Alpes de Haute Provence: Verdon & Villages

Arrival

We include a transfer from Nice airport to the start of your trip in Gréoux-les-Bains. This transfer will leave at a specific time, normally around 1430 hrs. The airport is just 13 minutes drive from the centre of Nice, and the journey time will be around 2h15.

If you would like to arrive earlier and make your own way to Gréoux-les-Bains - here is some information:

Trains Consult Interrail for thier global pass which offers some great deals across Europe.

Flights Marseille is the closest airport for your arrival to Gréoux-les-Bains. We recommend using the online public transport scanner to search for your preferred method of transport www.rome2rio.com 

Bus There are several each day from Marseilles to Gréoux-les-Bains. Follow this link for bus times - journey time around 1h40. Click here for general information on travelling by public transport in Europe. On some services tickets are only valid for 30 days.

Other travel details to Gréoux-les-Bains can be found here on the local website.

Departure

We include a transfer from your hotel in Castellane to Nice airport.

It is your responsibility to ensure any insurance taken out is appropriate for your trip and the activity you will be undertaking. Tracks & Trails cannot advise on insurance policies or be held responsible if, in the event of a claim, your insurance is inadequate. 

Activity, Injury and Mountain Rescue It is a condition of booking you are insured for mountain rescue, medical expenses, injury, illness, death, cost of repatriation and personal accident risks. The exception to the mountain rescue insurance requirement is if the trip is taking place in the United Kingdom or Norway where mountain rescue is free of charge. Ensure your insurance covers you to the maximum altitude given on your trip itinerary. The maximum altitude can be checked in the 'At A Glance' box on the trip page. 

Trip Cancellation/Curtailment Insurance Insurance should be booked as soon as we confirm your trip is going ahead. Deposit and balance payments are non-refundable unless it is Tracks and Trails who cancel the trip due to a failure to reach the minimum numbers required. In this case we offer a full refund or the option to transfer to another trip.

Baggage Loss/Equipment Damage We advise insurance which covers baggage loss/equipment damage.

All the above is detailed in our Terms and Conditions. For further information on insurance options click here.

When packing for a trip in the mountains it is important to have appropriate equipment and clothing. This kit list features items we believe are necessary for the weather you might encounter and accommodation you will be staying in. 

Equipment 

• Walking boots - waterproof and comfortable. We have no objection to ‘low cut walking shoes’ provided you are used to walking in them on rough terrain 

• Walking Poles – optional, but highly recommended

• Rucksack – 20-25 litres, ideally with a chest & waist strap 

• Rucksack liner/cover - to keep contents dry 

• Water container - bottle or hydration system 

• Gaiters - useful, but not essential

• Emergency foil blanket

Clothing

• Waterproof Jacket - essential

• Waterproof Trousers - essential. We reserve the right to ask you to purchase waterproof trousers if we deem them necessary, or to ask you to miss a day of the trip if you are not properly equipped for the weather

• Trousers - comfortable walking trousers that allow free movement

• Shorts/skort

• Sun hat 

• Warm hat 

• Gloves 

• Base layer - such as t-shirt/thermal tops 

• Fleece jacket/top 

• Socks - technical walking socks

• Duvet jacket/warm second layer

• Thermal leggings - optional, and only needed if a cold day

Comfort

• Sunscreen - this is essential and a total ‘bloc’ is useful

• Lip salve 

• Sunglasses – essential as the sun can be extremely strong in the mountains

• Toilet/tissues - plus a few biodegradable bags to dispose of rubbish

• Anti-bacterial hand wash

• Swimwear for the pool/hot tub and sandals

Personal First Aid

• Personal medication 

• Blister plasters 

• Painkillers/Anti-inflammatories

• Glucose tablets/Energy gel

• 2 x Re-hydration sachets - eg Dioralyte

• Throat lozenges

• Antiseptic cream/spray

• Insect repellant - Tuscany does have a few ‘bugs’ 

Documentation

• Mountain Rescue Insurance - compulsory

• Travel Insurance 

• Passport

• Credit card

• Cash - Euros

• GHIC - if travelling from UK for medical cover

Additional Items

• Slippers for use at accommodation

• Clothing for use at accommodation

• Camera/ Book/Music

• Toiletries - soap/shower gel

• Lightweight pack towel

• Ear plugs - if room sharing

• Small thermos for hot drinks

• Head torch - plus spare batteries, useful if room sharing

• Umbrella - useful for shade on hot days 

• 1x Medium size kit bag/holdall/suitcase

• Padlock - for your luggage being transferred

Your luggage will be moved each day by a taxi driver. Please restrict yourself to one bag of approximately 15kg (33lbs) per person. Not all hotels have 'lifts' and you should be able to carry your luggage upstairs. There may be a charge imposed but the taxi company if you have more than 1 bag, and we would please ask you to cover this. 

