The Lower Verdon Gorges

Wonderful hike through the Lower Verdon Gorges, starting in Quinson.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.84 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 240 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 240 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 545 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 358 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Slightly before the village of Quinson (arriving from Montmeyan), you cross a bridge overlooking the Verdon river. A car park is located on the left side just after the bridge and before the pizza bar-restaurant called "Chez Kinou". A potential reward after your effort. Park your car in the car park. Walk back over the bridge by foot towards Montmeyan. The starting point of the hike is located a couple of meters away on the right-hand side.
CAUTION: shortly after the start, follow the signs marked with a horizontal yellow line (PR - Petite Randonnée (Short Hike) - signs).
You then pass through a converted stairway in the rock and suspension bridges, near the Verdon River. The view is superb. Nothing difficult but you should stay alert and watch where you're putting your feet. There are secured cables along the way but children, for instance, should not hike alone without adults' help.
After walking along the Verdon river for a while, alternating between rocky slopes and woods - following the Verdon River's ancient canal you'll reach a junction named "La Draille des Vaches" going up to the left. Keep going straight ahead. The hike keeps going alongside the Verdon's canal.
You will soon arrive at a tunnel entrance with a little stone house located above to the right. Go through the tunnel, and at the end, stairs will allow you to make your way back.

Before the stairs, if the bars blocking the access to the following tunnels are open, you may venture through the tunnels following alongside the gorges. But be advised, the trail is no longer secured.
Going back: After climbing a few metal steps of the last stairway, the path weaves under intense vegetation. A junction is indicated thanks to a stone cairn. Take a left and charge up a hill with a large, fairly steep until you reach the Sainte Maxime chapel. Once you get there, take the GR99 - Grande Randonnée 99 (Long Hike 99) - and follow it back to the starting point. GR99' signs are two horizontal white and red lines (GR' signs). The same markings crossed means that you're leaving the GR path and that you should not follow that direction.
On the plateau - on the top of the cliff overviewing the Verdon river - you won't have the view of the gorges anymore, you walk along an even, relatively large path surrounded by vegetation. After a few dozen minutes you'll begin the descent bringing you back to the starting point.

You will then be able to enjoy a breath-taking view of the valley and the dam.

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 362 m - Parking in Quinson - Gorges du Verdon
  2. 1 : km 0.74 - alt. 373 m - Start of the signposted walk - Canal du Verdon
  3. 2 : km 2.16 - alt. 369 m - The Dravers' road: straight ahead - Verdon (rivière)
  4. 3 : km 4.96 - alt. 448 m - Left fork
  5. 4 : km 5.05 - alt. 467 m - Chapelle Sainte-Maxime junction
  6. 5 : km 5.4 - alt. 494 m - Sainte-Maxime Chapel
  7. 6 : km 6.9 - alt. 537 m - Carrefour de la Dravers' road des Vaches
  8. 7 : km 9.84 - alt. 374 m - Path parallel to the D13
  9. S/E : km 10.84 - alt. 362 m - Parking in Quinson

Notes

Wear good hiking shoes and keep a torch with you.
Over 25 tunnels accessible alongside the canal.

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 422 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
benages
benages

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 29, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk with varied scenery. The colour of the water is incredible
Shaded and not too busy. I think this is the best time of year
The last part isn’t as pretty and is a bit long, but it’s still worth a visit

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VirginieLax
VirginieLax

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 04, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely walk, very easy to follow; stunning colours, magnificent views – a real treat.

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Denis8361@
Denis8361@

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 04, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A route you can enjoy just as much the second time round

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fuster23
fuster23

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 25, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely walk, particularly the first section along the banks of the Verdon and through the woods as you climb towards the chapel; the final section is not quite as good, but there are views of the Quinson dam.

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User 19868370

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 15, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Great hike
At the cave, if there is a little water, don't try to go around it to avoid getting your feet wet because you can't get through.
I crossed it and got my feet a little wet, but it's fine.

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User 21107884

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 16, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Top things to do. Alone in the world during this period.

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User 24642370

I haven't done this hike yet, but I'm looking into it for my next holiday in May. I definitely plan to do it, as well as others in the region (I'm planning a holiday in the Esparron de Verdon area).
Best regards and thank you for your information and helpful advice!

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Devine
Devine

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

A very beautiful hike close to the water, very easy to follow the suggested route.
Lots of steps, but no difficulty whatsoever.

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Popouruchka
Popouruchka

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 03, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very good hike with magnificent, breathtaking scenery! Many thanks to the author.

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User 27694251

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 08, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

We started the trail late in the morning to enjoy the sunshine in the lower gorges. The water was emerald green. A truly magical experience. Be sure to bring waterproof shoes and a torch for the tunnel section.

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User 5437122

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 28, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hike done early, starting at the gorges. I didn't meet anyone. The autumn colours were out in full force! Lovely walk!

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User 23656068

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 20, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Parish specific to Brittany, varied landscapes. Quite busy

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Guy M.
Guy M.

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 13, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

very pleasant walk along the lower Verdon Gorge. A little too crowded for my taste. Beware of heavy rain, as the dam tunnel can flood, and walking the rest of the route with wet feet is not pleasant. A very beautiful day, ending with a spectacular thunderstorm

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Corentin_robb
Corentin_robb

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 20, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

We went hiking last Saturday at the end of summer. I wasn't expecting such a beautiful sunny day, perfect conditions. Bring water shoes if the tunnel is a bit flooded, otherwise it's a very nice hike!
The Verdon Gorge is magnificent.

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Marmotine59
Marmotine59

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 16, 2025
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A magnificent hike in the Basses Gorges, done in the suggested direction, and I'm glad I made that choice because the descent at the end is quite steep in places, and in the sun, so it would probably be difficult going uphill.
Be careful when crossing the tunnel, which was quite wet. Don't forget to bring a headlamp and possibly water shoes.
The enchanted forest is amazing!
Hiking poles are helpful on the rocky descent.
However, they are unnecessary on the path along the gorges as there are handrails and steps.
It is less crowded at this time of year and if you start early in the morning.
I recommend it..

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