2014 07 18 Paddling the Verdon with Ecole de kayak du Verdon and the Vagabonds FULL version
Note: this is the ultra-long slow-tv version in 1080p. Nice for people intending to paddle the canyon, maybe boring for others. For a shorter version see Vimeo
and (720p)
In the summer of 2014 I unexpectedly ended up in Castellane after having left the Guillestre region because of bad weather. After having paddled the pre-canyon (Castellane – Point Sublime) a few times, I decided to go look for a guide, to paddle the Grand Canyon again. That turned out not to be that easy. There is a lot of rafting, hot dogging etc on the stretch of river leading into the Canyon, but no commercial rafting or kayaking through the canyon. This makes sense because of the risk involved.
At last I got in contact with the Verdon kayak school (Ecole de Kayak du Verdon). It turned out they have a website and are on facebook.
So on the 18th of July I joined a trip with the Verdon kayak school and some other French paddlers from a kayak school from the Guillestre region “Les Vagues à Bonds”
I have now paddled the Grand Canyon twice. The first time without a guide, the second time with. After both these experiences, I would like to advice all paddlers who are not familiar with this river to get a guide.
It is not a very difficult river (class IV at the summer water level), but the amount of undercuts, sifons make that the “normal lines” will sometimes bring you very close to danger. Because of the huge boulders you cannot see what’s coming and a siphon blocking the whole river might be around a corner.
It is a long paddle, in a deep canyon with no help nearby. Do not expect other kayak groups to be there, because there are not that many people paddling this canyon. If you do venture out without a guide, make sure, that the Inbut is free, before you paddle into it. (There is a portage, but it takes about an hour).
This is not to scare you: it is the most beautiful river I know and if you are a paddler able to do a class IV you should definitely try to paddle it (with a guide). If you are a class III paddler try paddling the pre-Canyon. You can paddle up to Point Sublime. You can enjoy the beauty of the canyon without having to face the danger. Okay, you have to carry your boat up some stairs at the end (takes 10 minutes or so), but its definitely worth it.
The water levels are controlled by a dam, so in spring a lot of times there is no water. In July and Agustus there used to be water on Tuesday and Friday, but last summer there was water only twice. Because it was a dry winter, but also policy of the EDF seems to have changed. Most years there are damn release in the first or second week of september, but it is all very unpredictable and hard to get good info.
2017 09 08 Paddling the Verdon with Ecole de Kayak du Verdon Essential version
Note: this is 10 minute version. There is also a 40 minute slow-tv version on this channel.
The Verdon Grand Canyon is not a very difficult (class IV at the summer water level), but the amount of undercuts and siphons make that the “normal lines” will sometimes bring you very close to danger. Because of the huge boulders you cannot see what’s coming and a siphon blocking the whole river might be around a corner.
It is a long paddle, in a deep canyon with no help nearby. Do not expect other kayak groups to be there, because there are not that many people paddling this canyon. If you do venture out without a guide, make sure, that the Imbut is free, before you paddle into it. (There is a portage, but it takes about an hour).
This is not to scare you: it is the most beautiful river I know and if you are a paddler able to do a class IV you should definitely try to paddle it (with a guide). If you are a class III paddler try paddling the pre-Canyon. You can paddle up to Point Sublime. You can enjoy the beauty of the canyon without having to face the danger. Okay, you have to carry your boat up some stairs at the end (takes 10 minutes or so), but its definitely worth it.
The water levels are controlled by a dam, so in spring a lot of times there is no water. In July and Agustus there used to be water on Tuesday and Friday, but last summer there was water only twice. Because it was a dry winter, but also policy of the EDF seems to have changed. Most years there are damn release in the first or second week of september, but it is all very unpredictable and hard to get good info.
To get in contact with the Ecole de Kayak du Verdon go to or contact them over facebook.
2016 09 08 Paddling the Verdon with the guides at 27 CM3
The Verdon Grand Canyon is not a very difficult (class IV at the summer water level), but the amount of undercuts and siphons make that the “normal lines” will sometimes bring you very close to danger. Because of the huge boulders you cannot see what’s coming and a siphon blocking the whole river might be around a corner.
It is a long paddle, in a deep canyon with no help nearby. Do not expect other kayak groups to be there, because there are not that many people paddling this canyon. If you do venture out without a guide, make sure, that the Imbut is free, before you paddle into it. (There is a portage, but it takes about an hour).
