Mountain Adventure Holidays
A fabulous week for runners exploring the stunning landscape known as the 'Grand Canyon of Europe', an immense gorge carved over the millennium by the Verdon River and the second largest canyon in the world. On this trail running holiday we journey from the foothills of Haute Provence, in France, through the Verdon National Park taking in scenery that is truly stunning. If you love sunshine, and lavender fields, then this is the trip for you.
This guided trail run is designed for those of you who run on a regular basis and who have off-road experience. Each day your luggage will be transported to the next hotel, and you only need to run with a light pack. The run is a mixture of good trails, wide tracks and some rocky sections in the Gorge itself.
The 25km (15.6 miles) of the Verdon Gorge, the largest canyon in Europe, slices through the limestone plateau midway between Avignon and Nice. Carved by the turquoise water of the Verdon River, the gorge is between 250m to 700m (820ft to 2296ft) deep. The bottom is 8m (26ft) to 90m (295ft) wide, while the rims are 200m (656ft) to 1500m (4920ft) apart. The National Regional Park of Verdon was created in 1997 to protect an environment that has evolved over two million years, and also prides itself in being labelled by UNESCO as the largest geological reserve in Europe.
This evening you will meet your guide in the small village of Saint-André-les-Alpes. Saint André sits at the head of the turquoise Lac de Castillon. This quiet, Provençal village was built on the site of a 12th century medieval castle built by the Templar Knights and can be easily linked by road with other Provencal regions on what's known as the Route La Lavande.
From our hotel in Saint-André-les-Alpes we take the famous long distance hiking route the GR4 which follows the ancient route used by the Romans to reach Lyon. We ascend steadily through mixed woodland to reach high meadows and a ridge on the western side of the lake which offers excellent views of the Lac de Castillon, the neighbouring valley and back towards the peaks of Haute Provence. The trail meanders over a high a limestone plateau where in springtime the primroses are usually found in abundance. On the way we pass the pine trees where the locals can be found collecting the sap to make 'pine sweets'. After passing old farm buildings used by the French Resistance fighters in World War 2, we then descend and join the famous Voie Imperiale, a trail used by Napoleon returning from Elba, in March 1815. Our destination today is the village of Castellane a beautiful example of the architecture of the area. If time allows a run up to the 'Notre Dame de Roc' is well worth it as from here we gain commanding views of Castellane and the Verdon River. Throughout the day we are running on good trails, and footpaths.
Ascent: 790m (2591ft) Descent: 850m 2788ft) Distance: 20km (12.5 miles) Duration: 6h00
We leave Castellane and continue along the GR4 trail which meets the Verdon River and a Roman Bridge. We then climb gradually on easy wide trails to gain our first views of the Verdon valley. With the river running beneath us towering cliffs, jagged rocky spires line our path. We pass sleepy hamlets and houses typical of the region, with red tiles and terracotta walls. We plan to stop for a snack at the lovely old school, now a gite, at Chasteuil which is run by Pascal. The family hand make lovely cosmetics and lotions made from natural ingredients and there is always the temptation to buy a few samples! We then make a second steady climb, again on good tralis, to reach a high wide open plateau where we are rewarded by our first views of the Verdon Gorges itself. As our trail descends further we arrive at the delightful medieval village and castle of Rougon. Perched on a rocky outcrop Rougon has a small chapel at it's centre, connected by narrow cobbled streets and is home to various artists and the best creperie we know (and that is saying a lot!). From here we can enjoy views of the 'Grand Canyon' of the Verdon and if we are lucky the magnificent griffon and black vultures. The association of "Vultures in Haute Provence" reintroduced these stunning birds in the 1990's and watching them in flight with their 2.5m (8ft) wing span is an absolute highlight of this trip. When we are ready to leave a further 20 minutes of running brings us down to the head of the gorge to the perfectly situated Auberge du Point Sublime, our hotel for the night.
