Our Lady of the Rock

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Through Castellane and along shaded paths, visit the famous and renowned Notre Dame du Roc.

Technical sheet

n°79634
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 4.95 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 20 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 328 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 328 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 889 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 716 m
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Photos

The Church of Notre Dame du Roc
Statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Admire the view
One of the views along the way

Description of the walk

Park in the swimming pool car park (S/E) on the right after the bridge over the Verdon.
Cross the bridge and turn right, then take the narrow streets on the left that lead to Castellane. Join the RN85 and walk slightly uphill alongside the hospital (be careful when crossing at the "No pedestrians" sign). You will then reach the crossroads where the trail starts (sign).

(1) Take the trail heading north-east then east. At the next junction, turn right towards Notre Dame du Roc.
Walk along an almost horizontal path to reach the first crossroads.

(2) Turn right. At the second junction, a few metres further down, join the Way of the Cross leading up from Castellane. Turn left and follow a few bends to reach the chapel.

(3) Return to the two aforementioned crossroads. At the first one, leave the Way of the Cross, turn right and then right again to reach the second one.

(2) Descend towards Castellane in the direction of Pont du Roc.
Leave the bridge on your left to return to the car park (S/E) by crossing the Verdon via the road bridge.

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 727 m - Swimming pool car park - Verdon (rivière)
  2. 1 : km 1.01 - alt. 737 m - Hospital crossroads
  3. 2 : km 2.54 - alt. 845 m - Pont du Roc crossroads
  4. 3 : km 2.96 - alt. 846 m - Notre Dame du Roc Chapel
  5. S/E : km 4.95 - alt. 727 m - Swimming pool car park

Practical information

No water.
Along the Way of the Cross, numerous benches provide a welcome rest stop for the many tourists who follow this route.

In the nearby area

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 19 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
User 27651696

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 21, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A very interesting hike, but not that easy due to the significant elevation gain and the stones that roll under your shoes.
The view is magnificent.
For those hiking with their dogs like me, note that the start of the hike crosses Castellane via the main street (which is narrow) with all the tourist shops and still lots of tourists in September.

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rene combes
rene combes

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 06, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

hello
very nice, but it's quite a climb for old people to do again

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noelanik@orange.fr
noelanik@orange.fr

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : May 08, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Lovely walk. Beautiful view!

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adri1994
adri1994

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Dec 15, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A very beautiful hike with a friend, about 3 hours to complete the loop, with a superb view from the top of Notre Dame du Roc

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Le Chon
Le Chon

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 21, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Access to the Way of the Cross in the village is not very well signposted.
Fountain at the top of the path with a magnificent view of Castellane and the Verdon

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Anthony Irles
Anthony Irles

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 10, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

We completed this hike in 2½ hours. It is fairly easy and the view is magnificent when you reach the chapel. There is a water source at this spot, which is a bonus if you haven't brought enough bottles and for dogs, who can also get very thirsty.

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marchalombre83
marchalombre83

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 11, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

An alternative hike chosen because of an injury to my left foot. Perfect!

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yvanbidule
yvanbidule

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : May 12, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Hello. A lovely hike in beautiful weather. No major difficulties, beautiful views along the route. Superb 360° view from St Roc Chapel. Thank you for the information and the GPX file. yvanbidule

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Daniel MONB
Daniel MONB

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 12, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

To do with the family.
Please note that you can park in the swimming pool car park, which puts you right at the start of the walk.
return via the village streets.

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Rabusou Family
Rabusou Family

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 26, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Busy trail : No

The ascent route is uninteresting and, although marked, is not really maintained. A climb via the rocky path seems preferable and allows you to admire the ruins along the way. The return route is pleasant and shaded.

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david52600
david52600

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 21, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

there are two possible starting points at the bottom of the rock. We started from the centre, behind the church. The start is quite steep for a cold start, but it's fine. After that, you follow the Way of the Cross, which is a nice little "walk" where you can't get lost. The view from the top is nice and worth seeing.

We came back down the same way we went up

We had a great time

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NPP
NPP

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 07, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A beautiful walk in the hills above Castellane. However, it is not possible to return via the route described as there appears to be roadworks.
You can take the Croix path and descend into the village.

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yvan111165
yvan111165

Hike not completed

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edwz69
edwz69

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 26, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

a lovely little walk leading to the top of Castellane Rock, where the chapel is open!

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DdRando
DdRando

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 10, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A beautiful route with magnificent views. We descended via the path leading to the village, which was very pleasant as it allowed us to visit the semi-pedestrianised street afterwards.

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