Hike tour in the Verdon gorges Europe's grand canyon : starting from Nice trip

You start your trip from Nice. Direct bus to Castellane or you take the "train des pignes" from Nice to Saint André les Alpes ( train not included). The famous picturesque line of the " train des Pignes" connects the city of Nice to Digne - via the Verdon Gorges region -  4 times a day. You leave the French Riviera and cross the hinterland of Nice and the Alpes-de-Haute Provence, in an uninterrupted parade of rivers, mountains and gorges. 
Depending on your arrival time, you have the possibility of taking a short walk today. A walk along the paths and vegetation with the typical aromas of the South of France, to reach the wonderful little" Chapel of Notre Dame du Roc", dating from the 13th century, that protects and overlooks the village of Castellane, passing by the ruins of the ancient city of Petra Castellana and finishing the loop by the Pentagonal Tower.  Atop this majestic block of limestone overlooking the village, you will be amply rewarded for your climbing efforts with an orientation table and incredible 360° view of the gorges, a glimpse of the backwaters of the Verdon and the emerald colours of Lake Castillon. 

Walk :  Castellane > Notre dame du Roc > Castellane | 2h | 5km - 3 miles | Elevation : +250m / -250m
Meals included : breakfast
Night : Castellane

Morning market every Wednesday & Saturday morning in Castellane

Transfer to to the small shepherds village of Chasteuil (20 mn). You walk on the GR4 on an old Roman road on the heights of the deep Verdon valley. The path descends towards Rougon perched on a rocky spur above the famous gorges before reaching the famous Sublime Point.

Walk :  Chasteuil > Point Sublime | 3h | 8km - 5 miles | Elevation : +400m / -510m
Meals included : breakfast & picnic & dinner
Night : Point sublime

Please note :
It may be necessary to spend two nights at La Palud (if the Auberge du Point Sublime is not available) and to add transfers to and from La Palud. Please note that the restaurant at the Auberge du Point Sublime is not open every day. The usual closing days are Wednesday or Sunday but this can change during the season.  If you stay at the hotel when the restaurant is closed, you will be served a cold plate dinner.

You hike along old mule tracks at the bottom of the gorges as far as the Pont de Tusset before rising to the "Belvédère de Rancoumas": the belvedere is located at the edge of the big canyon of the Verdon. The view is exceptional ! You walk back to Point Sublime

Walk :  Point Sublime > Belvedere Rancoumas > Point Sublime  | 3h30-4h out and back | 15 km - 9 miles | Elevation : +650m / -650m
Meals included : breakfast & picnic & dinner
Night : Point sublime

. If you suffer from severe fear of heights, please contact us to get more information about the tour. There is no real danger, however the "belvedere of Rancoumas" is not safety equipped. A small natural parapet allows you to appreciate the view on the gorges (the sheer drop is immediate without barriers): people sensitive to vertigo should not go.

Today, you can start with an optional walk to the Samson corridor. Don't forget your flashlight and a small jacket: it's cool in the tunnels! You walk down to the entrance to the Verdon Gorge. First you pass the Point Sublime, one of the most impressive sites in the gorges. You then take a beautiful descent to the Samson corridor : as you go down, you can hear the Verdon River more and more, until you see its beautiful turquoise river. Finally, you discover the entrance to the Gorges du Verdon canyon that leads through the tunnels of the entrance of the famous "sentier Martel": you go towards the Samson corridor  carved out of the rock, and enter inside! You explore the tunnels and its 2 windows  carved into the rock  with magnificent views of the Verdon canyon and its breathtaking cliffs. You then walk back to Point sublime by a different trail
Then you continue with the walk of the day : You walk on the Baou path between cliffs and ravines to Rougon, a balcony dominating the Gorges, the ideal location for bird watching, especially vultures. You continue past hundred-year-old oak and beech trees as well as other plant species before admiring the gorges seen from above and the village of La Palud sur Verdon. 

Walk : 
. Optional walk : Point Sublime >  Samson Corridor > Point Sublime | 2h20 | 7 km - 4 miles | Elevation : +600m / -600m
. Walk : Point Sublime > La Palud | 2h30 | 7 km - 4 miles | Elevation : +260m / -430m
Meals included : breakfast & picnic 
Night : La Palud

Have an extra night in La Palud and ride with an Ebike along the unmissable "route des crêtes" ( Crest road). The loop ride is a 24km panoramic road starting in La Palud sur Verdon. It takes you on a circuit covering the crests of the Grand Canyon on heights up to 700 meters ! During your bike ride you will discover 14 Belvederes which will reveal the mythical cliffs of the Verdon and offer unforgettable viewpoints on the Grand Canyon.
Look out for local fauna (vultures, chamois, foxes...), or spot some climbers who ascend these splendid, vertiginous cliffs.
See the supplement for the bike rental in the "extension section" - Extra night upon request

Ride : La Palud > Route des Cretes > La Palud - 2h30 | 24km - 15 miles | Elevation : +650m / -650m

End of the trip after breakfast 

Meals included : breakfast 

Please note :

. If you suffer from severe fear of heights, please contact us to get more information about the tour. 
There is no real danger, however the "belvedere of Rancoumas" is not safety equipped. A small natural parapet allows you to appreciate the view on the gorges (the sheer drop is immediate without barriers): people sensitive to vertigo should not go.
. You have to be comfortable with walking on a mountainous terrain.
. You need good walking boots throughout the trip.
. The hikes take place on good paths for the most part, although they are sometimes steep and rocky in nature with some loose limestone.