Looking for the best hikes in the Verdon without spending hours comparing routes? Whether you want to explore the legendary Blanc-Martel Trail, take an easy family hike, or tackle a more challenging route, our guide will help you choose the hike that best suits your skill level and the time you have available.
Which hike should you choose in the Verdon: Find your route at a glance
Most visitors ask themselves the same question: Which hike offers the best experience?
| Are you looking for… | The right hike to choose |
|---|---|
| The most spectacular | Blanc-Martel Trail |
| The Wildest | Imbut Trail |
| An easy hike | Point Sublime |
| The shortest and most impressive | Samson Corridor |
| A family hike | Lower Gorges |
| Avoid the crowds | Bastidon Trail |
To plan a trip centered around hiking, check out our guide to things to do in the Gorges du Verdon.
The most beautiful hikes in the Gorges du Verdon: depending on your schedule and skill level
For those exploring the Verdon for the first time, these trails offer hikers a comprehensive overview of the region, ranging from the most accessible paths to the most challenging routes.
Blanc-Martel Trail: the must-do hike
If I had to choose just one, it would be this one.
- Distance: 15 km (one way)
- Duration: 5.5 to 7 hours, depending on the pace (including breaks)
- Elevation gain: 600 m
- Difficulty: Intermediate to difficult
- Starting point: Chalet de la Maline, La Palud-sur-Verdon (Route des Crêtes D23)
- Finish: Point Sublime (Rougon)
- Parking: La Palud-sur-Verdon village, paid parking, Blanc-Martel shuttle to the trailhead
- Open: April through mid-November
The Blanc-Martel Trail connects the Chalet de la Maline to Point Sublime. It is the only hike that takes you deep into the gorges for such a long stretch, bringing you as close as possible to the Verdon River.
You’ll alternate between rocky sections, tunnels, metal staircases, and dizzying lookouts. Be sure to bring a headlamp from the start: the tunnels come sooner than you think (the longest is 670 meters).
Our tip: Leave before 8:30 a.m. You’ll avoid the sweltering heat and, best of all, you’ll have the first scenic overlooks all to yourself. The parking lot fills up quickly in the summer.
Please note: This route is not a loop. Without the shuttle, you will need to arrange for a taxi or two vehicles. Once you set out, there are no water sources or restrooms until you reach the finish. Reservations are required at least 24 hours in advance at navette.parcduverdon.fr
Bastidon Trail: the best compromise halfway up the gorge
Want to avoid the crowds without missing out on the views?
- Distance: 15.3 km (loop)
- Duration: 7 hours
- Elevation gain: 887 m
- Difficulty: Hard
- Starting point: The village of La Palud-sur-Verdon
- Parking: Along the D23 in the village (free)
The Bastidon Trail runs along the gorge on natural ledges. Throughout the hike, the sweeping views of the canyon allow you to enjoy the Verdon in a much more peaceful setting.
Unlike the Blanc-Martel, you won’t encounter many hikers. A few sections with handrails require caution, but the trail is suited for intermediate to advanced hikers.
Our tip: Start at the Mayreste lookout point so you can tackle the climb in the morning shade. In September, early in the day, you’ll often be alone on the trail while everyone else heads for Blanc-Martel.
The Lower Gorges: The Surprise of the Verdon
Away from the hustle and bustle of Lake Sainte-Croix, an easy hike along the Garde Canal de Quinson trail. Perfect for children and families.
- Distance: ~10 km (loop)
- Duration: 3.5 to 4 hours (including breaks)
- Elevation gain: 250 to 300 meters
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate
- Starting point: Quinson Bridge; free parking near the bridge or the Museum of Prehistory
Starting in Quinson, this loop trail follows a turquoise-colored body of water through a landscape that is more gentle than that of the Grand Canyon. The scenery alternates between cliffs, Mediterranean forest, and stretches along the water’s edge.
The trail partly follows the old Verdon Canal, dug by convicts in the 19th century to supply water to Aix-en-Provence. It’s a historical detail that children remember well. The route leads to the Chapel of Sainte-Maxime.
