Trail running in the Verdon Gorge, Spring training (4 days)

Caroline, a UIMLA-certified guide, will lead you on this glorious and fun 4-day trip of trail running around one of the most spectacular sights in Southwest France, the Verdon Gorge, a slice of paradise that is truly awe-inspiring and beautiful.

Group

4 Days

Apr

High

Intermediate

Highlights

Practice your trail running amongst the stunning setting of the Verdon Gorge!
Witness the vivid and bright colours of the water and surrounding nature
Stay overnight in gorgeous chalet accommodation overlooking the gorge!

Description

I will guide you on this 4-day trail running adventure through some of the best landscape, terrain and scenery that Europe has to offer, where not only will we improve your technique and fitness to enable you to tackle even more challenging trails and mountains, but we will also discover some of the absolutely stunning hidden nooks and crannies that litter this area, the mighty Verdon Gorge, in Southeastern France.

Located close to the French Riviera and between the towns of Castellane and Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, the Verdon Gorge is one of the most popular places to visit in Southeastern France, as its raw natural beauty and evocative, vivid colours draw people in, not to mention the wide array of gorgeous views to admire.

Meeting on the first morning in Grenoble, we then drive to the Verdon area where we will brief you on the course and dispense any relevant equipment and safety information.

We then hit the trails in earnest, as we start with the 10km Bastidon trail to ease in to proceedings, before spending the night relaxing over a glass of wine in our chalet accommodation overlooking the gorge.

The subsequent 2 days are spent trail running long distances (25-30km) around different terrains, including scaling the summit of Grand Marges (1571m), the cute forests and rugged ridges of the Aiguines area, and the famous Martel White trail, which goes right through the heart of the gorge amongst the majestic walls and limestone cliffs which line it, leading on to a desert plain which proves equally as captivating.

The final day is spent traipsing and travailing around the Imbut and Martel trails, which wind along the mesmerizing water and torrents of the gorge, providing an idyllic backdrop for the 10km or so we will be running.

We then finish the activity on the afternoon of the 4th day, hopefully having increased your fitness, improved your trail running technique and having given you memories to last a lifetime!

Trail running through the Verdon Gorge is a once in a lifetime experience – book now so as not to miss out!

I also offer a 4-day trail running training trip in Saint Gervais, here!

Alternatively, I offer trail running training in Annecy, here!

Price includes

Accommodation included
Guiding fee
Breakfast
Dinner
Transport during the trip
Snacks

Price details

Price is per person.
Price does not include: individual insurance, food supplements, personal expenses, drinks during meals, individual transfers.
For private groups contact the guide

Itinerary

Day 1: Meet

RV in Grenoble in the morning for transport by minibus, or directly to La Pallud sur Verdon in the early afternoon, briefing on the weekend, installation at the hotel, warm-up on the Bastidon trail, approx. 15km and 900m D+, and a drink on the terrace, enjoying exceptional light that bathes the Gorges du Verdon.

Day 2: Trail Run

A wild and relatively technical route that takes us on a balcony above the Gorges du Verdon, reaching the summit of Grand Margès (1571m), the Verdon's highest peak, overlooking Lac de Sainte Croix and the Alps, the Ventoux, and Sainte Victoire. We'll make our way through forests and ridges before returning to the village of Aiguines and its Provencal atmosphere. 25km, 1500m D+.

Day 3: Trail Run

This long day begins with the historic Blanc Martel trail, a beautiful route through the heart of the gorge. From the very first steps, we'll be the walls sculpted by the torrent, and we're likely to catch a glimpse of the vultures and the chance to spot vultures soaring overhead! The second part of the day is spent on the plateaus, in a more desert-like but just as exotic. 30km, 1700m D+.

Day 4: Finish

A final morning in one of the Verdon's most famous and technical Verdon, the Sentier de l'Imbut and the Sentier Martel (a narrow path in the rock close to the torrent). Then we'll be moving along a specially prepared trail, sometimes equipped with ropes and ladders. 10km, 680m D+.

Details

More info

A minimum number of participants (defined in advance) is required for the departure to take place. If the number of participants is insufficient and the departure is cancelled, clients will be informed via a phone call at least a week prior to the scheduled departure date and will receive a complete refund.

Clients are required to have multi-risk insurance, covering cancellation fees, rescue and accident, repatriation and baggage loss or theft.

