A Week in Provence - Rail Travel from London

Distance: 7 miles (11km)

Total ascent: 1,000 feet (300m)

In summary: We will climb up to the vast plateau of Valensole behind the town to take in the wide sweeping horizon towards Manosque and the mountains. Using an old livestock droving route, passing lavender and olive plantations, we travel across the plateau. Meeting the old road from Manosque we start our descent to arrive eventually beneath the ancient walls of Gréoux castle. We have time to explore before a final short descent into the heart of the old town, where you can choose to explore its narrow streets and linger over a drink or continue back to the hotel and a swim perhaps.

Highlight: Spectacular views down to Manosque from the Valensole plateau.

Distance: 8½ miles (13½km)

Total ascent: 1,700 feet (510m)

In summary: The harder walk takes us in the opposite direction to the easier group, starting by crossing the Verdon River on Gréoux’s ancient bridge. We follow the river bank for a short time before climbing steeply up on wooded tracks. Views open up as we travel towards the remote hamlet of Les Maurras, an area known for its truffles. Continuing to climb we pass over the subterranean route of the old Verdon irrigation canal which we will see later in the week. Arriving at the highest point of the day we are greeted by a view of Gréoux’s castle in the distance, before descending and climbing again to pass the remote chapel of Notre Dame des Oeufs, enjoying views over the lower Verdon valley. Our final descent leads us back over the river and into town.

Highlight: Visit the Notre Dame des Oeufs and discover it's local custom.

Distance: 4 miles (6½km)

Total ascent: 600 feet (180m)

In summary: The easier group will have time to explore this historic town and its market, perhaps climbing to the Citadel to see the carillon and observe the magnificent view before setting off. Our tracks are stony in places but never too steep as we cross the wooded limestone plateau on our journey to Mane. We will pass interesting stone bories, old shepherds’ shelters, and it may be possible to visit the ancient Abbey of Salagon and its ethno-botanical gardens.

Highlight: A local interest guide will accompany the group today to explain more about the local area.

Distance: 8 miles (13km)

Total ascent: 1,300 feet (390m)

In summary: After a brief look around the market we make a steady climb out of Forcalquier to the plateau of Les Mourres to see the strangely shaped limestone rocks created by water and wind erosion over the centuries. On descending we will pass dry stone bories (huts) and old shepherds’ shelters before passing the abbey to arrive at Mane for welcome refreshments.

Highlight: The limestone rocks at Les Mourres.

Distance: 7.5 miles (12km)

Total ascent: 920 feet (280m)

This varied hike in the Luberon starts in the village of Céreste. After a steady climb, we reach a scenic ridge with beautiful views over the Calavon Valley on one side and the Luberon on the other. Our walk leads us to the old citadel of Montjustin, which we will visit. On the return, we'll cross Roman and medieval bridges and discover rich flora and ancient ruins. The picturesque village of Céreste, with its delightful pavement cafés, will be the start and finish of our route.

Distance: 9.5 miles (15km)

Total ascent: 1,050 feet (320m)

Today’s more challenging walk follows the same route as option 1 before parting ways by crossing a valley and climbing to the other side. Here we'll find the remains of the medieval Carluc Priory. Believed to have been built in the 11th century and surrounded by an even older necropolis, this ruined chapel once served as a welcome resting spot for Christian pilgrims making arduous journeys between Italy and Spain. We’ll finish our journey by returning to Céreste.

Distance: 6 miles (9½km)

Total ascent: 750 feet (230m)

In summary: We will be dropped off near to Lac Ste Croix and the first part of the walk follows the lake shore to Pont de Galetas where the river emerges from the upper Verdon Gorge. After leaving the lake we follow the line of a stream called La Maïre through woods to Le Petit Lac where there are good views of the craggy cliffs of the upper plateau. From here we climb through scenic fields to enter the village of Moustiers-Ste-Marie, famed for its ceramics and pilgrims’ church with a golden star hung high above in the cleft in the crags.

Highlight: Time to explore the streets of Moustiers-Ste-Marie.

Distance: 7 miles (11km)

Total ascent: 1,640ft (500m)

In summary: This walk takes us steeply up to the craggy ridge of L’Oubes with great views over the Lac St Croix and the start of the Upper Verdon Gorge. After crossing the summit and descending to a dry riverbed the terrain becomes more open before the final spectacular descent to Moustiers St Marie on a twisting ancient road.

Highlight: Walk up to the chapel of Notre Dame de Beauvoir perched high on its rock for magnificent views.

Distance: 6½ miles (10.5km)

Total ascent: 900ft (270m) 

In summary: We climb up a rough zigzag path to the plateau of Male Sauque to follow fairly level tracks until we descend to the chapel of St Maxime. This is an ideal lunch spot and there is time to admire the view down to the gorge. We descend to a shady woodland path that leads us to the Verdon gorge and old canal. Passing through a short tunnel, we walk on top of the retaining wall of the old canal and eventually follow a suspended wooden walkway (with handrail) that is just a few feet above the river. It is then a short walk to the village of Quinson which has an interesting museum dedicated to prehistoric man’s settlement in this region.

Highlight: The breathtaking Verdon gorge.

Distance: 6 miles (9½km)

Total ascent: 900 feet (270m)

In summary: The harder walk starts in the gorge on a rocky, but fairly level, path with occasional steps cut into the rock. There are metal handrails and staircases in places and a timber walkway suspended above the river, before the path follows the top of the retaining wall of an old Napoleonic canal. After passing through a short tunnel we initially ascend through woodland before a final short steep ascent to the ridge and chapel of St Maxime. We return descending a steep, but stepped, route down the side of a gorge, to arrive back at river level, then follow the original route back to the Verdon Bridge and well earned refreshments. There is a short level river walk back to the village of Quinson where our transport awaits.

Highlight: Discover one of Europe's most beautiful river canyons.