Canyoning in the Verdon: Everything You Need to Know About This Activity
How about a day of adventure in the waters of the Verdon Gorges? Canyoning turns exploring the Verdon into a fun, athletic experience. Jumps, swimming, river walking, and rock-climbing sections follow one after another in a wild setting. From L’Oasis du Verdon, our campground near the Verdon Gorges, several easily accessible canyons let you enjoy a full day of canyoning. Plan your outing!
Canyoning in the Verdon: Spots and Tour Operators
| Last Name | Key Details | |
|---|---|---|
| Spot | Le Riou | For athletes (16+). 50-meter vertical rappel. |
| Spot | Val d’Angouire | Active (16+). Fun, 4.5-hour descent. |
| Spot | Whale | Easy (8+). Family-friendly introduction, optional obstacles. |
| Spot | Wakabonga | Easy (6+). Very watery, with 8-meter drops. |
| Service Provider | Vertigo Verdon | In Aups. Safety and personalized support. |
| Service Provider | Explore Adventure | In Comps. Equipment provided; recreational and sports activities. |
Hiking Trails in the Verdon Gorges
Reach some of the most beautiful canyoning spots in less than an hour. Each canyon offers a unique atmosphere and a different level of technical difficulty. From narrow gorges to more open valleys, the Verdon’s terrain features a variety of routes that invite you to embark on an adventure.
The Riou Canyon
The Riou de Moustiers Canyon opens onto a magnificent fissure carved into the plateau. This first section, which is relatively short but particularly scenic, features a few short rappels that are ideal for getting familiar with canyoning techniques. It concludes with a vertical rappel of about 50 meters.
Further down, the canyon widens slightly before leading to a second major 45-meter descent. The route then ends with a final, more narrow section, punctuated by two short rappels that add a fun finishing touch to the journey.
The trailhead is located right on the outskirts of the village of Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, about a ten-minute walk from the parking lot.
Additional Information
Directions: Cascade du Riou, 04360 Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, France, 34 km from our campground—an average 38-minute drive via the D957.
Difficulty: challenging
Time period: April–May
Minimum age: 16
Duration of the activity: 4 hours
The Val d’Angouire Valley
Located in the town of Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department, this canyon is about an hour from Castellane, at the exit of the Verdon Gorge, and nearly 1 hour and 30 minutes from Aix-en-Provence.
This canyoning route, which is designed to be fun, is accessible even to beginners who have never tried the activity before. However, because of the length of the outing and the lack of an alternative route, participants must be able to complete the entire canyon. Good physical condition is therefore recommended. As you descend, the rappels come one after another, reaching up to about 25 meters, allowing you to gently experience the canyon’s vertical depth.
Additional Information
Directions: Val d’Angouire, 04360 Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, France, 53 km from our campground.
Difficulty: challenging
Season: spring
Minimum age: 16
Duration of the activity: 4 hours and 30 minutes
The Balène Canyon
This short, accessible trail is a great way to get started on a family outing. Along the way, small natural slides and easy jumps add excitement to the adventure.
It’s also an ideal setting for a gentle introduction to your first abseiling descents. Canyoning in the Verdon at the Balène Canyon promises a fun and refreshing experience. The obstacles are always optional, allowing those who prefer to take it slow to progress at their own pace and fully enjoy the experience.
Practical Information
Directions: Ravin de Balène, 04410 Saint-Jurs, France, 47 km from our campground—an average 54-minute drive via the D957.
Difficulty: easy
Season: spring
Minimum age: 8 years old
Duration of the activity: 1 hour and 30 minutes
The Wakabonga Trail on the Artuby River
The Wakabonga Canyon, located near Comps-sur-Artuby, is one of the most popular water trails in the Verdon Gorges. This fun and accessible canyon is an excellent choice for a first canyoning experience, whether with family or friends.
The course features a series of varied obstacles that make the experience dynamic and entertaining. Participants can enjoy jumps of up to 8 meters, natural slides carved out by the water, a short guided rappel, and a swimming section through a narrow channel of clear water.
Practical Information
Directions: Wakabonga Canyon, 83840 Comps-sur-Artuby, France, 54 km from our campground.
Difficulty: easy
Period: May through September
Minimum age: 6 years old
Duration of the activity: 3 hours
Canyoning Operators in the Verdon
Entrusting your safety to experts is essential to fully enjoy canyoning in the Verdon. There are several high-quality operators located near our campground.
Vertigo Verdon
This company specializes in outdoor sports activities in the Verdon Gorge. Its team of certified professionals offers guided experiences in canyoning, rock climbing, via ferrata, and adventure courses, suitable for both beginners and experienced athletes. The activities are designed for families, groups, or friends, offering both thrills and the chance to explore nature. Based in Aups, Vertigo Verdon guarantees safety, personalized guidance, and immersion in the natural setting of the Verdon, ensuring unforgettable memories in a completely stress-free environment.
Practical Information
Address: 8 Pl. Général Girard, 83630 Aups, France, 650 m from our campground.
Phone: +33(0)6 38 59 53 40.
Hours of operation: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., and 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Official website: vertigoverdon.com
Explore Adventure
This outdoor activity provider specializes in canyoning and water hiking in the heart of the Verdon Gorges, the Haut-Var, and the Alpes-Maritimes. The team of state-certified guides leads beginners and adventurers on fun or challenging excursions, providing compliant equipment and promoting environmental awareness. Based in Comps-sur-Artuby, the company offers experiences to enjoy with family or friends amid spectacular natural landscapes.
Canyoning in the Verdon offers unforgettable thrills. Jumping into crystal-clear pools gives you a rush of positive adrenaline. Abseiling under waterfalls cools you off on even the hottest days. This all-around sport works all your muscles in an enchanting setting. Come experience an exhilarating adventure with your loved ones. Provence’s natural landscape has its most beautiful aquatic treasures in store for you! Book your stay at our campground!
Practical Information
Address: Chem. de Deroc, 83840 Comps-sur-Artuby, France, 54 km from our campground.
Official website: gorgesduverdon-canyoning.com
Hours: Open daily from May through September, 9 a.m.–12 p.m. and 2 p.m.–7 p.m.
Phone: 06 33 40 88 58.
