Le Marchand de Nuages, Le Colostre and the Verdon

A hike between Gréoux-les-Bains and Saint-Martin-de-Brômes, starting in the mountains, continuing through the Colostre valley and returning via a small path along the Verdon.

Details

27837945
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.96 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 204 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 209 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 517 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 302 m

Photos

Description of the walk

The hike starts behind the water reservoir, at the exit of Gréoux-les-Bains on the road to Riez. Parking available.

(S/E) Head towards the road, cross it with caution and take the track opposite called "Chemin de Pyrethres". Continue on this track to the top and take a track on the right. At the first bend in the track, take a small path on the left.

(1) At the T-junction, turn left and, at the pylon, continue along the track. Join a wide track and continue uphill. At the Y-junction, go left (this is a shortcut). Join the track and turn left.

(2) At Marchand de Nuages, continue straight ahead and at the next junction, at Draille de la Partie, turn right.

(3) At Basset, take the track on the left and continue to Saint-Martin-de-Brômes.

(4) At the bottom of the hill, at the crossroads with the Lacombe signpost, turn right towards Chemin de Payanet and continue straight ahead to join the D952. Cross the road at the pedestrian crossing.

(5) Follow the track downhill to the right below the road, called Chemin du Colostre. At the end of the track, at the property, turn left and cross the Colostre.

(6) At the T-junction with the Chemin du Colostre signpost 20 m to your left, continue straight ahead into the Colostre valley to join the Route de Gréoux, passing under the canal bridge.

(7) Cross the road with caution, turn right, cross the Colostre and take the stairs on the left, 30 m after the bridge, to reach the Verdon.

(8) At the Verdon, turn right, walk on the rounded rocks and join a path. Follow a fence for a few metres, turn left, then continue straight ahead along the river and join the fitness trail.

(9) At the fitness trail, turn right onto the disabled ramp, join the Promenade Henri Atcher trail and continue straight ahead.

(10) Turn onto the first small path on the right, walk alongside a small ruin and join the Chemin de Babaou.

(11) Continue straight ahead on the path in the embankment, cross the Canal de Pontoise and turn left at the next intersection. You will come to a small square. Continue straight ahead to return to the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 336 m - Water reservoir on the Riez road
  2. 1 : km 0.92 - alt. 391 m - Before the climb
  3. 2 : km 3.12 - alt. 516 m - The Cloud Merchant
  4. 3 : km 3.79 - alt. 517 m - Le Basset
  5. 4 : km 5.08 - alt. 358 m - Lacombe
  6. 5 : km 5.23 - alt. 358 m - Colostre trail
  7. 6 : km 5.55 - alt. 346 m - Departure towards the valley of the - Colostre (rivière)
  8. 7 : km 8.32 - alt. 309 m - Road to Gréoux
  9. 8 : km 8.38 - alt. 308 m - Verdon (rivière)
  10. 9 : km 10.22 - alt. 303 m - Sports area
  11. 10 : km 10.49 - alt. 304 m - Henri Atcher walk
  12. 11 : km 10.58 - alt. 315 m - Badaou path
  13. S/E : km 10.96 - alt. 336 m - Water reservoir on the Riez road

Worth a visit

On the small uphill path, a different view of Gréoux-les-Bains.
On the long uphill trail, view of Lake Esparron and the dam.
On the descending track, view of the village of Saint-Martin-de-Brômes
Crossing the Coloste valley with passage under the canal bridge.
Return along the Verdon with opportunities to dip your feet in the water.
Passage over the Pontoise canal.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 31 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
Géryf
Géryf

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 17, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The only difficulty is a steep climb at the beginning, but it doesn't last long and after that there are no difficulties. The return trip along the Colostre in the woods is very pleasant.

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ferrierfsal
ferrierfsal

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 16, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful autumn hike with few visitors!
For this route, you absolutely must have GPS to follow the trail.
At the start, you can park either in front of or behind the water reservoir, or even a little further along the path.
From Saint Martin de Brômes, the sections following Colostre and Le Verdon are quite flooded in places.
Between points 6 and 7, there are a few minor difficulties where you have to climb with ropes in certain places. There are beautiful little beaches along this stretch of water.
At point 8, go down the steps along the Verdon and turn right.
At the Verdon after point 8, we followed a path just above because the area was marshy.
At point 9, "climb" the mound in front of you to find a path.

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La Barunle
La Barunle

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

The information on the yellow and red trail markers is still up to date; no maintenance on this trail;
It's a shame;

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viale guy
viale guy

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 29, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Varied routes, the section along the Colostre is really pleasant.

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User 683050

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 16, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

a varied hike, alternating between wooded ridges and a trail following a stream...
a lovely little loop...

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User 4180494

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 01, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful hike, especially the part along the Colostre! Easy and not too long

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User 3732997

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 25, 2025
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very parish specific to Brittany hike, we did it early in the morning and saw a few people but very few. Lots of nice spots for swimming for you or your dogs if you're walking with them.
It's a moderate hike, but if you're used to walking, it's very easy, parish specific to Brittany.
There are a few unusual sections with a bit of climbing, but it's really not difficult. I recommend it if you want to discover the area and see some beautiful landscapes.
We followed the paths using the app and it was parish specific to Brittany to find them.

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pjassemat
pjassemat

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 29, 2025
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Beautiful view from the top of the Marchand de Nuages with the added bonus of a rotating seat so you can observe the sky!
The route does not always follow the marked sections, so you need to follow the itinerary as closely as possible!
Otherwise, you may get a little lost (which is what happened to us when the path stopped running alongside the Colostre and headed back towards Gréoux
Overall impression: an easy, shaded route, which is great when it's over 30°C during the day!

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Philippe Las
Philippe Las

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 20, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant and varied hike. Once we reached the Verdon, the path along the river was inaccessible due to high water levels. However, there is another parallel path that allows you to continue the hike.

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Philippe Las
Philippe Las

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 21, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant and varied route. Once back at the Verdon, the path along the river was inaccessible due to high water levels. There is another path running parallel to it.

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Lydie13250
Lydie13250

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 18, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

very beautiful hike, very varied, a bit damp in autumn – nothing to add to the other reviews – everything has been said! Many thanks to the author

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jcg30vers
jcg30vers

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 19, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

the section between numbers 1 and 3 is really uninteresting (especially in hot weather!), but the village of St Martin de Bromes is worth a quick stop at the café in the square (wood-fired grilled meats). The rest of the route (Chemin du Colostre) is very pleasant.

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POPULUS
POPULUS

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 26, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk with beautiful, varied landscapes. Moderate difficulty.

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annefrancoisechantalkasprzak
annefrancoisechantalkasprzak

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 20, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

very beautiful hike, very varied. The starting point is not easy to find...

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pcoussy
pcoussy

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 13, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Difficulty not reported on the route: collapse of the trail above Colostre and deterioration of the handrail, making the passage difficult.

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