Best French hiking trails: Discover the Grand Canyon during 6 days
A superb 6-day tour in the Gorges du Verdon!
Select the dates of your stay and leave whenever you like with the freedom package.
This package includes a detailed roadbook, all the accommodation, breakfasts, and, if you wish to, half or full–board options can be added to it.
For those willing to carry a light backpack, luggage transportation is available as an extra.
Each day, you’ll hike between 4 and 7 hours.
Book online and don’t hesitate to contact us using the “chat” (bottom right of your screen).
Freedom Trekking Tour
- From 575 €
- 6D/5N
- Accommodation in lodges, chalets or inns
- From 16 years old
Enjoy an unforgettable 6-day hiking experience through the Gorges du Verdon, discovering its spectacular canyons and the exceptional landscapes of the Regional Nature Park.
Take off on an adventure and observe wild animals, from the most common to the rarest species. Breathtaking scenery with magnificent trails on the crests and at the bottom of the gorges, offering a variety of viewpoints and scales. Taste local produce and enjoy classic local dishes in authentic surroundings.
- ACTIVITIES: Hiking
- ENVIRONMENT: ridges, canyons, gorges, rivers, lakes
To book a stay, select the desired arrival date, this will automatically take into account the end of stay date.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Roaming freely in the Gorges du Verdon!
DAY 1 – FROM MOUSTIERS-SAINTE-MARIE TO THE GRAND CANYON
After a cab transfer from Moustiers-Sainte-Marie (one of France’s most beautiful villages), you’ll start your trek with a short day’s walk. It’s a relatively easy route to get you started, starting from Mairestre. You’ll take the Bastidon trail, a corniche path that follows the top of the cliffs, with ever-changing views over the gorges and numerous belvederes. This path will take you to La Maline, where you can spend the night in the heart of the Grand Canyon.
Distance: 10 km
Duration: 4 hrs.
Elevation: + 360 m / – 280 m
A sporty variant is possible via the Saint-Maurin Regional Nature Reserve, a magical place renowned for its many caves and waterfalls. An itinerary for experienced hikers.
DAY 2 –THE BLANC-MARTEL TRAIL
The famous trail of the Gorges du Verdon, named after two historic explorers of Europe’s largest canyon: Alfred-Edouard Martel and Isidore Blanc. From the Chalet de la Maline, you descend to the river at the bottom of the Gorges. In the heart of a setting marked by spectacular geology and a river of stunning color, you explore the superb Mescla beach. You’ll then climb the dizzying stairs of the Brèche Imbert and pass through two dark tunnels before ascending to Point Sublime (785 m) with its breathtaking view of the Grand Canyon. Then it’s just one kilometer to Rougon, a small village with breathtaking views, where you’ll spend the night.
Distance: 14 km
Duration: 7 hrs.
Elevation: + 780 m / – 700 m
DAY 3 –WATCHING LARGE GRIFFON VULTURES AT RANCOUMAS
You’ll cross the Verdon at the Tusset bridge and head for the heights along a seldom visited, shady path to discover a unique biotope. Be sure to observe the flora and fauna endemic to the Verdon. At the top of the path, you’ll overlook the Verdon (400 m below), with a magnificent view of the surrounding peaks. The Rancoumas belvedere is one of the few not to be bordered by a road, making it a peaceful spot for observation. If you’re lucky, you’ll get to see vultures circling overhead. Vultures can have a wingspan of over 2.50 m…impressive! After your hike, you return to the lodge in Rougon for your second night.
Distance : 10.5 km
Duration: 6 hrs.
Elevation: + 750 m / – 750 m
DAY 4 –THE CRETES DU GRAND MOURRE
Get ready for a long, splendid day’s walking, with close-up views of the highest points of the Parc Naturel Régional du Verdon. You’ll pass through a unique, wild and pastoral landscape, in stark contrast to the busy routes of the Gorges du Verdon. The Suech plateau, perched at an altitude of over 1,200 m, overlooks the village of Rougon, and its traverse takes you to the foot of the Mourre de Chanier (1,930 m). Finally, you’ll spend the night in a character house set in the heart of a vast farming estate, amidst pastures home to Angora goats, dairy goats and donkeys.
Distance: 13.5 km
Walking time: 7 hrs.
Difference in altitude: + 970 m / – 780 m
A more challenging variant is also possible, offering exceptional panoramic views from the great massifs of the Southern Alps to the Mediterranean Sea. An itinerary for experienced hikers.
DAY 5 –THE MONTDENIER CHAMOIS
On this day, you’ll climb to the summit of Le Pavillon at the eastern end of the Serre de Montdenier. This large grassy ridge offers exceptional panoramic views of the Ventoux, Lure, Sainte-Victoire, Luberon, Sainte-Baume, Mercantour and Écrins peaks, and of course the Sainte-Croix Lake!
It’s a great place to spot chamois. You then continue your walk down to Venascle at 950 m altitude. You’ll spend the night in a Provencal farmhouse in the heart of a 500-hectare estate.
Duration: 6 hours
Elevation: + 370 m / – 620 m
DAY 6 – PLEIN VOIR AND THE OURBES’ RIDGE
Get ready for a final day that will be no less exceptional. You’ll hike up to the Col de Plein Voir, the Col de l’âne and pace up and down the Ourbes’ Ridge. These last moments in the heights will reveal a grandiose spectacle on the ridge overlooking Sainte-Croix Lake. On the way back down, you’ll reach the village of Moustiers-Sainte-Marie for a well-deserved rest.