Ascent: 780m (2558ft) Descent: 750m (2460ft) Distance: 20km (12.5 miles) Duration: 5h00
Today we enter the famous 'French Grand Canyon'. From our auberge, we have a short jog to the trail which leads us down to the Couloir Samson and the Verdon river 300m (984ft) below. Here, the trail is more challenging under foot as we descend toward the river along the steep walls of the gorge joining what is known as the 'Martel Trail'. What follows is a stunning world of limestone, towering cliffs and jade green waters. This trail was laid out in 1928 by the Touring Club of France and takes the name of the French speleologist, Édouard-Alfred Martel (1859-1938), who undertook the first complete descent into the canyon in August 1905. After a day of exploring we have a steep climb out of the Gorge, but the good news is that we exit the gorge at a bar, which seems to go down rather well! After a rest and chance to view the stunning panorama, we take a short transfer along a historic road opened by the Touring Club of France in 1928, to the lovely Provencal village of La Palud. Or if you are feeling the urge to run further we can complete an extra 8km from the top of the gorge all the way to our accommodation. This is on easy trails and is very pleasant running.
Ascent: 700 m (2296ft) Descent: 700m (2296ft) Distance: 16km (10 miles) Duration: 5h00
If running to La Palud: Ascent: 850m (2788ft) Descent: 800m (2624ft) Distance: 20km (12.5 miles)
The trail today leads up and through a large pine forest to the Col de Plein Voir which has the name suggests is an exceptional viewpoint above the turquoise lake of Saint Croix. It is very pleasant running today as we make our way on a single track trail through larch and pine forests along the Crete de l'Ourbes, a limestone craggy top, to reach 1213m (3978ft). The trail offers views to both sides, and is one of our favourite days. A final, steeper rocky descent brings us to the picturesque village of Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, where we spend the night. Moustiers, steeped in the history of the Knights Templar, is a gem of a village. It is totally Provençal in its nature with many lovely art workshops and galleries to visit. Definitely plenty of retail therapy today, if you want it!
Ascent: 750m (2460ft) Descent: 900m 2656ft) Distance: 18.5km (11.5 miles) Duration: 5h30
Still on the long distance walking route of the GR4 route, we leave Moustiers behind as we head down the valley and across low lying meadows which are often dotted with red poppies. We then begin to climb through the pines to a higher plateau which provides excellent farming land. Be prepared for the scent of aromatic plants such as lavender and field after field of crops. At one point there are well manicured lavender fields stretching in every direction with a backdrop of the higher Alps. Our trail continues past a truffle farm, then through orchards of apples and oak trees. A coffee stop at the old village of Roumoules sets us up for the last climb of the day to regain the higher ground, before descending to the ancient Roman riverside town of Riez - also known as the 'Lavender Capital' - another souvenir destination. The town is full of character and there are many shops, a pharmacy, cafes, and bars.
Ascent: 340m (1115ft) Descent: 358m (1174ft) Distance: 17.5km (10.9 miles) Duration: 4h30
Our last and longest day completes our traverse of the Verdon Nature Park, and has a touch of Provence around every corner. The route begins along a quiet lane, then follows ancient mule tracks and paths. These link rolling fields of wheat, lavender, poppies and coriander to reach the village of Saint-Martin-les-Bromes and its thirteenth-century tower built by the powerful Knights Templar. There is a quaint cafe here where we often enjoy putting our feet in the cool waters of the fountain while sipping a cold drink. Back on trail the final section of our GR4 walking route leads us partly through forest, then to fine views of our final destination, Gréoux-les-Bains, stretching out below us. Gréoux is a hilltop Roman town and popular hot mineral spa destination complete with characterful narrow streets and a "Templar" chateau overlooking the town. We aim to arrive with time to explore or simply relax before enjoying our final meal and overnight.
Ascent: 451m (1479ft) Descent: 618m (2027ft) Distance 23km (14 miles) Duration: 5h30
Today is departure day and your package finishes after breakfast. Please consult 'Arrival & Departure' in our Trip Information section for travel information.
It is always our aim to complete the proposed itinerary outlined above, however, it may be necessary for our guides/instructors to adjust the daily itinerary based on the weather conditions, group safety and enjoyment.
On all of our trips we aim to accommodate our guests in well-situated, comfortable, characterful, family run accommodation.