**Supplementary snacks if you follow a gluten free or coeliac diet**

Leaders are all first aid trained and carry their own first aid kit 

If you would like to extend this holiday we can recommend you arrive a day by early to the beautiful village of Gréoux-les-Bains to allow time for shopping or poolside action. Enjoy the quaint streets with their pavement cafes and watch the world go by, or explore the boutique shops featuring local products and produce. 

If you are travelling from and to Nice we highly recommend a night in this famous city on the French Riviera. The natural beauty of the Nice area and its mild Mediterranean climate came to the attention of the English upper classes in the second half of the 18th century, when an increasing number of aristocratic families took to spending their winters there. In 1931, following its refurbishment the city's main seaside promenade, the Promenade des Anglais , "Walkway of the English" was inaugurated. The clear air and the wonderful 'light' inspired painters such as Marc Chagall, and Henri Matisse, among others. Well worth a visit!

Our meeting point for this trip is the beautiful coastal town of Nice, on the French Riviera, widely considered one of the best places to visit in Southern France, especially if you like beaches, an old-town atmosphere, food, and art. The famous Promenade des Anglais is a famous waterfront walk with is great for walking, cycling and sunsets. The city also has a strong art and museum culture including the Musée Matisse and the Musée National Marc Chagall. It is also a great base for exploring the Riviera because it has trains to Cannes and Monaco.

On many trips there will be an element of 'group kit'. This kit will will be minimal and usually a case of sharing a few lightweight 'survival shelters'. For example, on a week-long trip you may carry a shelter for one day before passing it to the next person. If you are booking a trip in winter there will be a few additional safety items, such as a snow shovel, probe, spare ski pole etc.

For each trip a minimum number of guests is required before we can confirm your trip will go-ahead. Minimum and maximum numbers are displayed in 'At a Glance' on the righthand of the trip page. If you book travel before we have emailed to confirm the trip is guaranteed we cannot be held responsible for any financial loss.

When booking a holiday as a solo traveller a twin bedded room comprising of two single beds, is booked as standard. This will be with someone of the same gender unless you request to pay extra for your own room. Single rooms are often limited in supply so if you would like to pay a supplement for a single room we urge you to get in touch as soon as possible. This trip has a single supplement of £500 in 2026 and £530 in 2027.

Tracks and Trails go to great lengths to work with first class guides who are passionate about their work. They are fully qualified, insured, and hold the correct documentation. Your guide has our authority to make any route changes they believe are necessary in the interests of safety and enjoyment. Your hiking guide will be a qualified International Mountain Leader. IML's are not only qualified to ensure the safe management of the group, but are also a source of knowledge about the local flora and fauna, culture and traditions. You can learn more about our guides on the About Us page.

Suitable for those of you who consider yourself ‘hill-walkers’, these trips involve longer days at an altitude of up to 2800m (9184ft) on good paths and tracks. A good level of fitness is required as these treks can involve considerable amounts of ascent and descent and the occasional difficult day on rougher paths. There may be an occasional day with ascents/descents of up to 1350m (4428ft). We would expect you to have previous experience of walking on consecutive days in the mountains, and have experience of hiking in bad weather. Expect to walk 5-7 hours per day. 

NB: We have graded this trip 'Difficult' because the days are lengthy, but we would say this is at the lower end of the scale and nearer 'Moderate' in terms of terrain and fitness required. We would not consider it essential that you had previous mountain walking experience if your mental attitude and level of fitness is good!

On this point-to-point trip you will have luggage support which means your bags are transferred each day to the next accommodation and you only need to carry a small/medium sized 'rucksack' for items you might need during the course of the day. Please refer to the kit list for this trip for guidance on the size of rucksack required.

