Verdon le Grand Marges

Date of your route : Oct 29, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The climb to the summit of Grand Marges in pictures
https://youtu.be/9h_fC44oWOw
One of the most beautiful hikes in the region

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Date of your route : Sep 11, 2022
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

I did a round trip (9 km, 735 m elevation gain), which took me 6 hours
, stopping often to take photos because the landscape is magical from start to finish, where a 360° view awaits us.
I was impressed to see, among other things, the Pelvoux
If you are staying in the Verdon, this hike is a must.

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Date of your route : Oct 05, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Starting from the Illoire Pass, take the road with two hairpin bends and look for a small sign indicating the GR.
The trail is well marked until you reach the road.
Go down the road for 300 metres to find the path that leads back to the Col d'Illoire, which is the trail route.
Allow 6 hours.

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Date of your route : Sep 10, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

The return trip through the "small" forest to Col d'Illoire is very steep and slippery on the way down! In wet weather, it may even be impassable. It is best to return via the path you took on the way up, directly to Aiguines. The only markings in place are those for the trail; there are no other markings! Apart from this tricky descent to Col d'Illoire, it is a beautiful hike.

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Date of your route : May 24, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing

A very beautiful route with a slightly difficult climb at the start, but rewarded with a stunning view from the top of Margès over the Verdon Gorge, Lake Sainte-Croix, glimpses of snow-capped Alpine peaks and the summits of the Provençal mountains. The return journey was mostly along the road, as the path is not easy to find.

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Thank you for this information.

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It seems that the road is not closed all the way to the end. I seem to remember that it is between Aiguines and Falaises aux Cavaliers. The detour via the "right bank" road is quite significant.
We also had the idea of returning via the path overlooking the gorges (mentioned by some), but it is no longer maintained and you take it at your own risk. We were even told that the path was closed (Les Salles/Verdon tourist office).

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Thank you, Crapaudon
Is it not possible to return to the starting point via the road opposite Aiguines when coming from Comps-sur-Artuby?

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Date of your route : Oct 24, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

The "rive gauche" road is closed until 20 December 2017 just after the village of Aiguines. This means that it is not possible to complete the entire walk: you must make a return trip to the summit.

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Date of your route : Jan 22, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A MUST: a picnic at the summit of Grand Margès...the lake at your feet, magnificent 360° panorama... stone table, chairs and armchairs... very comfortable... and on top of that, on that particular day, bright sunshine and 12 friendly chamois picnicking too, visible through our binoculars... we didn't want to come back down... ;-))

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Date of your route : Oct 28, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Pure bliss with a superb view.

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Date of your route : Apr 15, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very beautiful hike. It would be a shame to miss out on the return trip via the PR trail overlooking the gorges. Contrary to what has been said previously, the route does not present any particular difficulty for those who hike regularly in the mountains. It is true that the vegetation tends to become denser, but it remains very passable. The route towards the Col d'Iloire is fairly obvious. There are still some yellow markings and cairns in certain sections.
There is only one point of uncertainty at the end of the first scree slope, as a small dead tree blocks the entrance to the path.
This route should be avoided when the ground is very wet, but this applies to the entire hike.
It wouldn't take much to restore the PR: a little paint and a few snips with the shears...

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Date of your route : May 15, 2015
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Start of the GR hike opposite the Aigle campsite on the D71. Follow the circular trail, which involves a long climb through the forest before reaching the summit at 1,571 metres. We couldn't enjoy it as there was a strong wind on the ridge and it was freezing cold. After a quick snack, we continued along the GR trail, which passes through military terrain, before descending and rejoining the D71 road. At this point, descend the tarmac road for about 400m and take the track opposite. From there, start the long return trail overlooking the gorges. There are old yellow markings, but they are very faded. The trail is not well used and vegetation has taken over in places... Personally, I liked it. I didn't find it particularly dangerous.

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Date of your route : Aug 27, 2014
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

I did this hike in two days, camping on the edge of the Canjuers reservoir (which is impressively vast). A beautiful route through the forest on the way there and a superb return journey under the beech trees. Beautiful panoramic views overlooking the gorges. On the way back, do not attempt the path overlooking the gorges; it is really dangerous. It is dense, steep-sided and dark, and anyone who loses their footing...

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Date of your route : May 16, 2014
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

The highlight of the route is the climb up Margès and the start of the descent opposite Canjuers. Only the "return" leg of this route poses a problem. That is, when you start walking along the Verdon Gorge. The path is poorly marked, and there are many opportunities to lose your way. What's more, the path is in poor condition and sometimes difficult to walk on, especially when you're already tired from the walk. This part of the route also takes place in the undergrowth and isn't particularly interesting. The noise of motorbikes travelling through the gorges detracts somewhat from the charm of this hike (but that's just my personal opinion!).

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