We take time to research, update and view the best options available to us on every trip. Detailed below are examples of our favoured venues and those we intend to use. If unavailable at the time of booking we will use alternative accommodation of a similar standard.
The trip fees are based on two people sharing a room. However on many of our trips single rooms are available on request for a supplementary fee.
This stately old building sits on the edge of town and looks out down the valley. The name Lac et Foret, 'Lake and Forest' says it all really in terms of the views. The hotel has twenty comfortable rooms with en suite facilities and we always receive a warm welcome here.
The 3* Nouvel Hôtel du Commerce is a 14 century coaching inn located in the heart of historic centre of Castellane, the gateway to the Verdon Gorge. Having retained many of it's traditional features it offers 31 quiet rooms, many of which have balconies with mountain views, all are equipped with a safe, TV, free internet, ensuite bathrooms, courtesy tray and all guests have access to the outside swimming pool. We eat out tonight a typical Provencal restaurant.
We love staying at Pointe Sublime, as the name suggests the Auberge is located at a magnificent viewpoint over the Verdon Gorge. For three generations the same family has welcomed travellers and hikers. They described the Auberge as a typical Provencal family hotel, with comfortable en suite bedrooms, and a shady terrace to enjoy a drink. If we are unable to stay at the auberge our alternative accommodation will be at the creperie 'gite' in Rougon village called Le Mur d'Abeilles where the evening can be spent watching the majestic vultures swooping overhead.
The restaurant has the accolade Pays Gourmand and also the label "Maître Restaurateur". This means excellent home made food based on local produce chosen from local producers known to the family. They love to say they offer authentic cuisine with the scents of Provence.
This is a characterful family run hotel in the tiny village of La Palud. The hotel is in the centre and with easy access to the small range of artisan gift shops and bars. The bedrooms have en suite facilities and many have balconies. There is a terrace by the hotel where you can enjoy a drink in the sun, or the shade!
La Bonne Auberge is ideally situated at the entrance to one of France's most beautiful villages, Moustiers-Sainte-Marie. It has comfortable rooms with ensuite facilities, a shaded terrace where you can enjoy the local offerings from the restaurant, and a great outdoor pool. The hotel is ideally place for exploring the centre of the village as it is only a few minute walk to all the shops, cafes, and bars.
Our 3*** hotel in Reiz is quite different to the others on the trip. It is a modern hotel set on a leafy, hillside property offering contemporary bedrooms with balconies, and sitting areas. Relax on the very lovely garden terrace, or the lounge area in the lobby. The decor features extensive marble, and stone and it feels lovely and cool after the heat of the day.
A former coach house, this lovely hotel is close to the Gréoux-les-Bains thermal spas and offers very comfortable bedrooms, a heated outdoor pool, and has an excellent restaurant with a terrace. The hotel has a rose garden, and outdoor seating so that you can enjoy relaxing at the end of your hike. The hotel also has a spa and can arrange massages to ease any tired muscles! Dinner is really excellent with food prepared from local produce.
Arrival
There is a spectacular steam-train ride through gorgeous Provencal countryside, from Nice, France, to the start of your trip at St André Les Alpes. The Train des Pignes is one of the very few private railways in France, and with trains running several times a day it is an easy way to get to the start. It is also excellent value for money being approximately 20 Euros per person for a single journey of about 2h50. Saint André Les Alpes is approx 2h00 by car from Nice. Please note that due to a landslide the section between Saint André Les Alpes and Digne-les-Bains is currently replaced by a bus.
We can provide contact details for a private transfer which you may wish to share with other members of the trip. Many guests prefer to arrive a day early and explore the ancient seaside boulevards of Nice and the old town.
Departure
At the end of the walk in Greoux-les-Bains there are several methods for onward travel. First you must travel to either Manosque (20 minutes away) or Aix en Provence (45 minutes away) where connections are possible across France including to the nearby Luberon region. The bus stop in Greoux is about 100m from the hotel and all buses arrive and leave Aix from the main bus station.
