Packraft the Verdon Gorge, France — Self-Launched

Catch the early morning train from Nice-Ville station to Grasse (around £12), then connect via the LER bus 501/502 or a shared taxi/rideshare to Castellane (~£15–20, book ahead via BlaBlaCar or local taxi). Alternatively, rent a car from Nice for the group — splitting a small rental between 3–4 travellers makes it very affordable. Arrive in Castellane by early afternoon. Check in to your campsite (Camping Les Lavandes is the go-to — excellent facilities, hot showers, right by the village centre). Head to the river for an orientation paddle. Several local outfitters in Castellane rent packrafts and provide basic safety briefings — try Aboard Rafting or Aqua Verdon. Book a half-day beginner packrafting session (~£45–55pp including gear hire) to learn the essentials. In the evening, grab dinner at one of Castellane's bistros — try Le Glacier or a pizza terrace on the main square.

🚌Train Nice-Ville to Grasse (~£12), then LER bus or BlaBlaCar rideshare to Castellane (~£15–20). Alternatively split a car rental from Nice (~£30–40pp/day for a group).

🛏Camping Les Lavandes, Castellane — pitch or eco-lodge cabin (~£15–22pp). Book direct at camping-les-lavandes.com

• →Bus/rideshare transfer from Nice to Castellane (~£15–20pp)
• →Check in to Camping Les Lavandes, Castellane
• →Half-day introductory packrafting session on the Verdon River — book via Aboard Rafting or Aqua Verdon (~£45–55pp including all gear)
• →Dinner at a local bistro in Castellane village

After a campsite breakfast (pick up croissants and coffee from the village boulangerie the night before — budget ~£4), lace up your boots for the ridge hike above Lake Castillon. The trailhead is accessible on foot or by short taxi from Castellane. Follow the GR4 or local waymarked trails above the lake — about 3 hours of hiking with superb views. Pack a picnic lunch from the Castellane supermarket (Spar or U Express, ~£6). Descend to the lakeshore in the afternoon and inflate your packraft (included in your gear hire from Day 1 — confirm multi-day hire rate when booking, typically ~£35–45/day after the first). Paddle across Lake Castillon (~90 mins). Arrange in advance with a local taxi or the gear hire company to collect you from the far bank and return you to Castellane (~£15–20 split between the group). Evening free to explore Castellane — grab sundowners at a bar on Place Marcel Sauvaire.

🚌Short taxi or walk to trailhead from Castellane. Taxi from far lakeshore back to Castellane (~£15–20 split). Arrange in advance.

🛏Camping Les Lavandes, Castellane (~£15–22pp)

• →Boulangerie breakfast in Castellane (~£4)
• →Half-day ridge hike above Lake Castillon on GR4 trail (free — self-navigated with Maps.me or Komoot)
• →Picnic lunch on the ridge (~£6 from local supermarket)
• →Packraft crossing of Lake Castillon (~90 mins, gear from multi-day hire)
• →Taxi return to Castellane (~£15–20 split)
• →Sundowners in Castellane village

Morning free to explore Castellane at your own pace. Don't miss the Roc Chapel climb — a steep but short trail rising 200m above the village with panoramic gorge views (free, ~45 mins return). Stock up on supplies at the supermarket for the days ahead — the Chalet de la Maline has limited resupply options. In the afternoon, drive or taxi (~£10–15pp) to the put-in point above the gorge entrance near Castellane. Launch your packraft and spend around 3 hours paddling the first 12 miles of the gorge, navigating Grade 2/3 rapids beneath towering limestone cliffs. Follow the river downstream to the Chalet de la Maline, a well-known mountain refuge/gîte inside the canyon. Book your bed in advance — dorm beds available from around £30–40pp, or private rooms from ~£55pp. Dinner is available at the chalet (~£18–22 for a set meal).

🚌Taxi or self-drive to put-in point near Castellane gorge entrance (~£10–15pp). Paddle to Chalet de la Maline — no road access, river is the route.

🛏Chalet de la Maline (mountain refuge/gîte inside the Verdon Gorge) — dorm ~£30–40pp, private room ~£55pp. Book well in advance, especially in summer.

• →Morning walk up to the Roc Chapel above Castellane (free)
• →Supermarket resupply for gorge days (~£15–20 for snacks and lunches)
• →Afternoon packraft of first 12 miles of the Verdon Gorge (Grade 2/3 rapids)
• →Overnight at Chalet de la Maline — book direct at chalet-maline.fr
• →Set dinner at the chalet (~£18–22)

An early start today — it's a big day in the gorge. Breakfast at the chalet (~£8–10). Hike a few miles along the canyon floor following the Sentier Martel (GR4), passing through three tunnels carved into the cliff face — one of France's most dramatic walking trails (free, marked route). After about 45 minutes, take the small trail down to the river and inflate your packraft. You're now deep in the most remote and spectacular section of the gorge. Paddle a 7-mile descent through exhilarating Grade 2/3 rapids, pulling into a deserted riverbank beach for a packed lunch. Take your time — the cliff scenery is extraordinary, some walls reaching 700m. After the final rapids, pack up and hike steeply back up to the chalet (~1 hour, ~400m elevation). Shower, rest and enjoy another evening at the Chalet de la Maline. Self-cater dinner from your supplies or order at the chalet.

🚌All on foot and by packraft within the gorge. No road access to this section.

🛏Chalet de la Maline (second night) — dorm ~£30–40pp

• →Breakfast at Chalet de la Maline (~£8–10)
• →Morning hike along Sentier Martel (GR4) through canyon tunnels to river level (free)
• →Full-day packraft descent — 7 miles of Grade 2/3 rapids in the Verdon Gorge
• →Packed riverside lunch on a deserted canyon beach (from supplies ~£6)
• →Steep hike back up to Chalet de la Maline (~1hr, ~400m gain)
• →Evening at the chalet — dinner self-catered or from chalet menu

One last breakfast on the chalet terrace with gorge views — savour it. Then set off on a short hike (~1hr) back down into the canyon a few miles downstream, following waymarked trails to the river. Inflate the packrafts and begin the final paddle — navigating a few small rapids before the canyon opens into the vast, turquoise Lac de Sainte-Croix. Paddle across part of the lake to the car park/beach at the canyon mouth (~3hrs total on water). Return gear to your hire company (arrange drop-off point in advance). Head to the picturesque village of Moustiers-Sainte-Marie for a well-earned celebratory drink or lunch (~£15). Catch the LER bus or a pre-booked taxi/BlaBlaCar back to Nice (~£20–25pp), arriving early evening. Budget time for a final Nice dinner if your flight is the next day.

🚌All on foot and packraft to Lac de Sainte-Croix exit. LER bus, BlaBlaCar or pre-booked taxi from Moustiers-Sainte-Marie/Sainte-Croix area back to Nice (~£20–25pp, 2hrs).

🛏None — trip ends on return to Nice. Budget for a Nice hostel if flying next day (~£25–35pp at Antares Hostel or Villa Saint-Exupéry).

• →Final breakfast at Chalet de la Maline (~£8–10)
• →Hike back into canyon to river level (~1hr, waymarked trails)
• →Final packraft from gorge exit into Lac de Sainte-Croix (~3hrs paddling)
• →Return packrafting gear to hire company
• →Celebratory lunch or drinks in Moustiers-Sainte-Marie (~£15)
• →Bus or BlaBlaCar transfer back to Nice (~£20–25pp)