Crédit photo: Laure Roux
Mis à jour le 02/06/2020
Since the end of September 2018, it is possible to make the tour of the Lake of Sainte-Croix in a pedestrian itinerary, between 5 and 6 days for a distance of 74 kilometers. The various villages around the lake of Sainte-Croix act as " stopover villages ". A real journey along the water and time to meet the villages that have seen their histories turned upside down during the creation of the dam (and therefore the lake of Sainte-Croix) in the 70s.
An astonishing panorama and beautiful villages
Moustiers-Sainte-Marie / Sainte-Croix du Verdon by Valensole’s Plateau
From the Provencal village of Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, take the direction of the chemin de Quinson and cross the Maïre river. Follow the GR4 marker. After a steep climb, you will arrive on Valensole Plateau and its lavender fields (in bloom between mid-June and mid-July). The second part of the hike is on the Plateau before going back down by the Muletiers' path and joining the village of Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon. This first stage takes 5h30 for 19 kilometers with a difference in altitude of 425 meters.
Sainte-Croix du Verdon / Baudinard
The second stage is 15 kilometers long for 4h30 of walking with a difference in altitude of 580 meters. Start from the village of Sainte-Croix du Verdon to reach Baudinard. You will follow the banks of the Sainte-Croix lake by the creek of Repentance to join the Cadenon lake. You will cross the Verdon by the Sylvestre Bridge and you will join the village of Baudinard sur Verdon.
Baudinard sur Verdon / Bauduen
For 12 kilometers of walking, this third stage is quite short: 4 hours of walking with beautiful perspectives on the Lake of Sainte-Croix. Cross the site of Sulagran, property of the Conservatoire du littoral before finishing the stage by going along the lake of Sainte-Croix by the creek of Bauduen.
Bauduen – Les Salles-sur-Verdon
In about 3h30 of walking, you will reach the village of Les Salles sur Verdon. Start by climbing the hill of Veris before joining the Garuby trail. Finish by going along the Sainte-Croix lake to reach the village. This stage is 12 kilometers long.
Les Salles sur Verdon / Aiguines
The shortest stage of the tour of the Sainte-Croix lake in about 1h30 of walking for 4 kilometers with a positive difference in altitude of 293 meters. You just have to follow " Aiguines " on the yellow markings.
Aiguines / Moustiers-Sainte-Marie to finish the tour of Sainte-Croix lake
For 12 kilometers, reach the Galetas bridge, marking the junction between the lake and the Verdon Gorges. Come back to Moustiers-Sainte-Marie by going up the Maïre valley. You will pass in front of Le Moulin Campsite and the Domaine du Petit Lac. This last stage lasts about 4 hours.
