Self-guided · Provence, France
France's Grand Canyon,
walked rim to river
and back again.
A week around the wild plateaus and turquoise gorges of the Verdon — perched villages, cliff-hung trails, the scent of lavender and pine, and the Mediterranean never far behind it.
- Days
- 6
- Distance
- 71 km
- Ascent
- 4,180 m
- Grade
- Moderate to challenging
Trip Essentials
The walk
Around the most
beautiful canyon in France.
The Verdon sits in the borderlands between the Alps and Provence, a wild plateau country cut through by one river and its extraordinary gorge — cliffs of grey and orange limestone up to 700 metres deep, with a river running turquoise-green far below. It's part of a Regional Natural Park and a Geological Reserve, and it's home to some of the loveliest perched villages in the south of France.
This six-day circuit starts in the honey-coloured village of Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, crosses open ridges and desert plateaus, and drops into the canyon itself along the legendary Sentier Martel — a route of ladders, tunnels and balconies carved by the river's first explorers. From there it climbs back out through Trigance, Castellane, the ruined ridge-top site of the Cadières de Brandis, and a scatter of half-hidden villages before returning to Moustiers.
Every night is booked in a gîte or small hotel with dinner waiting, and you walk with just a daypack if you take the luggage transfer option. Expect scrubland and forest, wide desert-like plateaus, and always, somewhere below, that improbable green water.
The route, day by day.
A fixed self-guided package: every stage, every night's accommodation and every luggage transfer is arranged before you set off.
- 01
Moustiers-Sainte-Marie → La Palud-sur-Verdon
6 h · +950 m / −700 m · 15 kmDepart the protected village of Moustiers and climb to the ridge at the Col de Plein Voir, with the first views south over the park and the Sainte-Croix lake. The path follows the ridge before dropping into the village of La Palud. Night in a gîte.
- 02
The Sentier Blanc-Martel
5.5 h · +700 m / −800 m · 12 kmA short local bus transfer to La Maline, the starting point for the day. Descend to the river and follow the Sentier Martel through a run of evocatively named places — the Samson corridor, the Escalès cliff, the Défilé des Baumes — past viewpoints, staircases and tunnels cut into the rock. A short climb at the end of the day to the Auberge Sublime. Night in a gîte.
- 03
Trigance → Castellane
5.5 h · +700 m / −950 m · 15 kmFollow the Verdon river briefly before leaving it behind, with time to detour to the Rancoumas belvedere for a fine view over the gorges. Cross the village of Trigance beneath its castle, then descend to the Carajuan bridge above the Jabron gorges — an optional detour to the little Sautet bridge gives a view over the Jabron's limestone meanders. Bus or taxi transfer on to Castellane, a pleasant small southern town.
- 04
Cadières de Brandis
6 h · +800 m / −950 m · around 11 kmAn optional taxi transfer up to the Col de Lèques above Castellane. Climb through a fine forest of oak and Scots pine to the ridge at the Cadières de Brandis, a striking ruined site well worth the stop, then continue along a wild ridge to the summit at 1,741 m for a wide panorama of gorges and valleys. Descend to Colle Basse and on into the valley to the secluded village of Blieux. Night in a gîte — luggage is not transferred this day.
- 05
Blieux → Rougon
4.5 h · +750 m / −700 m · 12 kmClimb to the Passage de la Prau, between the Mourre de Chanier (1,930 m) and the Traversières ridge, then descend to the cliff-top village of Rougon for the night — under the flight path of the vultures returning to roost.
- 06
Rougon → La Palud-sur-Verdon
3 h · +280 m / −220 m · 6 kmA gentle final morning on a pastoral path, with a stop at the Bergerie de Faucon animal reserve, before reaching La Palud. Trip ends around midday, with a local bus (or optional taxi) back to Moustiers.
Where you'll stay
A good bed at the end of every day.
Comfort accommodation throughout — five nights in gîtes and small hotels, in rooms for two or three, all with hot showers. On night four, your main luggage stays behind a day (it catches you up the day after), so you'll want to carry a small overnight kit for that one stop.
Getting there
Nearest stations: Nice, Marseille, Grenoble or Geneva, each with onward bus connections to Moustiers-Sainte-Marie. We can help you plan the journey in and the return from La Palud at the end.
What's included?
A fixed self-guided package — accommodation, luggage transfer and route notes all taken care of before you arrive.
Five nights half-board in gîtes and small hotels, twin/triple rooms
Route notes and IGN maps (one road-book per group)
Daily luggage transfer, if booked (except day 4)
Organisational costs and tourist taxes
All planning, booking and support before and during the walk
Not included
- Picnic lunches (orderable the evening before at each accommodation)
- Luggage transfer, unless booked as an add-on
- Local bus and taxi transfers on days 2, 3 and 4
- Personal expenses, drinks, souvenirs, cancellation insurance
- Guiding — this is a self-guided tour, you are responsible for your own safety
Book your Verdon Natural Park — 6 days (comfort) adventure.
- Free cancellation to 60 days
- Confirmation within 24 hrs
- ABTOT financially protected
We'll start planning your trip right away. Not happy with anything? We'll adjust it or refund you — no questions asked.
The Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Limited (ABTOT) provides financial protection under The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 for Big Trail Adventures (member 5690). Protection is provided for non-flight packages. Full details in our booking conditions.
Things walkers ask us.
Is it really self-guided? What if something goes wrong?
Yes — you walk without a guide, using a detailed road-book and IGN maps. You'll have a contact number for the whole trip in case of a weather change, injury or booking issue. Big Trail Adventures is your first point of contact from the moment you enquire.
How fit do I need to be?
Level 3 out of 4. Expect four to six-and-a-half hours of walking a day with up to 950 metres of ascent, on clear mountain paths with a few ladders and cables on day 2. If you're comfortable with a full day out in the hills at home, you'll manage this well. Regular cardio in the months before — hiking, running or cycling — helps a lot.
Can I book for one person?
Yes, with a single-person supplement. Rooms are for two or three people, so solo walkers may share or pay the supplement for their own space. Tell us on the enquiry form and we'll quote accordingly.
When can I start?
The season runs from May to October. Give us three or four preferred dates on the enquiry form and we'll come back with what's available.
Do you handle payments and refunds?
Yes. You book with Big Trail Adventures, pay us, and we handle the rest. Cancellation terms are set out in our booking conditions.