Var Verdon Canyon Challenge

Hey Cow Boy ! Welcome to the French Canyon ! 🤠

France truly has nothing to envy from Americans! 🇺🇸 And yes, we’ve got our Grand Canyon too, the biggest in Europe! Nestled between the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence and the Var, the Verdon Regional Natural Park and its 188 000 hectares, is a real mosaic of landscapes 😍. From the horizontality of the Valensole Plateau to the steep vertical limestone cliffs of the Gorges du Verdon, then the peaceful expanse of the large lakes of Castillon, of Sainte-Croix, about Esparron, and Quinson, this land of contrast welcomes you in June for the mythical: Var Verdon Canyon Challenge 🏃.

With its very first edition in 1993, this sporting event is turning 30 this year! Yes, ladies and gentlemen, we’re talking about a trail pioneer 📖. For a bit of history, it’s a man named Jean Giacosa, nature lover and admirer of Europe’s biggest canyon who created the Var Verdon Canyon Challenge, formerly “ La Grande Course du Verdon et du lac de Sainte Croix.” When it started, this race was a 120 km three-day trek with over 9000 meters of cumulative elevation gain. Through its association AÉRIA, Jean then evolved this event into a staple on the PACA trail calendar 👌.

Nowadays it features 4 events on the schedule, open to men and women of all ages, backgrounds, and fitness levels to experience this exceptional outdoor adventure in harmony with nature! 🍃 We'll start small with the 8 km. Tiny but cute ferocious, the 17 km will offer a challenge that’s short yet demanding. The 24 km is just as tough and provides a condensed version of the Trail Entre Deux Rives (the longest distance) with stunning ridge and summit crossings of the Grand Margès. If you’re an experienced runner you can tackle the 40 km 🔥. Long and technical, it offers a gorgeous route that follows the famous White Explorer Martel Trail. For these last two trails, bring a headlamp because the start is just before sunrise 🔦.

The Var Verdon Canyon Challenge is the perfect excuse to gather with friends or family for an extraordinary event 🤗. Everyone can find a pace that fits, and no matter the distance chosen, it’s a world-class landscape opening its doors to you: the Verdon Regional Natural Park and the Geological Reserve of Haute-Provence. Some rocky passages, a bit rock climbing on the rocks and sheer cliffs are on the program. You’ll also traverse bridges and descend countless steps of the Imbert breach ladders 😰. And inside the caves, beware it could get very dark… TA G...TA G... 😅! When there are no more, there are still more, you’ll also run along ridges to admire an exceptional panorama. At the very top, keep your eyes wide open, with a bit of luck you may spot vultures 🦅 in the sky or even some trout in the streams. In short, nature lovers, this trail at the heart of Europe’s largest canyon is made for you!

And for a great post-race, there’s plenty to do in the region! From Menton to the Camargue, from Marseille to Barcelonnette, via Avignon, Arles, Aix-en-Provence, Nice, the area is a sunny tapestry! How about cycling the island of Porquerolles, sipping the views of Bandol’s vineyards or even playing a game of pétanque in Saint-Paul-de-Vence? 🤔 Of course, the incomparable scents of lavender, thyme, rosemary, and the chirping of cicadas will be along for the ride ☀️.