Marseille is the closest airport, but there are also options to return to Nice. We recommend using the online public transport scanner to search for your method of transport www.rome2rio.com
Marseilles and Marseille Airport by bus goes via Manosque and takes 1 hour 40 minutes. Follow this link for bus times to Marseille Airport.
Flix Bus runs a service from Aix en Provence to Nice and Nice Airport taking 2 hours 30 hours, depending on the timings. Tickets can be bought in advance for the intercity buses but not the regional buses. We recommend buying regional bus tickets on the bus itself to avoid queues.
Other onwards travel details from Greoux can be found here on the local website. Please contact us if more detailed travel information is required or help is required with translation.
It is a condition of booking that you have appropriate insurance for your chosen activity, including emergency helicopter rescue, repatriation, medical costs, as well as trip cancellation/curtailment insurance in the event of you being unable to join/complete the trip.
Please read the relevant clauses which are numbered 10, 11, 11a, 12, and 22 and are set out in our Terms and Conditions.
We also recommend your insurance covers you for baggage loss/damage. Tracks and Trails Ltd are unable to accept responsibility for the loss or damage to any client equipment or luggage.
If you are booking on behalf of other people it is important that you ensure that insurance has been arranged by all others included in your Booking Form.
You should bring all insurance documentation with you at the time of the activity. If you fail to provide proof of insurance we reserve the right to ask you to leave the trip.
If you are joining a trip in the UK helicopter/mountain rescue insurance is not required as this is a free service.
For further details, please read the Insurance section on our website.
In mountainous terrain the weather can vary considerably and you should always be prepared for any eventuality.
Temperatures in Haute Provence, France, range from daily highs of 17°-21°C (63°-71°F) in April, and May, to daily lows of 5-9°C (41°-48°F) . In September and August the daily temperature ranges from an average 24-29°C (76°-84°F), down to 11-15°C (53°-59°F).
It is often sunny with good clear days and can be very warm where hydration will become important, but it can rain and the temperatures can drop dramatically. It is not unusual for thunder storms to occur at the end of the afternoon and waterproof clothing should be carried at all times.
In mountainous terrain the weather can vary considerably and you should always be prepared for any eventuality.
Temperatures in Haute Provence, France, range from daily highs of 17°-21°C (63°-71°F) in April, and May, to daily lows of 5-9°C (41°-48°F) . In September and August the daily temperature ranges from an average 24-29°C (76°-84°F), down to 11-15°C (53°-59°F).
It is often sunny with good clear days and can be very warm where hydration will become important, but it can rain and the temperatures can drop dramatically. It is not unusual for thunder storms to occur at the end of the afternoon and waterproof clothing should be carried at all times.
On many of our trips there will be an element of 'group kit' which will be shared amongst our guests. As mountain people you will be used to team work and working together to the mutual benefit and safety of the group.
The 'group kit' will be minimal and usually just a case of sharing a few lightweight 'survival shelters'. For example on a week-long trip you may carry a small shelter for just one day before passing it on to the next person.
If you are booking a trip in winter there will be a few additional safety items. These will be distributed in such a way that no one is over burdened.
Other group items necessary for safety and comfort will be carried by your guide/instructor.
After we have processed your booking we will send you a comprehensive clothing and equipment list that is appropriate to your trip and activity. There will be some items on this list that we strongly recommend and others which are suggested. Our list is based on our experience of what is needed for any particular trip, but it is not the definitive article! If you have items you like to use then do bring them, but be aware of over-loading your 'day' rucksack with items that are heavy and therefore making the trip more challenging.
Please contact us if in any doubt about what to bring.
For each of our trips there is a minimum number of guests required to book before we can 'guarantee' your trip will run. It depends on the particular trip in question, but it is normally 4. The maximum number of guests on your trip is displayed in the 'At a Glance' box on the righthand side of the trip page.
We strongly advise you do not book travel until we have confirmed your trip is 'guaranteed' to run. If you book travel before we have confirmed it is 'guaranteed' we cannot be held responsible for any financial loss if the trip does not go ahead.
