Trail du Verdon

The Trail du Verdon is a 52-kilometer trail race with 2,800 meters of elevation gain that takes place in the gorges and plateaus of the Verdon, in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department, starting from Castellane. The Verdon is one of the most famous rivers in France, known worldwide for its spectacular gorges, the largest in Europe, and for the turquoise color of its waters. Castellane, a small town of 1,500 inhabitants dominated by the Roc, an impressive 184-meter-high limestone cliff, is the historic gateway to the Verdon gorges.

The Verdon gorges, often called the Grand Canyon of Europe, extend for nearly 25 kilometers between Castellane and the Lac de Sainte-Croix. The limestone cliffs bordering the river reach 700 meters in height in places, and the Verdon flows at the bottom of a narrow canyon with vertiginous walls. This exceptional natural site, classified since 1990, attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors from around the world each year who come to admire this unique geological spectacle.

The 52-kilometer Trail du Verdon course explores the different facets of this extraordinary territory. The trails follow paths along the ridges overlooking the gorges, offering vertiginous perspectives on the canyon and the turquoise waters of the river below. The route also passes through lavender plateaus stretching across the heights, holm oak and Aleppo pine forests covering the slopes, and stone villages punctuating the landscape.

With 2,800 meters of positive elevation gain over 52 kilometers, the Trail du Verdon is an event that demands good physical condition and solid mountain trail experience. The profile is marked by sustained climbs from the Verdon valley floor to the plateaus and ridges, followed by technical descents plunging toward the gorges. The trails are often technical, with rocky passages, stone-carved stairs, narrow balcony sections above the void, and crossings of rocky garrigue.

The limestone terrain of the Verdon is distinctive. The cliffs and plateaus are composed of Urgonian limestone, a light and hard rock that has been sculpted by erosion into spectacular forms. Karst pavements, caves, swallow holes, and natural arches are numerous along the course. Limestone can be slippery in wet conditions, and passages along the gorges demand permanent attention due to exposure to the void.

The Verdon climate is Mediterranean at altitude, with exceptional sunshine and hot, dry summers. Temperatures at the bottom of the gorges can be high in summer, amplified by the reflection from the cliffs. In contrast, the plateaus and ridges often benefit from a welcome breeze. The mistral can blow forcefully on exposed parts of the course. Thunderstorms, rare but violent, can transform trails into temporary torrents in karst zones.

The wildlife of the Verdon is remarkable. Griffon vultures, reintroduced in the gorges in 1999, soar majestically above the cliffs. Cinereous vultures and Egyptian vultures complete this community of great raptors. Chamois, mouflon, wild boar, and deer are present in the forests and on the plateaus. The Verdon waters harbor trout and barbel in a preserved aquatic ecosystem.

For international runners, Castellane is accessible from Nice, approximately 80 kilometers via the famous Route Napoleon. From Marseille, access is via the A51 motorway then departmental roads through the Haute-Provence plateaus. Nice and Marseille airports are the most practical entry points. Accommodation in Castellane and the gorge villages is varied, with hotels, lodges, campsites, and bed-and-breakfasts, in a setting combining Provencal authenticity and natural grandeur.

Assistance on the Trail du Verdon is a precious asset due to the potential heat, significant elevation gain, and technicality of the course. An assistant able to position at car-accessible points can provide cool drinks, adapt equipment, and offer moral support during the most demanding passages. Knowledge of the winding roads surrounding the gorges is a considerable advantage for optimizing movements between aid stations.

The Trail du Verdon is a race offering immersion in one of the most spectacular landscapes in Europe. Running at the edge of the Verdon gorges, under the flight of vultures and above the turquoise waters, is an experience that transcends sport to become a moment of pure contemplation. It is a race that inscribes in memory images of unreal power and beauty.

Trail du Verdon is a 52 km trail race with 2,800 m of elevation gain, located in Castellane, Alpes-de-Haute-Provence. The next edition is scheduled for 20 September 2026.

Find all official information on the race website.