The Blanc-Martel trail is the most famous trail of the Verdon Gorges, it is also and especially one of the must-see routes and the one that allows you to travel the longest distance at the bottom of the canyon, near the Verdon.
The hike is a one-way trip of 16 km.
Allow 6 to 7 hours to walk through it.
The positive difference in height is 600 m.
Due to its difficulty, the trail is not recommended for children under 8 years of age or for people suffering from vertigo.
The Blanc-Martel trail is impassable when the Chaudanne dam drops more than 80 m3/s. To know the flows of the Verdon, contact the tourist information offices in Castellane and La Palud-sur-Verdon.
The starting point of the Blanc-Martel trail, the ‘Chalet de la Maline’ is located in the village of La Palud-sur-Verdon. Collective lodging and restaurant, this is the meeting point for hikers on the GR 4.
Dsc01434The Blanc-Martel trail is a 16 km long one-way trail.
The path allows you to access the bottom of the canyon, as close as possible to the Verdon and to discover mythical places of the Verdon such as the Pré d’Issane, the cave ‘Baume aux Bœufs’, the Mescla, the brèche Imbert trail, the scree ‘Éboulis de Guègues’, the tunnels of Trescaïre and Baou, the Couloir Samson!
Between steep path on a cliff side and shady underbrush passages, the Blanc-Martel trail is an alternation of rhythmic and exceptional landscapes that allows you to enter the intimacy of this exceptional site.
Although the trail is very popular in the summer season, the number of visitors remains low. Some time after the arrival of the shuttle bus, the flow of hikers who engage in the laces under the ‘Chalet de la Maline’ gradually dissipates, making the Verdon regain its wild character.
Sentier Blanc Martel Alpes de Haute Provence 
Sentier Blanc Martel
Sentier Blanc Martel Alpes de Haute Provence 
Sentier Blanc Martel Alpes de Haute Provence The arrival point, the Point Sublime on the commune of Rougon marks the end of the journey. After having crossed the tunnel of the Samson corridor, you will have to take the stairs to the belvedere and then the path to the Point Sublime. 200 meters of difference in level and you are there!
Our advice: Continue your climb to the Sublime Point while your muscles are warm. If you feel the need, stop at the Samson Corridor (Couloir Samson) belvedere, but only for a few minutes; otherwise you may encounter difficulties in the last part.
Tunnel couloir Samson Sentier Blanc Martel Gorges du Verdon 
Balade en famille Gorges du Verdon The adventure is yours! To prepare your hike on the Blanc-Martel trail, here are our recommendations.
Sentier Blanc Martel Alpes de Haute Provence It is managed by the Verdon Regional Natural Park and made available to hikers who wish to make the Blanc-Martel trail.
From May 13, 2021, it is back in service!
All year round, you can contact taxis that take you from Point Sublime to Chalet de la Maline.
Our advice: Contact them at least one day before to set the time and the appointment point.
Sentier Blanc Martel brèche de l'Imbert Alpes de Haute Provence We recommend hiking in the La Maline direction towards ‘Le Point Sublime’ for several reasons.
At the beginning of the 20th century, Alfred-Edouard Martel, passionate about hydrogeology and caving, was commissioned by the Ministry of Agriculture to find new drinking water resources to supply Provence.
In 1905, accompanied by a team of locals, including Isidore Blanc, a teacher from Rougon, a naturalist guide and a wildlife enthusiast, they set out to discover the wild abyss that is the Grand Canyon du Verdon.
They left the Samson Corridor (Couloir Samson) and arrived safely 4 days later at the Galetas. They are the first to walk the entire canyon. A little later, in the 30s, the Touring Club de France opens the famous trail that descends from the Maline and joins the Samson Corridor.
