Hiking Verdon Gorges Martel trail - Itinerary, map and stages

If you are on vacation in the South of France or road trip in Provence and you want to do the hiking on the Blanc Martel trail in the Gorges du Verdon ? So here are some useful info and my detailed route with interactive map that you can follow along the hike!

Hike Gorges du Verdon Martel trail - Why?

When I had decided to pass 3 or 4 days in the Gorges du Verdon, I told myself that I had to discover by car (over there ridge route and by Sublime cornice) but also when hiking. Yes, but there are dozens of hikes in the Gorges du Verdon ...

It was by reading travel blogs and going on forums that I understood that if we have to do only one, it is the hiking the Sentier Martel that you have to choose. Indeed, this Blanc-Martel trail is renowned for being the most beautiful hike in the Gorges du Verdon which allows you to discover the most beautiful sites of the Verdon grand canyon.

Hike Gorges du Verdon Martel trail - Easy or not?

16 kilometers of hiking, oulah… I said to myself that it might not be for me… But as I absolutely wanted to do this legendary hike, I said bingo: let's do it!

In fact, I put 7:10 am to do this Martel trail but taking the time to take breaks and lots of pictures. For good walkers or people more athletic than me, this hike can be done in 6 hours.

In the end, I will say that for me who is not a great athlete, I did not find any great difficulty in doing this hike (which I loved). You should still know that there are some ladder passages and quite impressive stair climbs.

Hiking Verdon Gorges Martel trail - Where to start?

As the Martel trail does not make a loop, I was told that I had to:

  • Go by car and park in La Palud-sur-Verdon,
  • From La Palud-sur-Verdon, take the Blanc-Martel shuttle which allows you to reach the Maline chalet (starting point of the trail),
  • Start the hike in front of the Maline chalet (path on the left marked in white and red),
  • The end of the hike is at Sublime Point. From there it is necessary take the Blanc-Martel shuttle back to La Palud-sur-Verdon where you parked the car.

Sentier Blanc-Martel - How to do it?

My hike took place in 2 main parts:

  • Morning: Hiking from Maline to Belvédère de Trescaire (10 km);
  • Afternoon: Hiking from Belvédère de Trescaire to Point Sublime (6 km).
RIVIERE DU VERDON IN SUMMER

Blanc-Martel Trail - Morning route map


White-Martel Trail hike - Morning stages

I will summarize below the main stages of the 1st part of the Martel trail which is done in a good morning (starting very very early):

Stage from Chalet de la Maline to Pas d'Issane

  • Take the path to the left of the Maline chalet
  • Follow the route in red and white (part of the GR4)
  • Descent to the bottom of the Gorges du Verdon
Descent of the Martel trail to the Gorges du Verdon
  • After 20 minutes of walking, you arrive at a fork where you have to turn left towards the Sentier de l'Imbut (indicated).
  • Then take the stairs to cross the rocky passage of the No Issane (a little steep).

Step of Pas d'Issane with Baume aux Boeufs

  • The hike descends to the bed of the Verdon following a succession of switchbacks.
  • Arrival on the Verdon at Issane meadow which is a small pebble beach.
Stage of the Martel trail: beach Pré d'issane
  • Follow the hike along the Verdon passing through several caves.
  • Passage of the scree of Guègues by a metal staircase.
  • 10 minutes later, arrival at the Beef Balm.

Baume aux Boeufs stage at Belvédère de Trescaire

  • We arrive at the place where the path separates into two parts: one part indicates The Mescla and the other The Sublime Point.
  • To follow the direction of the Martel trail, take the path that indicates Le Point Sublime. However, it is advisable to make a small detour via the Mescla to enjoy an extraordinary viewpoint over the Belvédère de la Mescla. Then return to take the right path.
  • By resuming the direction of Point Sublime, we reach the Imbert's Breach. You will have to suffer a little during the 240 steps of the staircase and the 6 ladders… Indeed, the Brèche Imbert constitutes a cliff 150 m high which advances towards the Verdon and constitutes a natural barrier that must be crossed!
Stage of my itinerary in the Gorges du Verdon, Martel trail
  • Then you will have to go up the path along the swallow balm.
  • The path describes a pin on the right, passes under the Dog balm and draw a pin again.
  • Then we come to the Baumes Fères beach on the right.
  • Then you have to take a long walk which ends under the ocher cliffs of l'Escalet.
  • The hike continues along the bed of the Verdon until Belvedere of Tréscaire.
Hike Gorges du Verdon Martel trail My itinerary with GOOGLE MAP

Blanc-Martel Trail - Afternoon itinerary map

Blanc Martel trail hiking route map

White-Martel Trail Hiking - Afternoon Stages

In the afternoon, it is the shortest part but which has the most tunnels. Don't forget the headlamps ...

Stage from Tréscaire to Point Sublime

  • From the Belvédère de Tréscaire and a good walk, you will reach the Balms tunnel. This tunnel is the first in a series of tunnels.
  • Leave it on the left and continue down the cliff. We arrive at a small metal staircase, which joins the exit of the Tunnel des Baumes.
  • Continuing on this path, you then arrive at the Trescaire tunnel. (110 m long).
trescaire tunnel
  • At the exit of the Tunnel, the Gorges tighten between the walls of the Escalès on the left and the walls of the Duke and the Encastel on the right.
MY HIKING IN THE GORGES DU VERDON
  • Then, finally, you will come to the Baou tunnel (670 m long).
  • This tunnel is curved and holes in the rock provide access to the Verdon.
Stage from the Belvédère de Tréscaire to the Sublime Point Gorges du Verdon
  • After exiting the tunnel, the path descends to the bottom of the Verdon.
  • Then cross the Baou torrent by a footbridge.
  • Then, you will have to go up to the parking lot of the Samson Corridor Belvedere.
  • And you can finally join the Sublime Point by following a section of the GR4 which joins the edge of the cliff and climbs a vertical drop of 110 m to the Point Sublime car park.
HIKING MARTEL GORGES DU VERDON TRAIL arrival at POINT SUBLIME
Sublime point in the Gorges du Verdon

Gorges du Verdon - Which hotel?

If you are looking for accommodation that combines comfort, calm, nature and a Provençal atmosphere, I recommend the hotel Le Provence. Indeed, it is ideally located in the Gorges du Verdon park and offers a really nice setting with local colors! Its little extra is its restaurant and its homemade pastries.

See this hotel near the Gorges du Verdon

Gorges du Verdon - Original accommodation

Here is an original and inexpensive accommodation very close to Castellane: A yurt in the middle of nature but very comfortable!

See this yurt in Castellane

Good walks and beautiful hikes!

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