With a dog
The Verdon is a joy on four paws — as long as you know the rules. Compulsory lead, three strictly banned trails, beaches that accept dogs (or don’t), flock-guarding patous and summer heat: here is the honest guide to enjoying the gorge with your companion, safely.
The Blanc-Martel trail (La Palud-sur-Verdon / Rougon), the Imbut trail (Aiguines) and the Garde-Canal trail (Quinson) are strictly off-limits to dogs. Vertical metal ladders, vertiginous passages and sensitive natural areas make them dangerous for the animal — and ignoring the ban risks an on-the-spot fine. Plan a different outing on those days.
On a lead, your dog is welcome on the vast majority of the Verdon’s trails: the balconies of the Route des Crêtes, the lakeside paths, the Valensole plateaux, the lanes of the perched villages. The lead is compulsory everywhere in the Park — for the wildlife (vultures, game) as much as for your dog’s own safety near the sheer drops.
On Lake Sainte-Croix, the big beach at Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon is off-limits to dogs in season — but the beach at Aiguines accepts them, and the quieter coves remain open. Good news: dogs are usually allowed aboard the electric boats, pedalos and canoes of Sainte-Croix and Esparron.
On the high pastures of the Haut-Verdon and the plateaux, you may come across patous — large white dogs that guard the flocks and can see yours as a threat. The rule: stay calm, keep your dog on a lead, don’t pick it up, give the flock a wide berth without running, and don’t stare the guard dog in the eye.
In summer the limestone rock burns paw pads and the heat can turn deadly. Walk early in the morning or in the evening, carry plenty of water and a bowl, seek out shade, and give up on the hot hours: a dog does not regulate its temperature the way we do. Watch for excessive panting and fatigue.
Many of the Verdon’s campsites, gîtes and hotels accept dogs, often for a small surcharge. Plenty of restaurant terraces welcome them too. Find the places to stay, as and when they are verified, in our directory.
Yes, but on a lead: this is compulsory everywhere in the Verdon Regional Nature Park, to protect the wildlife and for your dog’s safety near the cliffs. It can join you on the vast majority of trails and in the villages. Three routes are the exception and are strictly off-limits to dogs (see below).
No. The Blanc-Martel trail (La Palud-sur-Verdon / Rougon) is off-limits to dogs, even on a lead, because of its vertical metal ladders, its vertiginous passages and the sensitive natural areas it crosses. The same goes for the Imbut trail (Aiguines) and the Garde-Canal trail (Quinson). Ignoring this can mean an on-the-spot fine.
The big beach at Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon is off-limits to dogs in summer, but the beach at Aiguines accepts them and has a large car park. The small coves away from the supervised beaches stay open. On the water, dogs are generally allowed aboard the electric boats, pedalos and canoes of Lake Sainte-Croix and Lake Esparron — check with the rental firm.
Keep calm and your dog on a lead, don’t pick it up, give the flock a wide berth without running or shouting, and don’t stare the patou in the eye. These guard dogs are not aggressive by nature: they react to what they perceive as a threat to their flock. A neutral attitude and a wide detour are almost always enough.
Hike early in the morning or late in the day, never in the hot hours; carry plenty of water and a folding bowl; favour shaded trails and lakeshores; beware of the scorching limestone rock on paw pads. Watch for signs of heatstroke (heavy panting, very red tongue, tiredness) and cool your dog down at once at the slightest doubt.