FAQ Sentier Blanc-Martel

If you choose not to use the Blanc-Martel shuttle to organise your hike on the trail, here are two options:

1. Book a taxi to drop you off at the Chalet de la Maline, after parking your vehicle at the Couloir Samson car park – Three taxis offer this service at a cost similar to that of the shuttle. Here are their contact details to book your transfer:
   • Taxi La Palud-sur-Verdon: 06 20 32 87 47
   • Taxi Verdon: 06 68 18 13 13
   • Taxi Rougonnais: 06 42 23 63 70
2. Do a return hike from the Point Sublime – Instead of walking the whole trail (16 km), you can choose a return hike starting from the Point Sublime. This means going through the Couloir Samson and continuing to a point where you turn back to the Couloir Samson car park, where you will have parked your vehicle.

The only trail that is truly inside the Verdon Gorges, following the course of the Verdon at the bottom of the canyon.

It offers hikers a unique immersive experience.

The Blanc-Martel trail, famous as the most emblematic route in the Verdon Gorges, lies in the heart of the Verdon Regional Nature Park.

The mythical Verdon sites you’ll cross include:

• the Pré d’Issane
• the Baume aux Bœufs
• La Mescla
• Brèche Imbert
• the Guègues scree
• the Trescaïre and Baou tunnels
• the Baou tunnel with the Baume aux Pigeons
• the Couloir Samson
• and many others.

Shuttles are available from La Palud-sur-Verdon in season.

The shuttles drop hikers off at the Chalet de la Maline in the morning and pick them up at Point Sublime in the late afternoon.

Shuttle bookings are made online.

There is also a taxi service to be booked in advance.

See the shuttle explanation further down on this page.

It’s a one-way trip of 16 km.

It takes between 6 and 7 hours, including breaks (about 5 hours 30 minutes without a break), to complete the route.

Hikers should bring:

• sturdy hiking boots
• a lamp for the tunnels
• at least 2 liters of water per person
• a picnic lunch
• warm clothing
• sun protection (cap or hat and sunscreen)

Yes, the flow of the Verdon is variable, and the trail can be submerged. Before starting your hike, we recommend you contact the reception desks in Castellane and La Palud-sur-Verdon to find out the flow rate of the Verdon.

Swimming is therefore prohibited to avoid any danger.

Yes, the trail is closed to dogs and mountain bikes.

What’s more, swimming in the Verdon is prohibited throughout the canyon.

Take the RD952 towards La Palud-sur-Verdon.

In the village, take the first right. Continue along the RD23, and on your left you’ll see the Lou Cafetié restaurant, the Le Provence hotel and the shuttle bus stop.

Turn left along the children’s playground to the dedicated parking area in the field.

See location

The 450 Riez-Castellane bus route is available; times vary depending on the day and the season, so check the information and book on the line 450 timetable.

In both cases, taxis offer transfers from the Couloir Samson car park (or from the Point Sublime, depending on the season) to the Chalet de la Maline (starting point of the hike).
This also lets you hike at your own pace.

3 taxis offer this service (at a cost close to that of the shuttle); here are their contact details:

• Taxi La Palud-sur-Verdon: 06 20 32 87 47
• Taxi Verdon: 06 68 18 13 13
• Taxi Rougonnais: 06 42 23 63 70

Contact them to book your transfer.

The Blanc-Martel shuttle brings hikers to and from the start and finish points of the Blanc-Martel trail.

Morning departure at 8:30 am from the village of La Palud-sur-Verdon, to the Chalet de la Maline (starting point of the hike).

Return in the afternoon at 4:00 pm from Point Sublime (finish of the hike) to the village of La Palud-sur-Verdon. The number of rotations varies according to the number of passengers and the season.

Online booking is strongly recommended!

Book now

This eco-responsible transport service is part of the Grand Site project led by the Parc naturel régional du Verdon.

Grand site des Gorges du Verdon

No. The shuttle runs from late April to early November.

Depending on the holiday periods, it runs on certain days, then every day in July and August.

• From late April to June: Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, as well as public holidays and long weekends.
• From July to mid-September: every day, with more shuttles per day (up to 3 round trips per day).
• From mid-September to early November: Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays and long weekends.

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No. Here are the 2 options.

One round trip
Departure from the village of La Palud-sur-Verdon to the Chalet de la Maline (8:30 am) and return from Point Sublime to the village of La Palud-sur-Verdon (4:00 pm).

Example: On the day of your booking, you see that there are several shuttles, with morning departures at 8:30 and 9:30 am and afternoon departures at 4:00 and 5:00 pm. However, you cannot combine the 8:30 am shuttle with the 5:00 pm return. For an 8:30 am departure, the return is only at 4:00 pm.

See shuttle timetable

A one-way trip
From the village of La Palud-sur-Verdon to the Chalet de la Maline (mornings only). For the return journey (in the afternoon), you’ll take the 450 bus line, which only runs from the beginning of May to the end of September.

Example: You take the morning bus from Castellane or Rougon (Carajuan or Point Sublime stops) to La Palud-sur-Verdon, then the one-way shuttle. This option gives you more time to do the Blanc-Martel trail, as the return bus from Point Sublime to Castellane is at 5:25 pm.

See the 450 bus timetable

The shuttle runs from late April to early November.

There is at least 1 shuttle per day doing a round trip.

Departure at 8:30 am from the village of La Palud-sur-Verdon to the Chalet de la Maline and return at 4:00 pm from Point Sublime to the village.

Depending on the season, the number of shuttles increases, up to 3 per day in July and August, to regulate visitor numbers and limit parking. During this period, returns are at 4, 5 and 6 pm.

As soon as 85% of the shuttle’s capacity is reached, an additional shuttle will automatically be offered on the online booking site.

Please note – this additional shuttle option is only activated 48 hours in advance. (For example, if increased demand is seen 24 hours before the second rotation, an additional shuttle cannot be arranged. Plan accordingly for a pleasant, trouble-free trip.)

Yes, here are the prices:

Round trip

€8.50 per adult
€5.50 per child (under 12)

One-way trip

€4.50 (adult, child)

Yes, but only subject to availability. If you haven’t booked online, you can buy your ticket and pay the driver by credit card on the day, provided that not all seats have been booked online (100% of bookings not reached) and that you arrive early enough (other people may also come without a booking).

To find out how many places are left on each shuttle scheduled for the following day, you can visit the booking site after 6pm. And you can plan accordingly: postpone your trip or buy your ticket on the spot the next day.

Our tip: plan your Blanc-Martel trail hike with peace of mind by booking your tickets online. We strongly advise against taking the shuttle on the same day without a booking, especially at the height of summer.

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Reservations are only cancelled in the event of a red or orange Météo France alert.

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No. The Blanc-Martel trail is a 16 km one-way hike. Difficult, some passages are technical and, on average, it will take you 6 to 7 hours to complete the trail.

The hike is not recommended for children under 8, or for adults and children sensitive to vertigo.

Our advice: with young children, opt for the Couloir Samson.

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Yes. With a round-trip ticket, the trail takes about 5 hours 30 minutes without a break (6 to 7 hours with breaks). The shuttle’s outward and return times give you 7 hours 10 minutes (arrival at the Maline around 8:50 am and return at 4:00 pm from Point Sublime) to complete the hike, which is enough.

Our advice: manage your time! The Brèche Imbert is halfway along the route. After the tunnels, it’s about an hour’s walk. And to climb back up to Point Sublime from the Couloir Samson lookout, allow half an hour.

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No. You can present your ticket to the driver in printed or digital form (on smartphone or tablet).

Please note! All tickets are issued in the holder’s name and can be checked by order number.