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Park in the designated spaces along the Route des Crêtes, if possible near the Chalet de la Maline.
(S) Take the well-marked downhill path that forms part of the GR®4. Continue to the bottom of the gorges.
(1) Turn right onto the path leading to the Estellier footbridge.
(2) From the footbridge, there is a beautiful view of the turbulent waters of the torrent, both upstream and downstream. Returnalong the same route to the junction you passed earlier.
(1) Continue straight on along the gently sloping path that runs alongside the Verdon, through beautiful vegetation and occasionally large trees (oaks, beeches) with magnificent soft green foliage in spring, especially in bright sunshine.
(3) Pass the Pré d'Issane before the Étroit des Cavaliers (deep, narrow gorges), then the Guègues scree slope, before reaching the large Baume aux Bœufs cave. Continue for about 150 m to reach the junction leading to the Mescla site, which is the confluence of the Verdon and the Artuby.
(4) Take the path on the right to reach the site. Strangely, the river seems very calm here, forming a sort of lake with a magnificent jade-coloured hue.
(5) Retrace your steps to rejoin the main path.
(4) Turn right towards the Brèche Imbert, where the path takes an impressive series of metal staircases between the rock faces: around 250 steps to descend 100 metres in elevation. For hikers prone to vertigo, descend these flights of steps backwards if necessary. Follow the Verdon river to La Baume aux Chiens.
(6) The path descends steeply towards the riverbed via a few tight bends. Be extremely vigilant for possible rockfalls and avoid dislodging any rocks from the path. After this descent, you will find a beautiful pebble beach along the path, here close to the riverbed and near the Baumes-Fères gorge, ideal for a picnic break or simply a well-deserved rest.
(7) The path continues to follow the riverbed, occasionally veering away from it, alternating between the shade of the vegetation and full sun beneath the cliffs.
(8) On the opposite bank, you can admire the Tours de Trescaïre, magnificent monolithic spires, with vultures soaring majestically overhead in the sky. Continuing uphill towards the Couloir Samson and the Point Sublime, the path passes through tunnels. There are three in total, but do not enter the first one ( Tunnel des Baumes), which has remnants of rails on the ground; the path goes round it.
(9) Instead, take the second one (Tunnel du Trescaire), which is 110 m long, then the third, the impressive Tunnel du Baou, which is 670 m long and curves. Depending on the season, these tunnels may contain large puddles of water. As they are particularly dark, good lighting (head torch or equivalent) is essential. Remember to wrap up warm; it is much cooler in there than on the path, especially in the long Baou Tunnel. After the tunnels, the path crosses the Saut du Bau, then climbs back up to the end of the D23a road, where there is a car park (S/E).
Visorando member
Tourist office
Moderate 
Easy 
Very difficult 
