FAQ Sentier Blanc-Martel

The Blanc-Martel trail is the most famous itinerary in the Gorges du Verdon,
located in the Verdon Regional Nature Park. It offers hikers a
immersive experience at the bottom of Europe’s largest canyon.

The mythical Verdon sites you’ll cross include the Pré d’Issane, the
baume aux bœufs, la Mescla, la brèche Imbert, les éboulis de Guègues, les
Trescaïre and Baou tunnels, the Samson Corridor, and many others.

We recommend hiking in the direction of La Maline to Le Point.
Sublime for many reasons, including an easier descent and a better
coordination with the shuttle.

Although very popular during the summer season, the number of visitors to the trail remains low.

The trail starts at the Chalet de la Maline in the village of La Palud-sur-Verdon.

It’s a one-way trip of 16 km.

It takes between 6 and 7 hours to complete the route.

The trail is considered to be very difficult and is not recommended for children under 18.
children under 8 and people suffering from vertigo.

Shuttles are available in season to drop off hikers in the morning.
at Chalet de la Maline and pick them up at Point Sublime in the late afternoon.
Shuttle bookings can be made online. There is also a
cab to be booked in advance.

Yes, the trail is closed to dogs and ATVs. What’s more, swimming in the
Verdon is prohibited throughout the canyon.

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

Hikers should bring sturdy hiking boots, a pair of hiking boots and a jacket.
lamp for the tunnels, at least 2 liters of water per person, a picnic lunch, an
warm clothing, sun protection (cap or hat and sunscreen).

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 3:30 pm to 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.

Reservations are mandatory and can only be made online!

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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

Reservations for the Blanc-Martel trail shuttle are mandatory and can only be made online!

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The shuttle bus stops at La Palud-sur-Verdon, just past the Hotel Le Provence on the left-hand side of the RD23.

Our advice: be punctual so you don’t miss the start!

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Yes. There’s a special parking area for your vehicle. It’s just past the children’s playground in the village of La Palud-sur-Verdon, on the left.

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Take the RD952 towards La Palud-sur-Verdon.

Go through the village. Take the first left, and you’ll pass Joe le Snacky’s restaurant. Continue along the RD23, and you’ll see the Hôtel Le Provence on your left, followed by the shuttle bus stop.

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

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The 450 Castellane-Riez bus route operates from the beginning of May to the end of September 2023. Departure is at 7.15am from Place Marcel Sauvaire in Castellane, arriving at 8.05am in the village of La Palud-sur-Verdon, with the shuttle departing at 8.30am.

Other possible departures:

7:23 Domaine du Verdon (Camping du Verdon stop)

7:30 a.m. Chasteuil Provence (Chasteuil stop)

7:35 am Huttopia (Clos d’Arremus stop)

7.45 am Verdon Carajuan (Carajuan stop)

7:50 a.m. Rougon (Point Sublime stop)

See schedules

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.

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The 450 Riez-Castellane bus route runs from the beginning of July to the end of September 2023. Departure is at 9:05 am from Riez (Collège M Javelly Pre de foire stop) and at 9:25 am from Moustiers-Sainte-Marie (RD952 detour stop) for arrival at 10:00 am in the village of La Palud-sur-Verdon, shuttle departure at 10:30 am.

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Yes. Parking is free. It is located in a field below the children’s playground in the village of La Palud-sur-Verdon.

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No. The shuttle runs from Friday April 21 until early November 2023.

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

From April 21 to June 30, 2023: Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, as well as public holidays and long weekends.

From July 1 to September 17, 2023: every day with more shuttles per day (maximum 4 round trips per day).

From September 22 to November 5, 2023: 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 a.m.) and return from Point Sublime to the village of La Palud-sur-Verdon (3:30 p.m.).

Case study: On the day of your reservation, you see that there are several shuttles, with morning departure times of 8:30 and 9:30 and afternoon departure times of 3:30 and 4:30. However, you won’t be able to choose between taking the 8:30 a.m. shuttle and the 4:30 p.m. return shuttle. For an 8:30 a.m. departure, return only at 3:30 p.m.

See shuttle timetable

A simple route
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 runs only from the beginning of May to the end of September 2023.

Case study: You take the morning bus from Castellane or Rougon (Carajuan or Point Sublime stops) to La Palud-sur-Verdon, then the one-way shuttle bus. This option allows you to take more time to do the Blanc Martel trail, as the bus back to Point Sublime to Castellane is at 5.25pm.

See the 450 bus timetable

Yes. There is a minimum of 1 round-trip shuttle per day.

Departure at 8:30 am from the village of La Palud-sur-Verdon to the Chalet de la Maline and return at 3:30 pm from Point Sublime to the village.

Depending on the season, the number of shuttles increases, up to 4 per day in July and August, to regulate traffic and limit parking.

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

Yes. If you haven’t booked online, you can buy your ticket and pay the driver by credit card on the day (subject to availability).

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 bus on the same day, especially at the height of summer.

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Yes, here are the price details:

Round trip

8.50 per adult
5.50 per child (under 12)

Single trip

5.50 (adult, child)

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

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To cancel or postpone your ticket, you must first fill in a form. If all conditions are met, a refund will be made no later than December of the current year.

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Yes. Reservations are compulsory and can only be made online. However, if the shuttle is less than 85% full, it is possible to take the shuttle on the same day.

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

I reserve

Yes. With a round-trip ticket, the trail can be completed in around 5h30 without a break. The shuttle’s round-trip time slots give you 6.45 hours (departure at 8.50 a.m. from Chalet de la Maline and return at 3.30 p.m. to Point Sublime) to complete the hike, which is plenty of time.

Our advice: manage your time! The Imbert breach is located 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. The Blanc Martel trail is a 16km 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 Le sentier du Lézard – Couloir Samson.

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No. Dogs are not allowed on the shuttle, and especially not on the Blanc-Martel trail.

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

Be careful! All tickets are nominative and can be checked by order number.