There is little access to drinking water during the course. Travel times may be long between the water points. It is therefore necessary to provide at least 1.5 to 2 L (water bag, water bottles or bottles). The indicated times are given as an indication. They can vary depending on the nature of the terrain on the day (dry ground vs. rain, snow) and the level of the group. Some hazards can also impact travel times. The terrain is varied and technical. Alternating forest tracks, singles in ridges, pastures, scree and rocks. The Verdon area is quite often composed of stony path.

Meeting point

Grenoble or La Palud-sur-Verdon

Equipment you will need to bring

Equipment: What to bring for the day : - A light rucksack including - A waterproof jacket - A warm long-sleeved fleece top - Survival blanket and whistle - An individual first-aid kit - Cap or headband - Hat and thin gloves - Sunglasses suitable for running - Long tights if running shorts - Cereal bars and energy drink - Plastic bag for garbage - Biodegradable toilet paper - Headlamp - Minimum 1.5l water supply - Elastic strapping - A small amount of cash What to bring : - Running shorts - Short-sleeved t-shirt - A pair of running socks - Previously worn trail shoes For the whole stay : - Spare clothing for 3 days - Personal toiletries - Spare shoes - Spare water bottle - Earplugs or ear plugs - Floor mat (not compulsory) - Heart rate monitor (not mandatory) - Swimsuit Individual pharmacy: - Anti-chafing cream - Sun cream - Double-skin bandages - Elastic bandage - Paracetamol - Anti-diarrheal - Antiseptic - Personal medication Recommended additional equipment : - A pair of walking sticks - Camera

About the guide

-Caroline

4.9

(11)

Mountain Leader

I hold the State Certificate of Mountain Leader (UIMLA), Athlete of Team Garmin Adventure. I won many trail competitions such as Oxygen Challenge, The Glaciers Tour of Vanoise, Albertville Trail, Drayes Blanches of Vercors, the Frison Roche Beaufort, Run and skate of Chamonix… I have also some racing podiums such as the Saintélyon, the Lyon Urban Trail, the Causses Marathon, the Allobroges. I am an ex-sportswoman of high level in rowing (World Championships, World Cups, France Championships). I have a mastery STAPS (Sport) and BEES First degree in rowing. I organise and supervise many trail courses in the Alps with a pro team, a friends group with whom we have a mission: Run and enjoy! I invite you to contact me if you want to train and/or discover these incredible massifs.

Languages

French | English

Certificates

UIMLA

Request more information

What people are saying about -Caroline

Andrew

J'ai eu l'opportunité de participer à deux stages, l'un dans le Cantal, l'autre à Chamonix. Un grand plaisir de partager une passion commune avec des participants très sympas de tous niveaux et de tous horizons. Caroline, une grande professionnelle de la montagne et du trail, n'a pas son pareil pour organiser ces rencontres, et tout cela dans une super ambiance et des paysages à couper le souffle.

J'ai fait deux stages avec Caro, c'est devenu une amie, et chacun de ces stages m'a laissé des souvenirs inoubliables. Le premier stage en 2014 en Haute Savoie à l'occasion du Trail du Gypaète. Le Deuxième stage en 2015, dans les Calanques de Marseille. Ces stages auront été parfaits à tous les niveaux: Paysages grandioses (on sent qu'ils ont été choisis avec soin), des échanges techniques avec des "pros" (un grand moment quand Caro inspecte les sacs à dos...), pleins de conseils nutrition - mode de vie etc... La découverte des autres stagiaires mais aussi des autres encadrants (très bon contact avec Guillaume Lenormand par ex.). Des conditions matérielles top (hébergement, repas, organisation etc...). Seule critique: le temps passe trop vite, c'est toujours trop court! Donc au final quand c'est fini, on n'a qu'une envie... c'est de repartir pour un autre stage! Et vu le nombre de personnes que l'on croise sur les stages qui en sont à leur n-ième participation, je peux affirmer que ce sentiment est partagé!

Pour moi le trail c'est avant tout la découverte de nouveaux territoires, les rencontres et les échanges avec d'autres passionnés, le respect de la nature. Mes 3 stages avec Caroline m'ont permis de retrouver ces fondamentaux dans un cadre toujours bon enfant, mais pas moins professionnel. Caroline est une passionnée de montagne et de tout ce qui y touche (sport, culture, gastronomie) et elle sait comme personne transmettre sa passion et ses bons conseils, toujours avec le sourire. Je garde un excellent souvenir des rencontres avec les autres stagiaires et mais aussi avec les autres encadrants, Guillaume, Seb, Cédric, Lydie et tant d'autres rencontrés au cours de ces stages.

Andrew