This is not to scare you: it is the most beautiful river I know and if you are a paddler able to do a class IV you should definitely try to paddle it (with a guide). If you are a class III paddler try paddling the pre-Canyon. You can paddle up to Point Sublime. You can enjoy the beauty of the canyon without having to face the danger. Okay, you have to carry your boat up some stairs at the end (takes 10 minutes or so), but its definitely worth it.
The water levels are controlled by a dam, so in spring a lot of times there is no water. In July and Agustus there used to be water on Tuesday and Friday, but last summer(2017) there was water only twice. Because it was a dry winter, but also policy of the EDF seems to have changed. Most years there are damn release in the first or second week of september, but it is all very unpredictable and hard to get good info.
I normally paddle with a guide from Ecole du Kayak du Verdon.
The hydro speed hero in this movie however is the owner of Montagne & Riviere and they can also provide excellent guides.
KAYAK TOUR: FRANCE - Verdon, Up & Down The River
Le Verdon - Up & Down The River
We spent two nights and one day at the Camping Le Galetas at Lac de Sainte Croix in the summer of 2013.
We started at the eastern end of the lake, where the river Verdon ends in its own artificial lake. From there we paddled up the river as far as we could. It was a distance of about 3 km when we started to return down the river at 43°46'35.8N 6°16'23.9E
Music: Sunshine In My Heart, Jingle Punks - Youtube.com
Canyon du Verdon EKV
Descente du canyon du Verdon en Kayak, avec Stéphane Busiere et David Michelena . 2H15
Kayaking the Verdon Gorge (European Grand Canyon) 2011
Scott Iliffe (GoPro), Mick Taylor & Roy Wheatcroft.
GoPro: Gorges du Verdon, France 2015
Upper Verdon
As there was just enough water on the upper section of the Verdon, which is seldom for the beginning of July.
So we embarked at the public pool in the middle of Colmars and the take out was at the lower bridge toward Thorame-Haute.
Canoe Kayak Raft in the Alps, Gorges du Verdon and Provence with Base Sport Nature
Canoe, Kayak, Verdon, Castellane.
In duo in Canoe Raft or solo in Kayak Raft, only a few minutes are needed to learn the fundamentals before facing the rapids.
KAYAK-Verdon-French Alps-August 2013
Kayaking !!!!!!!!!! We kayaked from Castelane to the Point Sublime
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Music from : Adventure Club-Wait, thank you adventure club for letting us use your track ;)
Thx for watching !!!!!
Feel free to like and leave a joyfull comment :)
KayaK Gorges du Verdon (FR) - 01/10/2011
Gorges du Verdon (FR) - 01/10/2011 con Vladimiro Farina
DURANCE CANOE KAYAK. L’ARGENTIERE LA BESSEE (HAUTES ALPES, FRANCIA)
CANOA KAYAK SUL PERCORSO DI SLALOM SUL FIUME DURANCE A L’ARGENTIERE LA BESSEE, HAUTES ALPES, FRANCIA.
FEDERAZIONE ITALIANA CANOA TURISTICA E CANOA CLUB MILANO.
RADUNO INTERNAZIONALE ESTIVO DI CANOA KAYAK AL CAMPING DU LAC “LES ISCLES”, EYGLIERS, HAUTES ALPES, FRANCIA. 1-15 AGOSTO 2015.
Vedute del percorso di canoa slalom di l’Argentiere la Bessee.
Questo filmato è dedicato alla memoria di Luciano Paperetti (1929-2015).
Riprese video effettuate martedì 4 agosto 2015.
Grand Canyon Expedition by Ride the Verdon©
Le grand canyon du Verdon est un lieu hors du commun. Long de 25 kilomètres, c’est l’un des plus long, et à coup sûr le plus beau d’Europe.
Sa descente en kayak est une réelle aventure mélangeant engagement et émerveillement.
A bord d’un kayak de rivière tandem, vous serez accompagné de votre guide.
Ce parcours, par sa beauté, ses passages hors du commun où la rivière s’engouffre parfois sous les falaises, est réputé dans le monde entier.
C’est une véritable expérience, où vous glisserez sur les eaux turquoises du Verdon, depuis Castellane jusqu’à l’arrivée, au lac de Sainte-Croix.
