This adventurous walk is one of the most beautiful you can make in the Gorges du Verdon. You descend into the Canyon and get to know the rough, wild and especially spectacular nature along the river. In short, a must do if you are in the region.
Distance: 9 km.
Time: 4h30.
Grade: Heavy.
Type: Circular.
Gps Track: Yes.
Route description: Yes.
Wheelchair: Not suitable.
Dog: Not allowed.
Height gain: 450 meters.
Trail: 100% unpaved.
Marking: White-Red (GR99) and Yellow dash.
Hiking shoes recommended.
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Into the heart of the Gorges du Verdon.
The route immediately begins spectacularly with a descent along the Couloir des Cavaliers via secured passages and smooth stones. Once down in the Gorges you soon pass the Passarelle de l'Estellier, a suspension bridge over the river. You do not cross the bridge but follow the banks of the Verdon. On some parts you see above some caves where people lived in prehistoric times. Along the way you will encounter nothing but natural beauty such as century-old beech trees and a three-thousand year old juniper bush. At a certain moment you reach the Styx, here you should definitely take time to picnic or just enjoy. Afterwards it continues via a path that has been carved into the rocks and secured with steel cables, the Maugué. Maugué comes from "Mauvais gué" or poor crossings in Provençal. After the Maugué you walk through a forest, pass by the Sentier Vidal, along which you will return soon and reach L'Imbut, the "Funnel". Here the Verdon disappears for about 150 meters under an accumulation of rocks, in which he has dug three subterranean passages from 20 to 30 meters deep. You can now go a long way over big boulders to the beautiful beach of Baoui Beni. Here you can take a look at the impenetrable part of the Gorges. You go back to the Vidal exit and start a spectacular climb from the gorge. This passage is not recommended for people with fear of heights and is only for experienced hikers! There are some secured passages and metal ladders to overcome before you reach the D71. Once on the D71, you walk back to the starting point via a forest trail and the GR99. Prepare the full itinerary before you leave!
Download PDF for route description.
This walk is not recommended for people with fear of heights and / or not be confident with secured passages.
The Vidal exit is only for experienced walkers. To avoid this climb you can return via the same path to the starting point.
POI 1 - Passerelle de l'Estellier.
The Passerelle de l'Estellier is a pedestrian bridge over the river Verdon which was put into use in 2004 after the old bridge was completely destroyed on 5 November 1994 by the "hundred-year" flood. On 4 and 5 November 1994 torrential rains fell on the mountain ranges of Allos and Cayolle, where the Verdon and the Var have their source. In the Var Valley, after part of the Nice-Digne railway line, parts of the RN 202 and the A8 motorway were washed away, the ferocious water flooded Nice airport and destroyed a few hundred vehicles parked there. In the Verdon valley, despite the presence of the Castillon and Chaudanne dams, the water could not be stopped and the Grand Canyon flowed. The old bridge of l'Estellier was simply wiped out by the swirling water.
No additional information.
POI 2 - Styx.
The name Styx comes from Greek mythology and is the river that separates the upper world or the earth from the underworld or Hades. The Styx is one of the five rivers in the underworld, the others are the Phlegeton, the Acheron, the Cocytus and the Lethe. These rivers come together in the center of the underworld in a large swamp, sometimes also referred to as Styx. Charon was the ferryman who transferred the Styx to the shadows of the deceased, when they wanted to find peace in the realm of Hades. As a spring money, the dead were given a coin in the mouth. The name of this part of the river was given by the speologist Edouard-Alfred Martel who in 1905 first realized the exploration of the Gorges du Verdon.
No additional information.
POI 3 - Sentier Vidal.
The sentier Vidal is never intended as a walking path but was constructed by the engineer Vidal as an emergency exit for abducers who worked in the Gorges.
No additional information.
