The essentials of Verdon

The trail starts in the forest and on a downward slope of 118 m at a relatively high altitude that corresponds to almost the entire descent of the route. Arriving very quickly at the bottom of the ravine, you will have to go up the entire altitude difference to reach the opposite pass of the Emerald Vaults. This passage is rather arid and hot if the sun is present. It is from these vaults that the entirety of the Gorges is the most visible, including the discovery of Basse Ralingue and Bau de la Quille. Spectacular hike in the Gorges du Verdon. You hike in the middle of cliffs over 300 m high as impressive as these rocky peaks that follow one another next to the other.
4 to 5 hours of walking. Height difference: + 500 m

J3 - Brandis's Cadières
The visit of the dolomite ridge of Cadières de Brandis, which rises its tall stature above the Gorges du Verdon like an immense feudal castle, with the added bonus of climbing the summit of Pré Chauvin. The Cadiéres are sumptuous cliffs, very romantic, similar to the crack knights.
You can go up there by various routes; the one that leaves from Chasteuil and takes the old Roman road that connects Castellane to Moustiers. We first visit Saint-Jean, the chapel with its luminous silence, perched like a Greek anchorite's hermitage; then we go up to Brandis (a strictly forbidden hamlet, occupied by the “friends of Brandis" (sic)) and up to the PTT relay. The path passes behind Les Cadiéres and continues west in a natural forest and marbled rocks (uncertain blue markings and fragile environment) to the Chauvin meadow (1741m): vast panorama and exhilarating solitude! Descend from the south to the Col de Blieux, which can be seen from the summit, then to Chasteuil.
5 hours of walking. Height difference: + 800 m

Day 4 - The Imbut trail, followed by the Martel trail, offers the most beautiful, the most spectacular, the most impressive and the most technical of the itineraries of the Verdon Gorges. The most beautiful and the most difficult hike in the Verdon Gorges is unforgettable! Sensations guaranteed!
6 hours of walking. Height difference: + 500 m

Day 5 - Le Chiran
Radical change after several days of hiking at the bottom of the Grand Canyon of Verdon, that this walk was almost devoid of shrub vegetation. The summit is occupied by an astronomical observatory and a guarded refuge. Lake Sainte-Croix is visible, but the Grand Canyon is too deep for him, he can only guess. After the Imbut and Bastidon trails, this short ascent allows you to free yourself from the oppressive atmosphere imposed by the rather particular universe of the Grand Canyon. A welcome short tour at altitude to end your stay.
6 hours of walking. Height difference: + 800 m

Day 6 - Le Roubion
This summit is located south of Castellane and borders the small hamlet of Roubion. You can access Roubion, the highest (1660 m) from the North, but the ideal is to bypass it from the South starting from the hamlet of the same name, then by the pass, always with the same name, then the Pas de la Colle (superb!) then the balcony path along the Verdon and the ascent. The descent and the return to the hamlet is done to the east (very steep); you can do the opposite and go up directly to the Sainte-Trophime chapel, then after about 150 m follow a red sign on the right and then some cairns.
From the summit, on a very clear day, you can see the sea and a panoramic view of the beginning of the Gorges and Castellane.
6 hours of walking. Height difference: + 800 m

The course of this program is given for information purposes only.
It may undergo modifications or adjustments, depending on technical criteria, safety requirements or the climatic conditions of the moment. In this case, only those responsible for UCPA supervision are authorized to take the necessary decision (s).
It can also be adapted according to the technical and physical level of the participants.

Cost of the shuttle 60€ round trip to be booked at verdon@ucpa.asso.fr
Possibility for people in a car to enjoy Lake Sainte-Croix (canoe, pedal boat).