Roman roads of Pays du Verdon
A hike in Pays du Verdon that takes ancient Roman roads, runs alongside an abandoned village and a chapel sheltered by rocks with magnificent landscapes.
Technical sheet No. 4098319
Calculated time: 5h25 ? 
Distance : 14.36 km
Vertical gain : 447 m
Vertical drop : 448 m
Highest point : 1,248 m
Lowest point : 931 m 
Difficulty : Moderate
Back to starting point : Yes
Walking
Area :
Alps
Location : La Palud-sur-Verdon
(04120) 
Starting point : N 43.806884° / E 6.333126° 
Today's forecast :
Description
You can park in Aubanes at the end of the D123.
From the car park follow the signs for the trail (Yellow marks and a shepherd’s silhouette) heading north-east climbing to the abandoned village of Chateauneuf-lès-Moustiers (1). Do not hesitate to visit the ruins and the small cemetery.
Continue via the lovely balcony track (still marked in yellow) overlooking the Bau stream. This track is actually an old Roman road that connected the Via Augusta and the Via Domitia. When the path runs along the rocks of Notre-Dame take a moment to head up and see the small Notre Dame chapel under the rock (2).
Continue on this trail to cross the stream (3) 3 and up onto the opposite bank. At the intersection, head in the direction of Les Bondils and return to the D17 (4) that follows it to the right for a few hundred metres.
(5) Then take the small path that heads left towards the hamlet of Les Maurels. You are back on an ancient Roman road, less visible than the last, following the mountain sides. Follow it paying attention to the yellow markings, until the trail heads back down to the stream (6) and joins the trail that goes up to Rougon. Head down to the right towards "Plaine de Chateauneuf" to reach the D17 (7).
On the D17 turn left at the next intersection following the small road down to the right before crossing the small river (8) and go up to the D123. Turn right to reach the car park
Waypoints :
D/A : km 0 - alt. 1,016 m
1 : km 1.04 - alt. 1,125 m
2 : km 2.2 - alt. 1,105 m
3 : km 4.28 - alt. 1,075 m
4 : km 6.18 - alt. 1,237 m
5 : km 6.51 - alt. 1,227 m
6 : km 9.45 - alt. 1,152 m
7 : km 10.41 - alt. 1,078 m
8 : km 11.75 - alt. 931 m
D/A : km 14.36 - alt. 1,014 m
Useful Information
The end of the circuit takes place on a small, quiet paved road.
Visorando and this author cannot be held responsible in the case of accidents or problems occuring on this walk.
During the walk or to do/see around
The abandoned village of Chateauneuf-les-Moustiers, the rock chapel and the old Roman roads.
The Gorges du Verdon of course, Lake Sainte-Croix and villages like Moustiers-Sainte-Marie or Rougon.
Opinions and comments
Average
Global average : 4/5
Number of opinions : 1
Clarity of route description : 4/5
Clarity of route map : 4/5
Walk interest : 4/5
Walker
Global average : 4 / 5
Date of walk
: 14/09/18
Clarity of route description
: ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map
: ★★★★☆ Good
Walk interest
: ★★★★☆ Good
Interesting walk just off the beaten track of the Gorges du Verdon area, in part along well preserved sections of Roman road, and passing through rural communities. Directions were good. Felt like we had learned and discovered new facets of an area we know well.
Other walks in the area
For more walks, use our search engine.
The GPS track and description are the property of the author.