When booking a holiday as a solo traveller a twin bedded room comprising of two single beds, is booked as standard. This will be with someone of the same gender unless you request to pay extra for your own room. Single rooms are often limited in supply so if you would like to pay a supplement for a single room we urge you to get in touch as soon as possible. This trip has a single supplement of £350.
We go to great lengths to work with first class guides and instructors who are passionate about their work. They are all fully qualified, insured, and hold the correct documentation.
Please note your guide/instructor has complete discretion to make a daily decision on whether or not to take the advertised route based on the weather and the ability of the members of the group. They have our authority to make any route changes they believe are necessary in the interests of safety and enjoyment.
For our walking, family, and snowshoeing trips your guide will be a fully qualified and experienced International Mountain Leader. For our running trips your guide will be an International Mountain Leader, and an experienced mountain 'trail runner'.
If you have booked on a cross country ski trip you will be with a fully qualified professional BASI Nordic Ski Instructor or equivalent. BASI is the British Association of Snowsport Instructors.
On this point-to-point trip you will have luggage support which means your bags are transferred each day to the next accommodation and you only need to carry a small/medium sized 'rucksack' for items you might need during the course of the day. Please refer to the kit list for this trip for guidance on the size of rucksack required.
As your luggage will be moved along the route by taxi we ask that you keep the weight to a maximum of 15kgs (33lbs), and ONE bag per person. Many of the taxi companies who move your bags impose a 15kg (33lbs) limit and restrict the number of bags simply because they have to unload and reload the vehicle many times each day. If you take more than one bag you may be asked to pay a supplement. Also with regard to weight be aware that you may have to carry your luggage to your bedroom, which may involve climbing several flights of stairs as not all hotels have elevators. Luggage on wheels is a good idea.
We do not include lunches in your trip fee for various reasons. We have found our guests have particular tastes and requirements for 'trail' or 'hill' food and it is better you choose and buy what you require. Buying supplies and trying local specialities is a great way to inter-act with the local people and to practise your language skills.
Lunches on our trips are 'picnic' style lunches, in other words you take a packed lunch with sufficient snacks, food and fluid to sustain you throughout your day of activity. If there is the possibility of lunch being taken at a restaurant/farm/cafe beside the trail, your guide/instructor will advise you of this.
Each evening you can choose to order a picnic or a sandwich from the hotel, or your guide/instructor will advise you of other options such as a local shop or market and whether you need to purchase items in the evening or if the shop/market is open early enough the next morning not to delay your start. In all cases we would always ask you to settle any 'bill' for lunch or drinks in the evening before you depart, and not on the morning of your last day when there may be a queue.
On your itinerary you will find an indication of the amount of ascent and descent you can expect each day. This offers a guideline to how much effort might be expended each day and allows you to decide, based on previous experience, if your fitness and stamina are correct for the trip.
We make every attempt to ensure these statistics are as accurate as possible, but ask you to note that the most modern of technology used to record these details can show considerable variations in terms of ascent, descent, and in particular distance. In other words no two people using GPS devices on the same route will have exactly the same details recorded at the end of the day.
The statistics given should be used as a 'general' indication of the effort required.
It is useful to arrive at your destination with some cash in the local currency, however, on most occasions it is relatively easy to visit a 'cash machine' after arrival and withdraw money on a credit or debit card. Some of our locations are an exception to this in particular Norway, where the accommodation will often have no facilities for withdrawing cash, but they will take a credit card.
On many of our trips we will visit remote cafes/farms where it is wonderful to enjoy a drink and a cake, at places such as these they will only accept payment in the local currency in cash.
Food
On our trips we encourage you to experience local tastes and dishes that reflect the culture of the country and for this reason many of our accommodation options will be family run with a reputation for the traditional food of the region.
If you have a 'special' diet because of an allergy or intolerance to a certain food type which will make you ill the accommodation will cater for this as best they can, eg gluten free, nut free, lactose free.
If you are vegetarian then this is not a problem as the hotels/refuges are used to being asked for vegetarian meals. Our accommodation will try to cater for those with vegan diets but in remote refuges in the mountains this is more difficult. If you would like to discuss the suitability of a trip for a vegan diet please contact us. Gluten-free diets will be possible with regard to the evening meals, but we would advise that you bring along some gluten-free snacks for your breakfasts and lunches.
