The Lower Verdon Gorges

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

Details

55122
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.74 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 787 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 787 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,788 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,175 ft

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 : mi 0 - alt. 1,188 ft - Parking in Quinson - Gorges du Verdon
  2. 1 : mi 0.46 - alt. 1,224 ft - Start of the signposted walk - Canal du Verdon
  3. 2 : mi 1.34 - alt. 1,211 ft - The Dravers' road: straight ahead - Verdon (rivière)
  4. 3 : mi 3.08 - alt. 1,470 ft - Left fork
  5. 4 : mi 3.14 - alt. 1,532 ft - Chapelle Sainte-Maxime junction
  6. 5 : mi 3.35 - alt. 1,621 ft - Sainte-Maxime Chapel
  7. 6 : mi 4.29 - alt. 1,762 ft - Carrefour de la Dravers' road des Vaches
  8. 7 : mi 6.12 - alt. 1,227 ft - Path parallel to the D13
  9. S/E : mi 6.74 - alt. 1,188 ft - 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 429 reviews

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

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 22, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A superb hike

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symy
symy

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : May 20, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk.
The last few kilometres were difficult because of the slope and the many stones.

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GB39
GB39

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 15, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful region, well worth visiting as a complement to the Blanc-Martel trail. It offers views of the Verdon from both above and below

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User 18731784
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 07, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Completed yesterday, the circular loop is actually almost 13 km long with a climb of nearly 300 m, compared to the advertised 10.89 km and 240 m climb, which, for less experienced walkers or those with children, can quickly become a problem; especially when leaving the Sainte-Maxime chapel for the final stretch to Quinson, as the end of the route is exposed: it can quickly become very hot and you can get very thirsty if you’re unprepared and haven’t brought enough water... You should also bear in mind that the return path is very uneven, so make sure you’re wearing sturdy shoes.

Otherwise, it’s a very beautiful route through the lower gorges, with a climb up to the chapel (as soon as you leave the keeper’s hut) through the steep, shaded ravine, which is very pleasant.

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Gépa
Gépa

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 07, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A magnificent walk that we spotted whilst canoeing between Esparon and Quinson. The access is very well maintained: apart from the views over the Verdon, the canal is also well worth exploring (a fine piece of engineering by our forebears). The rest of the route, which is quite different, is also worth seeing (the chapel and its goats in particular: a lovely spot for a picnic).
Definitely worth doing... make sure you wear sturdy shoes.

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lilou5410
lilou5410

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 16, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely route with spectacular views of the gorges and the Verdon. The first section is quite busy. The second section is less crowded and takes you through a beautiful, enchanting forest and then along paths lined with flowering gorse. I highly recommend this route.

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User 25136267

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 14, 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 between the old canal and the Verdon – though it was absolutely heaving, even early in the morning! – with a pleasant, peaceful stretch through the forest towards the chapel, followed by a less interesting return leg with long, straight stretches lacking in views. But it’s still well worth the walk!

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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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