The Grand Canyon of the Verdon is an exceptional place. 25 kilometers long, it is one of the biggest and with no doubt the most beautiful one in Europe. Running it on a kayak is a real adventure that combines commitment and wonder. On board a river tandem kayak, you will be accompanied with your guide. This beautiful course is renowned worldwide and offers exceptional paths where the river occasionally rushes under cliffs.
This is a real experience that will make you slide on the Verdon turquoise waters, from Castellane up to the arrival point at the Lake of Sainte-Croix. Whoever wants to embark on this adventure must expect a day full of emotions.
Plus d'informations / more informations: ridetheverdon.com
Kayak Canyon et Gorges du Verdon 2017
Gorges et Canyon du Verdon en Kayak (8m3)
18 juillet 2017
ASACP 25 Kayak
Castellane la Verdon WildWasserWoche 2014 TV Rosbach Kanu paddeln kayaking
Castellane WildWasserWoche 2014 la Verdon TV Rosbach Kanu kajak kayaking canoeing
ganzes Video
I Sirbon Gole del Verdon in Kayak (Gorges du Verdon)
Il Fiume Verdon nasce nelle Alpi Marittime e affluisce nella Durance dopo circa 175 km.
Il suo lungo corso assicura un ottimo scorrimento idrico tutto l'anno estate compresa, anche in periodi siccitosi.
La sua parte più interessante a livello paesaggistico si trova nella Regione Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (Provenza -Alpi-Costa Azzurra) nei Dipartipenti Var e Alpes-de-Haute-Provence (Alpi di Alta Provenza dei quali segna a lungo il confine. Più precisamente stiamo parlando di uno specifico tratto del Verdon compreso tra il paese di Castellane e il bellissimo Lago artificiale di Sainte-Croix ed è nota col nome di Gorges du Verdon (Gole Del Verdon) dove il fiume scorre incassato tra altissime e articolate pareti calcaree.
Un posto unico e affascinante, un luogo quasi surreale dove ambiente profumi e colori si fondono in un unica magia della natura.
Le imponenti pareti si ergono fino a 700 metri nei punti più alti e arrivano quasi a toccarsi con 6 metri di distanza in alcuni tratti particolarmente stretti.
Va da se che le Gole Del Verdon sono un immenso Paradiso per chi vuol vivere la natura in maniera sportiva o solo andare a vederla come turista.
Tra le attività possibili nella gola ci sono anche le escursioni in Kayak (o canoa).
In questa occasione abbiamo intrapreso il percorso più gettonato che con partenza dalle spiagge lungo le rive del Lago di Sainte-Croix per risalire il fiume entrando nella parte più spettacolare di questo tratto di gola.
E' un percorso adatto anche a chi non ha mai usato canoe e kayak che richiede massimo .130 ore per godere con tutta calma delle incredibili bellezze che il luogo propone.
In particolare il visitatore viene colpito dal colore flluorescente dell'acqua che sembra avere dei fari accesi nel fondale.
Una bellissima cascata arricchisce, se mai ce ne fosse bisogno, il fascino di questo luogo magico.
Ovviamente non abbiamo perso l'occasione di fare la doccia in Kayak....
vacances castellane juillet 2015
avec Méghane Sébastien Allan Nicolas Frédéric Fabienne
Le Grand Canyon du Verdon, une journée unique
Le grand canyon du Verdon est un lieu hors du commun. Long de 25 kilomètres, c’est l’un des plus long, et à coup sûr le plus beau d’Europe.
Sa descente en kayak est une réelle aventure mélangeant engagement et émerveillement.
A bord d’un kayak de rivière tandem, vous serez accompagné de votre guide.
Ce parcours, par sa beauté, ses passages hors du commun où la rivière s’engouffre parfois sous les falaises, est réputé dans le monde entier.
C’est une véritable expérience, où vous glisserez sur les eaux turquoises du Verdon, depuis Castellane jusqu’à l’arrivée, au lac de Sainte-Croix.
La personne qui souhaite se lancer à l’aventure doit s’attendre à une journée pleine en émotions.
Pour des raisons de sécurité, il est impératif de :
- peser moins de 90 kg
- être en forme
- savoir nager
- avoir envie d’aventure
Rendez-vous vite sur ridetheverdon.com
Kayak Verdon
Abonnez vous ;)