Distance 10.5km
Elevation 308m
Duration 4h
On the old canal guard path, you will have the privilege of entering the lower Verdon gorges to reach the chapel of Sainte-Maxime.
Description
From the parking lot, head straight ahead toward the water sports center and the banks of the Verdon. Turn right at the water's edge and reach the bridge. Cross it and, 50 meters further on, you'll reach the start of the Basses Gorges trail.
1 - Go up to the right. Reach a first viewpoint and descend to the water's edge. Continue along the historic path, between the Verdon and the canal, for 1,5 km.
2 - At the footbridge at the "La Draille des Vaches" crossroads, continue straight ahead. Take two metal staircases along the route. Walk along the canal wall (be careful!) before entering the canal and reaching the canal guard shelter (interpretation panels).
3 - Cross a 120 m long tunnel and exit the canal via a metal staircase. Go up the bottom of the Sainte-Maxime valley for 1 km, then climb left to reach the plateau.
4 - Go left towards the Sainte-Maxime chapel.
5 - From the chapel, return by the same route. Back at point (4), continue straight ahead, follow the path under the oaks and reach an old oratory. Take the path on the right, pass in front of a ruin and continue left to the crossroads of the Draille des vaches.
6 - Follow the path to the right for 1 km crossing the Mallasoque plateau (a non-wooded route to be avoided on very hot days!). (NB: the route on the left "la Draille des vaches" goes directly back down to the footbridge, at the crossroads of the same name, a route with 300 steps which allows you to join the path by following the Verdon again.) At the end of the plateau, turn left onto the track and follow the path crossing it. Further down, join the main track and then the road.
7 - Go left along the canal to reach the departmental road further on. Follow it, cross the bridge and return to the starting point by the route taken on the outward journey.
Type : Marked loop
Distance : 10.5km
Elevation : 308m
Duration : 4h
Max altitude : 546m
Marking details
GR® - Small hike markings
Delicate passages
Bring 2 liters of water per person, a hat, walking shoes, and a flashlight. The presence of young children is not recommended without solid supervision (passage along the edge of the old canal, and path overlooking the Verdon). Dogs are prohibited even on a leash. It is strictly forbidden to go down into the tunnels (the site is classified as Natura 2000 and a Sensitive Natural Area of the Alpes de Haute-Provence department for the protection of bats).