Our tip: Arrive around 8:30 a.m.—it’s completely peaceful, with a light mist over the lake and emerald-green water. Bring a hat for the plateau section, which is exposed to the sun. And if the small parking lot by the bridge is full, park in the village, which is a 10-minute walk away.
Imbut Trail: The Verdon in its raw state
⚠️ Warning: This trail has been closed by municipal order since July 2022 for an indefinite period due to rockfalls. However, it remains one of the most beautiful hikes in the Verdon on paper. Check the Verdon Regional Nature Park website for updates on its reopening before planning your hike.
- Distance: 10 to 11 km
- Duration: 4 to 6 hours
- Elevation gain: ~400 m
- Difficulty: Hard
- Starting point: Parking des Cavaliers, Route D71, Aiguines (below the Grand Canyon hotel and restaurant)
The Imbut Trail winds its way down into the wildest parts of the canyon.
The highlight of the trail is the Chaos de l’Imbut, where the Verdon literally disappears beneath a pile of boulders. The atmosphere is rugged, dark, and more immersive than on most other trails.
Easy hikes in the Verdon
You don’t have to be an experienced hiker to explore the Verdon. There are several accessible trails that let you discover the Verdon Regional Nature Park without much effort, while still offering spectacular scenery.
The Point Sublime Lookout: the best view-to-effort ratio
There is a paid parking lot on site during the high season, making it easy to get there. From there, it’s just a short 15-minute walk to the lookout point and its stunning view. You can then take your time walking back along the same path.
- Distance: 2 km round trip
- Duration: 15 to 30 minutes
- Elevation gain: 50 m
- Difficulty: Very easy
- Starting point: Point Sublime parking lot, Rougon (D952 between Castellane and La Palud)
- Parking: Paid parking during the season, with rates that decrease based on duration; intended for short visits. For a full day, use the Couloir Samson parking lot (daily rate)
From the parking lot, it’s just a 10- to 15-minute walk to one of the most breathtaking views of the Verdon. The view looks straight down into the canyon’s entrance and the Escalès cliffs, which rise 400 meters high.
Our tip: Many visitors stop at the first lookout point. Keep going for another 5 minutes. The second viewpoint, above the Samson Couloir, is even more breathtaking and almost always less crowded.
Samson Corridor: the shortest and most dizzying
A two-hour hike from Rougon to one of the most spectacular views of the canyon.
- Distance: 3 km (round trip)
- Duration: 2 hours
- Elevation gain: 80 m
- Difficulty: Easy, suitable for all skill levels
- Starting point: Point Sublime parking lot, Rougon (D952)
- Parking: Paid parking during the season or parking at Couloir Samson (daily rate)
The Samson Corridor marksthe entrance to the Grand Canyon, where the Verdon River winds its way between two 400-meter-high cliffs. The trail follows a section of the Blanc-Martel route and passes through two tunnels carved into the rock, leading to the Trescaïre overlook.
This is the perfect option if you don’t have a whole day to spare, or if you’d like to combine it with a visit to Point Sublime from the same parking lot.
Our tip: Bring a headlamp and a light jacket, because the tunnels are long—it’s pitch black just a few meters in—and cool even in the middle of summer.
2-Day Hiking Itinerary in the Verdon
Over the course of a weekend, experience two different sides of the Verdon: the canyon on the first day, followed by the lower gorges the next day, which are gentler and more Mediterranean in character.
Day 1: Blanc-Martel Trail
Spend your first day on the Verdon’s most iconic hike. Book your shuttle the day before, pack a headlamp, and set off before 8:30 a.m. It’s the most immersive way to experience the area for the first time.
Day 2: The Lower Gorges
End your day at a more leisurely pace, starting from Quinson. The atmosphere is different—more Mediterranean, more peaceful—and you can spend the rest of the afternoon by the lake.
Where should I stay if I’m hiking in the Verdon? Camping La Pinède welcomes hikers
To get the most out of your hikes, it’s best to stay near the gorges. Camping La Pinède in Gréoux-les-Bains is ideally located for exploring the Verdon.
You can choose between a nature campground in the Verdon for an outdoor experience or a mobile home rental for more comfort.
Hikers traveling light will also appreciate the tent sites, located near the main trails of the Verdon.
