Caroline, a UIMLA-certified guide, will lead you on this glorious and fun 4-day trip of trail running around one of the most spectacular sights in Southwest France, the Verdon Gorge, a slice of paradise that is truly awe-inspiring and beautiful.
Group
4 Days
Apr
Fit
Intermediate
I will guide you on this 4-day trail running adventure through some of the best landscape, terrain and scenery that Europe has to offer, where not only will we improve your technique and fitness to enable you to tackle even more challenging trails and mountains, but we will also discover some of the absolutely stunning hidden nooks and crannies that litter this area, the mighty Verdon Gorge, in Southeastern France.
Located close to the French Riviera and between the towns of Castellane and Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, the Verdon Gorge is one of the most popular places to visit in Southeastern France, as its raw natural beauty and evocative, vivid colours draw people in, not to mention the wide array of gorgeous views to admire.
Meeting on the first morning in Grenoble, we then drive to the Verdon area where we will brief you on the course and dispense any relevant equipment and safety information.
We then hit the trails in earnest, as we start with the 10km Bastidon trail to ease in to proceedings, before spending the night relaxing over a glass of wine in our chalet accommodation overlooking the gorge.
The subsequent 2 days are spent trail running long distances (25-30km) around different terrains, including scaling the summit of Grand Marges (1571m), the cute forests and rugged ridges of the Aiguines area, and the famous Martel White trail, which goes right through the heart of the gorge amongst the majestic walls and limestone cliffs which line it, leading on to a desert plain which proves equally as captivating.
The final day is spent traipsing and travailing around the Imbut and Martel trails, which wind along the mesmerizing water and torrents of the gorge, providing an idyllic backdrop for the 10km or so we will be running.
We then finish the activity on the afternoon of the 4th day, hopefully having increased your fitness, improved your trail running technique and having given you memories to last a lifetime!
Trail running through the Verdon Gorge is a once in a lifetime experience – book now so as not to miss out!
I also offer a 4-day trail running training trip in Saint Gervais, here!
Alternatively, I offer trail running training in Annecy, here!
- Guiding fee
- Accommodation included
- Transport during the trip
- Breakfast
- Dinner
- Snacks
Price is per person.
Price does not include: individual insurance, food supplements, personal expenses, drinks during meals, individual transfers.
For private groups contact the guide
Meet in Grenoble in the morning then transport by minibus to the Pallud sur Verdon in the early afternoon. Briefing on the course at the cottage. Get on the trail on the Bastidon, about 10km and 400m D +. In the evening, over a glass of wine on the terrace, we can enjoy the exceptional lights that bathe the gorges du Verdon. The chalet is placed on one of the most open viewpoints of the
Gorge, which makes it a unique accommodation where it is good to admire the surroundings.
A wild and relatively technical route that will take us to the balcony above the Gorges Verdon, we will then reach the summit of Grand Margès (1571m), the highest peak of the Verdon that dominates the lake of Sainte Croix and the Alps, the Ventoux, the Sainte Victoire. We will then go between forests and ridges before returning to the village of Aiguines and its provincial atmosphere. 25km,
1500m D +.
This long day will take us first to the historic Martel White Trail, an trail full of beauty in the heart of the gorge. From the first steps, we will go in to the middle of the walls sculpted by the torrent and we will probably have the chance to see vultures hovering over above our heads! The second part of the day will take place on the plateaux, in a more desert atmosphere but just as exotic. 30km, 1700m D +
Our last morning ends in one of the most famous places in Verdon with the most techniques: the Imbut trail and the Martel trail: a narrow path in the rock
closer to the torrent. At times, the flow is very impressive! We will go through a
landscaped trail, sometimes equipped with ropes and ladders. 10km, 680m D +
Accommodation Gite Refuge Chalet |
More info A minimum number of participants (defined in advance) is required for the departure to take place. If the number of participants is insufficient and the departure is cancelled, clients will be informed via a phone call at least a week prior to the scheduled departure date and will receive a complete refund. Clients are required to have multi-risk insurance, covering cancellation fees, rescue and accident, repatriation and baggage loss or theft. There is little access to drinking water during the course. Travel times may be long between the water points. It is therefore necessary to provide at least 1.5 to 2 L (water bag, water bottles or bottles). The indicated times are given as an indication. They can vary depending on the nature of the terrain on the day (dry ground vs. rain, snow) and the level of the group. Some hazards can also impact travel times. The terrain is varied and technical. Alternating forest tracks, singles in ridges, pastures, scree and rocks. The Verdon area is quite often composed of stony path. |
Meeting point Grenoble or La Palud-sur-Verdon |
I hold the State Certificate of Mountain Leader (UIMLA), Athlete of Team Garmin Adventure. I won many trail competitions such as Oxygen Challenge, The Glaciers Tour of Vanoise, Albertville Trail, Drayes Blanches of Vercors, the Frison Roche Beaufort, Run and skate of Chamonix… I have also some racing podiums such as the Saintélyon, the Lyon Urban Trail, the Causses Marathon, the Allobroges. I am an ex-sportswoman of high level in rowing (World Championships, World Cups, France Championships). I have a mastery STAPS (Sport) and BEES First degree in rowing.
I organise and supervise many trail courses in the Alps with a pro team, a friends group with whom we have a mission: Run and enjoy! I invite you to contact me if you want to train and/or discover these incredible massifs.
Stay up-to-date on the best adventures.