A wild region, country of breeding, where pastures overlook the majestuous “Verdon gorges”. Riding through typical small villages, you will admire the landscapes and panomramas slowly unwinding before your eyes. Sometimes, a nice bridle road, for the excitement of a canter in beautiful forests. Sometimes, small paths, once used by muleteer, following the side of high mountains. The High Verdon is a land of contrast that you will discover at the pace of the horses. On the way you will meet herds of sheeps or goats, and in the evening, you will have the pleasure of tasting the different goat cheeses at the dinner table. The big open spaces of the High Verdon will take your breath away.
Day 1 : Meeting point at Mas de Recaute in Lauris, or at Manosque train station. Then, transfer to Moustiers-Sainte-Marie.
Day 2 : Moustiers - Les Subies. We leave Moustiers riding on a beautiful path, offering splendid sights of the village and of the « Sainte Croix » lake, and unto the plateau : the coutry of famous Scipion, the old shepherd author of the novels « Le Clos du Roy » and « Le Berger des Abeilles ». In the afternoon, we will cross the Mont Denier and will then make our way down to Les Subies, where we will spend the night.
Day 3 : Les Subies – Les Blaches. Through beautiful forest roads, going from woods to pastures. After lunch break, a small path will take us to the O.N.F. ( National forests office ) refuge of Blaches. Dinner will be made by our assistant, night in a splendid surrounding.
Day 4 : Les Blaches – Blieux. We will ride on beautiful forest roads, alongside the bottom of the Melle stream, and unto Blieux, a lovely little mountain village at the foot of Mourre de Chanier. Dinner and night in the communal Inn in a nice and picturesque surrounding.
Day 5 : Blieux – Castellane. We will follow the river, riding on small underwood paths to catch up with the Napoleon Road and make our way to Castellane. Night in an hotel.
Day 6 : Castellane – La Palud sur Verdon. A path overhanging the gorges and overlooked by the majestuous « Cadières de Brandis » will lead us to the pic-nic. Through the Plateau of Suech and the village of Rougon above the canyon of the Verdon, before going down towards La Palud sur Verdon. Night in an hotel.
Day 7 : La Palud – Moustiers. We will cross the Col of La Croix. Nice dust roads will take us to La Clue for a nice lunch by the river. Riding across a plateau at the foot of Mont Denier, we will arrive above Moustiers-Sainte-Marie. An amazing sight of the Sainte Croix lake, the Valensole Plateau and the Canjuers plateau will unravel before us. The whole of Provence gathered there for us. We will go down to the Inn by the roman road.
Day 8 : End of the trail ride after breakfast.