As your luggage will be moved along the route by taxi we ask that you keep the weight to a maximum of 15kgs (33lbs), and ONE bag per person. Many of the taxi companies who move your bags impose a 15kg (33lbs) limit and restrict the number of bags simply because they have to unload and reload the vehicle many times each day. If you take more than one bag you may be asked to pay a supplement. Also with regard to weight be aware that you may have to carry your luggage to your bedroom, which may involve climbing several flights of stairs as not all hotels have elevators. Luggage on wheels is generally a good idea.

The statistics given on your itinerary relating to ascent, descent and distance should be used as a 'general' indication of the effort required. This is a guideline to help you decide if, based on previous experience, your fitness and stamina are correct for the trip. We ask you to note that the even the most modern of technology can show considerable variations in terms of ascent, descent, and in particular distance.

Your leader will carry the correct maps and you are not expected to navigate, but if you would like to have maps of the itinerary you could consider those listed below:

IGN 3541 OT: Annot 1:25,000

IGN 3542 OT: Castellane 1:25,000

IGN 3442 OT: Verdon 1:25,000

IGN 3343 OT: Gréoux-les-Bains 1:25,000

In mountainous terrain the weather can vary considerably and you should be prepared for all weather conditions. Temperatures in Haute Provence, France, range from highs of 17°-21°C (63°-71°F) in April, and May, to lows of 5-9°C (41°-48°F) . In September and August the daily temperature ranges from an average 24-29°C (76°-84°F), to 11-15°C (53°-59°F). It is often sunny with good clear days and can be very warm where hydration will become important, but it can rain or snow and the temperatures can drop dramatically. It is not unusual for thunder storms to occur at the end of the afternoon and waterproof clothing should be carried at all times. 

Food On our trips we encourage you to experience local tastes and dishes. If you are vegetarian catering for your diet is not generally a problem.  If you have a 'special' diet because of an allergy/intolerance we ask that you make your needs clear on your booking form so we can discuss your requirements with the accommodation. A diet that is not related to an allergy/intolerance or beliefs cannot be catered for. It is simply not possible for mountain accommodation to deal with many variations in diet while providing meals for groups. 

In addition, if you have an allergy/intolerance we would suggest you bring/purchase suitable snacks as a supplement to the picnic lunches. At times finding gluten free bread, for example, can be an issue.  If you would like to discuss the suitability of a trip for a vegan diet, gluten or lactose intolerance please contact us. We request that you do not CHANGE your dietary requirements during the trip as we will have pre-ordered your meals.

Water If the accommodation has a problem with the water supply they will post a sign over the tap indicating that you must not drink the water, otherwise it is normal to drink from the tap. Hotels - It is not uncommon for restaurants to charge for tap water at the evening meal. If this is the case then Tracks and Trails will cover the cost. Mountain Huts - If your trip features a stay in a mountain hut/refuge and the tap water is not potable then Tracks and Trails will cover the cost of bottled water at the evening meal. Sparkling water is not included in this option and any cost should be covered by you.

Plastic credit or debit cards or smartphone pay systems are increasingly accepted throughout the areas where we run trips. Some countries, such as Norway, are moving towards a cashless society. However, in Europe, in the mountain areas where we run trips, a small amount of cash in the local currency is useful. For example, if you stop at a family-run mountain cafe or farm they may not accept cards or smartphone systems, and cash will be necessary. We recommend having enough cash in the local currency to pay for a few snacks and drinks. Whether to bring cash or not is at your own discretion.

A passport with 6 months remaining validity at the end of your stay is generally required. We suggest keeping your passport in your rucksack, and a paper copy of your passport in your luggage. If your trip does not include luggage support carry a paper copy with you, but separate from your passport. You should check passport requirements with the relevant embassy or consulate for the country you are visiting, paying attention to your citizenship. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct travel documents and visas for your holiday. Visa requirements and charges are subject to change without notice.  

NEW European Travel Regulations 2026 If you are travelling to Europe you may be impacted by a change to travel regulations. In the last quarter of 2026, the European Commission will roll out a U.S. style electronic travel authorisation system for visitors from countries that are currently not part of the EU. It is your responsibility to check for updates with regard to the introduction date.