Distance: 15.5 km
Duration: 7.5 hrs.
Elevation: + 650 m / – 1030 m
DAY 7 –IF YOU HAVE CHOSEN AN EXTRA NIGHT
To round off your adventure, we suggest a swim and a visit to the magnificent village of Moustiers-Sainte-Marie. After a hearty breakfast, you pack up and leave your accommodation. The rest of the day is free to explore the surrounding area, including the charming village of Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, renowned for its beauty and picturesque character. Soak up the local atmosphere, visit its sights and discover its hidden treasures. You can also take the opportunity to take a dip in Sainte-Croix Lake, an ideal way to round off your stay in style.
Included
- Cab pick-up on day 1 from Moustiers-Sainte-Marie
- Accommodation
- Breakfasts
- Picnics (depending on option chosen)
- Dinners (depending on option chosen)
- Detailed roadbook to enable you to explore this trek in complete freedom
- Optional luggage transfer (please contact us for a quote)
Excluded
- Additional night in Moustiers-Sainte-Marie the day before the Trek or after the Trek: please contact us if you choose this option.
- Trekking equipment
- Travel insurance
- Medical insurance
* Hiking equipment to bring
- Light hiking shoes
- Trekking socks
- Silk or cotton meat bag
- Flip-flops/sneakers
- Lightweight pants and/or shorts
- Technical T-shirts
- Lightweight fleece jacket
- Gore-Tex jacket or k-way in case of rain
- Hat (depending on season)
- Light gloves (depending on season)
- Hiking poles (as desired)
- Sun cream, lip balm
- Sunglasses
- Hat/cap for sun protection
- Water pouches or classic water bottles – 3L per person
- Cutlery
- Mini-pharmacy for foot blisters (plasters, bandages)
- Tissues and toilet paper
- Toiletries (Marseille soap, toothpaste, toothbrush)
- Survival blanket
- Headlamp
- Compass
- Whistle
- Snacks (dried fruit, cereal bars) for energy dips
Do I need a car for this trek?
You don’t need a car for this trek. We’ll arrange a meeting point for you at the start of the trek that’s compatible with buses or cabs.
What level of fitness is required for the Freedom Trek?
This is a trekking tour, some sections of which can be demanding, and you’ll need to carry a backpack* with the essentials (clothes, picnic, water, survival kit, etc.). You must be in good health and physical condition to take part in this tour.
*We recommend a medium-sized backpack (30 to 40 liters) weighing no more than 12 kg for the duration of the trek.
How is luggage transport arranged?
Luggage transfer (available as an option) includes transportation for a reasonable size and weight bag. You’ll have access to your luggage to refresh the equipment you’ll be carrying in your backpack for your daily walks. Contact the Verdon Voyages team for a quote.
What accommodation during the tour in the Verdon Gorges?
We organize your accommodation in lodges, chalets and inns located in the heart of nature. For people traveling alone, we group participants together in shared bedrooms. For groups of two or more, we do our utmost to ensure that you have a private room whenever possible. When private rooms are not available, we provide comfortable dormitories. Sheets and blankets are provided, so please bring your own personal linen and toiletries.
Meals during your trek?
Breakfasts are included in your stay. If you choose the picnic and/or dinner options, the lodges and inns will prepare your meals for you. So you can enjoy a hearty dinner at the end of each day. Picnics will be distributed to you each morning, and you can enjoy them along the way at each stage.
Will there be network during the trek?
The lodges along the way have WIFI. Your roadbook will give you information on the network available at each stage. This service does not depend on us and may be unpredictable in mountainous areas. We therefore cannot guarantee it.
How do I register?
You can register online by paying a deposit of 30% of the total cost of your stay. Our teams will send you a payment link for the balance by D-15.
You express your choice of luggage transfer option at time of booking. Since a quote has to be made first and validated, payment of this option will happened at a later point.
Additional night on departure or arrival in Moustiers Sainte-Marie
You choose this option when you make your reservation. We will contact you to offer you the best option according to your budget and the season.
What are the safety conditions for this holiday?
When you register, you must confirm your age, fitness level and sporting ability. The Verdon Voyages team will be on hand to assist you if necessary.
In the event of bad weather or poor conditions?
The activities you are about to undertake depend on the weather. Verdon Voyages may therefore decide to cancel or modify part of the activity. Such cancellations are rare. Similarly, unforeseen high winds may lead Verdon Voyages to cancel the activity for safety reasons. In this case, we will propose an alternative route depending on weather conditions.
Cancellation policy :
- Before D-180 : Full refund
- Between D-180 and D-61: a handling fee of 5% of the reservation amount will be retained.
- Between D-60 and D-8: the deposit paid at the time of booking will be retained.
- After D-7: no refund will be made in the event of cancellation.
We therefore encourage you to plan your stay carefully and take all necessary precautions to avoid any unforeseen cancellations.
Experience trekking in the Gorges du Verdon! If you have any questions, please contact us using the “chat” at the bottom right of your screen. If necessary, leave us your contact details.
