The l'Imbut Trail, Gorges du Verdon
Get a close look at the Verdon Gorge with this amazing trail
Regarded as one of the more difficult trails of the Verdon region, the l'Imbut trail is perfectly manageable for the competent hiker with the use of the fixed cables and ladders.
Located just 20 minutes south of Aiguines along the D71, there is parking just next to the Hotel des Cavaliers, or on the adjacent road. This fantastic hike uses fixed wires and ladders to give you access to places you would not normally find yourself, and as a result offers some amazing views overlooking the Gorges du Verdon
Jump to
What to bring
This walk can be found on IGN map 3442 OT, Gorges du Verdon
What to see
Sights in Provence
See all Sights in Provence-
Gorges du Verdon
The French Grand Canyon, the Grand Canyon of Verdon, the Gorges du Verdon, by whatever name this natural phenomenon is referred to it will remain to the beholder as one of the most spectacular sites in Europe.
-
Musee de Faykod (De Faykod Museum), Aups
Some 50 white marble sculptures by Maria de Faykod, renowned sculptor with numerous existing works. She had the original idea to open a garden which exhibit some of her work to the public.
-
Musee Simon Segal Contemporary Art, Aups
The museum groups 3 schools of painting - Toulon, Bourges and Paris - with over 280 works on show.
-
Maison de la Truffe, Aups
The truffle has a long history here in Aups; for many years now they have been grown, harvested, retailed, shared and eaten.
-
Les Grottes de Villecroze, Villecroze
These caves were formed some 700,000 years at the end of the last ice age. They are the the result of a slow calcification of plants and mosses in a huge waterfall that covered the whole of the current cliff.
-
Bargeme Castle, Bargeme
Sadly, this castle is not open to the public but there is enough of it on view to get a good feel of what it must have looked like when it was in use.
Where to lunch
Restaurants in Provence
See all Restaurants in Provence-
Les Chenes Verts Restaurant, Tourtour
This Michelin starred restaurant is situated on the outskirts of Tourtour and specialise in truffle dishes.
-
Mickael Feval Restaurant
This elegant restaurant is a must-visit for any lovers of modern cuisine and cooking methods. They embrace local produce and evolve their dishes according to the seasons.
-
La Cour d'Honneur Restaurant
Located right in the centre of Avignon on a well known shopping street is La Cour d'Honneur.
-
L'Atelier de Jean-Luc Rabanel Restaurant
This wonderful contemporary-styled restaurant features dishes that you may never have suspected to have existed.
-
Le Temp de Vivre Restaurant, Uchaux
Le Temps de Vivre is situated in the little hamlet of Les Farjons just down the road from Uchaux.
-
La Vache a Carreaux Restaurant
This small restaurant is on the Rue Peyrollerie, a winding alley just off the Place St Pierre. It is a great option for vegetarians, offering a wide variety of cheese dishes and salads but there are also fish dishes available.
What to do
Things To Do in Provence
See all Things To Do in Provence-
Domaine Le Sagittaire Waterpark, Nyons
In the depths of the Drôme countryside in the French Provence, this 5 Star Residential Campsite comes complete with an entirely heated Aquatic Complex, which is open to the public.
-
Aqualand Waterpark, St Cyr Sur Mer
Aqualand in St Cyr Sur Mer offer you 11 wicked slides in a great park environment with drinks, food, and shops for you to enjoy.
-
Aqualand Waterpark, Sainte Maxime
This is probably the most family orientated waterpark on the Cote d'Azur. With several friendly slides, a fun pool, food and drinks, ice creams, and shopping all at hand.
-
Nyonsoleiado Waterpark, Nyons
Waterpark complex that contains a lagoon, 25m pool, whirlpool basin, waterslides for children and adults, cascades of water, rivers, paddling pools and much more.
-
Wave Island Waterpark, Monteux
This huge waterpark covers an area of 4.7 hectares and includes a surf simulator, waterslides and a river feature called river land.
-
Aqualand Waterpark, Frejus
With numerous slides, including the King Cobra - unique is western Europe - this is the largest waterpark on the Cote d'Azur! Inludes a rest area, show area, clockroom, fast food, grill and pizzeria, ice creams, drinks, and shop.
Where to stay
Cycling Hotels in Provence
See all Cycling Hotels in Provence-
Domaine de Pierravon B&B, Bedoin
This fortified farmhouse has been converted into a lovely B&B not far from Bedoin village centre.
-
Hotel des Pins, Bedoin
Hotel des Pins has 25 rooms and suites, a restaurant, a terrace, and a garden.
Price: €1,498
-
La Bastide des Bourguets B&B, Sault
Perched on a small cliff, this B&B enjoys great views of the village of Sault below.
Price: €1,617
-
L'Escapade Hotel, Bedoin
Located in a charming small village, with free parking and bike storage.
-
Mon Ventoux B&B, near Sault
This charming B&B has four individually decorated bedrooms, free WiFi and indoor storage for bikes.
-
La Garance Hotel, Bedoin
Set in a renovated farmhouse surrounded by vineyards and olive trees, the hotel has 16 bedrooms with a choice between queen-size or twin beds.
Price: €979
Directions
After parking near the hotel, walk back along the road (north) for a few minutes and you will see a large wooden sign on the right hand side of the road giving details of the hikes.
Follow the GR99, signposted to Estellier for about 25-45 minutes down to the river and the high tech bridge that crosses the Gorge. For the l'Imbut trail you must not cross the bridge but take the path to the left that follows the river downstream. The trail follows the river and along the way it gets very narrow and give the exposed feeling of a climbing route but with the cables in place it offers great security.
Along this route there are a few places to escape the summer sun and take a dip in the river. Caution is advised and be aware of the river levels.
After an hour and a half you will start to climb and you will soon see a signpost for the Vidal trail, if you are running out of time you can take this trail out of the canyon (small yellow and red markings), otherwise take a right at the sign, marked l'Imbut 30 minutes. The trail down will bring you to some rocky beaches where the trail is hard to follow, look out for the white markings on the rocks.
To return follow the trail back up towards teh Vidal signpost (30 minutes). From here you can follow the same route back or take the Vidal trail that climbs quite quickly back out of the canyon.
If you take the Vidal trail it leads to the D71 road, you can either follow this back to the car park (3km) or continue over the road and take the GR99 trail back which is further up the hill.