If you have a 'special' diet which is NOT because of an allergy or intolerance, and is not 'veggie' then we apologise, but we cannot cater for this. The accommodation on the popular routes will be catering for many people each evening, in some cases up to 70/80 meals per night, 7 days a week, and realistically they cannot produce many different meal options unless the food will result in illness.
Water
The countries we visit all have tap water which is drinkable. If for any reason a particular hotel is having a problem with a remote mountain water supply they will normally post a sign over the tap indicating that you must not drink the water. At all times you are welcome to ask your guide/instructor if the water can be drunk. We would ask, for environmental reasons, that you avoid using single-use plastic bottles, and bring a water bottle that can be used repeatedly.
A passport with 6 months remaining validity at the end of your stay is generally required for visits to countries outside the EU, such as Norway. Please check the relevant embassy or consulate for other nationalities. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct travel documents and visas for your holiday. Visa requirements and charges are subject to change without notice.
We recommend you check if you require an adaptor for your electrical items at:
http://www.worldstandards.eu/electricity/plugs-and-sockets/
Note that if your trip involves staying in a mountain refuge/rifugio/hut that electric sockets may be in short supply and for that night you may not be able to charge any items. Although the accommodation will have electricity this will often be supplied by solar panels or a generator and limited to use by the staff. For this reason we advise that carrying a small slimline and lightweight 'battery pack' can be very useful for recharging phones which many of you will also use as your camera.
Before booking consider whether you expect to be in the appropriate physical condition on the date of your departure to allow you to fully participate in and enjoy your holiday. If you have any doubts because of an illness or injury it would be advisable to check with your doctor.
For UK residents travelling to an EU country you should obtain and bring with you a free European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). This entitles you to state provided medical treatment in certain European countries, but is not a substitute for medical travel insurance. Also note that if/when the UK leaves the European Union that the EHIC card may no longer be valid. Please check this before departing. We advise that you always carry your insurance documents with details of the Emergency Medical telephone number for your insurance provider, and your policy number.
We feel strongly about protecting the environment and do not encourage the use of single-use plastic items. We would ask that you arrive with a ‘water bottle’ or ‘hydration system’ that can be used repeatedly. We would point out that we operate a ‘zero tolerance’ for rubbish, and would ask you to remove all your rubbish items from the mountain even those you consider to be bio-degradable. In particular we ask that you remove any toilet tissue.
You can read our full policy here.
Working across international boundaries, and with various currencies means that the price of our trips can change overnight. We have, however, undertaken to guarantee that once you have paid your deposit the price of your trip is fixed. In this respect we urge you to book early to ensure that you receive the price advertised on our website. The website price may increase due to currency fluctuations, but we guarantee that the price advertised on the date of your booking will be maintained in your individual case.
Due to the specialised nature of our holidays, we co-sell a number of trips with 'partner' companies. These are carefully selected to ensure they reflect our ethos and standards in terms of the service we offer our guests. By encouraging other companies to sell our trips it means that your chosen holiday may reach its 'minimum' number earlier, allowing us to guarantee the trip and to give you the go-ahead to book your travel arrangements.
There may be occasions when our partners have helped book your accommodation and organise the logistics for your trip. On these occasions your hotel may have recorded your room reservation in the name of one of our partners.
We guarantee that companies with whom we work will offer the same package as Tracks and Trails Ltd. The price will be the same, though occasionally they may be operating in a different currency. Your itinerary and the items that are included, or not included in your trip fee, will also be the same.
We believe in team work, and enjoy working with other small high quality companies. If you have any questions about this policy please contact us and we will be happy to discuss it with you.
Prices may vary depending on date.
| From Price | £0 |
| Holiday Type | Trail Running |
| Duration | 8 Days |
| Group Size | 10 |
| Minimum Age | 18 |
| Maximum Altitude | 1228m (4027ft) |
| Countries Visited | France |
| Meet In | Saint-André-Les-Alpes, France |
