rapidly to the bed of the Verdon and down about 5 kms, several passages in cornice and aplomb secured by metal cables. It ends the chaos of Imbut, large funnel disappears when the Verdon. The return can be done by the Footpath Vidal (more difficult path and a path along the D 71, otherwise return the same way as the first leg. The Footpath is more difficult than the Footpath Martel but it is more dramatic, however, to borrow than experienced and properly equipped.

Nom	Durée	Difficulté	IGN	Longueur
Footpath of "Grand Margès "	5h			10 km
Equipment: - carte IGN - Water in sufficient quantity - Good walking shoes - Binoculars - Hat	Gradient: 710 m Start Location: The Camping de l'Aigle From Aiguines, overlooking the village, southeast of Lake St. Croix Aiguines cross towards the Gorges du Verdon. Past the chapel overlooking the village (great view) stop just opposite the campsite of the Eagle. Parking. The Footpath starts there.

The top of the Margins (1577m) dominates the Gorges du Verdon and offers stunning views 180 degrees. Two paths allow to rise since the end of the village of Aiguines, or from the car park on the D71 site called "small forest". The first path rises quickly in a way sometimes to the top of steep Well, several escarpments then lead to the top of marg. The second path rises more slowly through the woods before reaching the plateau of the adhesive, and then by a succession of several "ridges" on reached the summit of marg. The markup is yellow, the Footpath goes balcony with superb views in a row on the Great Gorge, through vegetation consists mostly of boxwood. Le Verdon, which takes its name from its transparent green water flows parallel to Footpath, 300 m lower. After the locality "la Faye," is reached and then passed through a rocky pass in a very delicate here should not be subject to vertigo, a huge gap on the left wall to the right and the gravel does Footpath only 50 inches wide ... This about 60 m. This hurdle, the Footpath just end up in a first and second pin of the D71 (dimensions 948 and 958). The GR99 passes by: borrow and climb towards the Garimbau No, for a vertical drop of 300 m. Very stiff, very hard. Finally, 3:00 after the departure of parking, this sacred cervix is ​​reached. Suitable location for restoration and rest. From here, one enters the military camps Canjuers. Stay on the Footpath towards North-East (single pass allowed), one is on the GR99 passing through a thicket of shrubs and rare cades. A mix of climbs and descents, turns and turns ... it seems that it never ends! And finally, the ridge that runs along it, enjoying a last glance of the beautiful view of the Verdon. Down (North) Footpath winds up with a height of a Dollin. Here you turn right, leaving the GR to the meeting of a new fork: go straight ahead. It penetrates the wood, the descent is endless and tired after all the efforts of the day. Coming out of wood, a cairn occur: take a small Footpath marked yellow on the right, past the carcass of an old car, the D71 is nearby. To go to reach the car park located at 10 '. Superb ride, but not recommended for people prone to vertigo. For good walkers as stamina.

Copyright © 2005 " La Farigoule " by Patrick JUNG