Geography of the Gorges du Verdon
The Grand Canyon du Verdon lies between the villages of Rougon and Moustiers-Sainte-Marie. This is where the Gorges du Verdon narrow and the cliffs rise to heights of up to 700 metres , making the Grand Canyon du Verdon one of the largest canyons in Europe , yet its maximum width is only 12 metres!
The best-known area is certainly the so-called "Gorges du Verdon", the section between Castellane and Lake Sainte-Croix. The Gorges du Verdon abound with small paths and secondary canyons for climbing, canyoning, water trekking, rafting, packrafting, etc.
Wildlife in the Verdon Canyon
The Verdon canyon is home to many birds of prey , including eagles and vultures. More information on the Verdon's fauna can be found here .
How can you explore the Gorges du Verdon?
There are several mountain hikes to immerse yourself in this limestone world: the Imbut is undoubtedly the prettiest path through the canyon. It passes through the Styx, a secondary canyon that seems to have emerged straight from the Jurassic period. But in our opinion, the best way to experience the Verdon canyon is by packraft !
Be warned: descending the Verdon Canyon in a packraft is an extreme kayaking activity! The river is strewn with siphons.
A siphon is a phenomenon that occurs when a rapid plunges under a rock or an underground passage, acting as a suction point towards the bottom of the river.
What's more, the rapids in the Verdon canyon are class II, III and VI, which means you need to have a good level of kayaking experience before taking on these rapids unaccompanied.
Packraft expedition in the Verdon by DiscoveRent
DiscoveRent offers you the chance to discover the Verdon Canyon in packraft with an exceptional guide who will lead you through rapids, siphons and blocked passages . The aim? To discover the Verdon Canyon from the bottom up, in a fantastic setting, and to be alone in the world. The thrill of the packraft will make it an unforgettable experience. The icing on the cake? During this expedition in the Gorges du Verdon, we'll sleep two nights in a yurt and one night in a refuge!
Are you interested in this packraft expedition in the Gorges du Verdon? 👉 Contact us!
To find out more:
Parc Naturel Régional du Verdon: www.parcduverdon.fr
Some ideas for hikes
Sentier Blanc-Martel: www.rando-alpes-haute-provence.fr/sentier-blanc-martel/
Cadières de Brandis: www.rando-alpes-haute-provence.fr/cadieres-de-brandis/
Sentier des Siréniens: www.rando-alpes-haute-provence.fr/sentier-des-sireniens/