We recommend you check if you require an adaptor for your electrical items at: Plug, Socket & Voltage by Country

If your trip involves staying in a mountain refuge/rifugio/hut a slimline and lightweight 'battery pack' can be useful for recharging phones etc. This type of accommodation will generally have electricity, but it may be limited in supply, and it is not always possible to charge items.

If you would like help preparing for your adventure you could consider booking a Quick Fix session with personal trainer Kate Brown. This is aimed at those who want to get ready for any of our Summer activities. Your booking with Kate will involve a 45 minute 1:1 video consultation and action plan. You can read more about her ethos and experience here. We also offer free training videos on our YouTube channel - the following are aimed at those who hike in summer, and continue to do so in winter on snowshoes:

Get Fit for Hiking and Snowshoeing 1

Get fit for Hiking and Snowshoeing 2

Tracks and Trails pays guides/instructors a fair and appropriate fee for their professional service. If you feel your guide/instructor has provided an excellent service that went 'above and beyond' then it is at the discretion of each guest whether to tip or not.  Guests will often give a tip of between 2 - 5 per cent of the total value of their trip. It is entirely up to you and any gesture will no doubt be appreciated no matter the size. 

Before booking consider whether you expect to be in the appropriate physical condition on the date of your departure to allow you to fully participate in and enjoy your holiday. If you have any doubts because of an illness or injury it would be advisable to check with your doctor. We advise you always carry your insurance documents with details of the Emergency Medical telephone number for your insurance provider, and your policy number. 

GHIC For UK residents travelling to an EU country you should obtain and bring your Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). The GHIC gives access to state healthcare in Europe either free or at a reduced cost. The GHIC is not a substitute for medical travel insurance.

EHIC If you have a UK European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) it will be valid until the expiry date on the card. Once it expires, you should apply for a GHIC.

We feel strongly about protecting the environment and do not encourage the use of single-use plastic items. We would ask that you arrive with a ‘water bottle’ or ‘hydration system’ that can be used repeatedly. We operate a zero tolerance for rubbish, and would ask you to remove all items from the mountain, this includes toilet tissue, and those items you consider to be bio-degradable.

The waste water in mountain huts, also known as refuges/rifugios, often runs into nearby streams and rivers with a potential impact on the eco-system, though in many places steps are now being taken to avoid this. Whether or not your trip involves staying in a mountain hut we would nevertheless recommend you consider nature friendly sunscreens which only contain mineral UV-blocking ingredients such as oxide, and titanium dioxide.

You can read our Sustainable Travel Policy here.

Working across international boundaries, and with various currencies means the price of our trips can change overnight. We have undertaken to guarantee that once you have paid your deposit the price of your trip is fixed. The website price may increase due to currency fluctuations, but we guarantee that the price advertised on the date of your booking will be maintained. 

We are often asked about swimming options, and have to point out that swimming is not permitted either in the main Verdon Gorge, or in the Lower Verdon Gorges. The river is part of a hydro electric scheme and water is released without warning causing the water level to rise rapidly. If you do find an opportunity to swim in nearby lakes or rivers at official sites we ask that you consider the impact which sunscreen products have on the environment and remove any excess sunscreen before going into the water. You could consider nature friendly sunscreen which only contain mineral UV-blocking ingredients such as oxide, and titanium dioxide. Any swimming is undertaken at your own risk. We carry no responsibility for any decision by you to enter the water. 

We do not include lunches in your trip fee for various reasons, the most important of which is food waste. Most people have particular tastes and requirements for 'trail' or 'hill' food and it is better you purchase your own snacks rather than throw away items from the picnic lunch which we would supply. Lunches on our trips are 'picnic' style lunches, in other words you take a packed lunch with sufficient snacks, food and fluid to sustain you throughout the day. Buying snacks and trying local specialities is a great way to inter-act with local people and to practise your language skills.

If there is the possibility of lunch being taken at a restaurant/farm/cafe beside the trail, your guide/instructor will advise you of this. Each evening you can order a picnic/sandwich from your accommodation, or your guide/instructor will advise you of options such as a local shop or market. In all cases we would ask you to settle any 'bill' for lunch or drinks the evening before you depart, and not in the morning when there may be a queue.