The 9 most beautiful hikes to do around Quinson

An integral part of the Verdon Regional Natural Park, many hikes around Quinson are offered to walkers in the nearby areas: gorges, lakes and small summits make up a program with a variety of sensations.

For example, Quinson is an excellent base camp for walking tours in the region, through the beautiful landscapes of the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence. The Gorges du Verdon, one of the most beautiful natural sites in France, focus on them a lot of attention, but other beautiful hikes around Quinson are also the opportunity to get full of their eyes, while exercising a little, sometimes, the legs.

In the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, the season of the hike begins early: spring is perfect to discover an epic nature, the pleasant back-season for its softer temperatures. The sunny days of winter are the occasion of beautiful outings, but be careful, the mood of the Gorges du Verdon evolves quickly with a bad weather... In summer, always think about protecting yourself from the sun, adapt your walking times to the heat, and take a good water reserve with you!

1. Les Basses Gorges du Verdon

Let's get into the lively topic with this hike in Quinson taking as a frame the Bass Gorges du Verdon. The departure is directly on foot from the centre On the Pont du Verdon.

At first, the route consists of following an old network of canals along the river embedded in its cliffs, in an absolutely magnificent setting. The gorges are then overhanged through the Chapel Sainte-Maxime, before returning to the starting point. A beautiful buckle, well marked, with some more technical passages (chains, ladders) to have fun, but not recommended to young people .

If the itinerary seems too difficult to do so, it is perfectly possible to go back to the bottom of the gorges, no doubt the most beautiful part of the course.

2. Bauduen and Lac de Sainte-Croix

Bauduen, 30 minutes drive , will be the starting point of this hike around Quinson, with the main theme of Lac de Sainte-Croix. Powered by the Verdon, this lake is actually an artificial water reservoir, created by building a dam on the river.

The route invites us to hike directly along the shores of Lac de Sainte-Croix: the freshwater bathing is reviving the days when the mercury climbs up! Subsequently, the itinerary is a bit denived, in order to take height to appreciate some beautiful views of the lake, then to descend to the starting point.

3. At the edge of the Lake of Esparron-de-Verdon

Another lake, for another nice hike around Quinson. This time you’ll be on the shores of Lake Esparron-de-Verdon, upstream of the river, compared to our point of fall: it’s not far from the bird’s flight, but count well 45 minutes by car to get to the start because the road is not direct.

The route is both easy and well-marked therefore, it is appropriate all levels : you walk by the lake through a beautiful Provencal vegetation, and when the weather is ready, you don’t hesitate to sit on a small beach to get to the water, to prolong the pleasure of the walk...

4. The Ascension of the Great Margès

The aim of this hike around Quinson is very clear: you climb the summit of the Grand Margès, on the way back, following a well marked trail from end to end . The difficulty therefore does not lie in the orientation during the walk, but in the denial accumulated by this sporting outing.

The departure is in the village of Aiguines, 45 minutes drive from Quinson . From there, GR99 leads right to the summit of the Grand Margès, which culminates in 1577 m : the assurance of a superb panorama of the surrounding area, including the Lac de Sainte-Croix, the Bass Gorges du Verdon, the plateau of Valensole, as well as the increasingly marked reliefs of the Préalpes.

The same way back, the sticks can serve!

5. The viewers of the Gorges de Baudinard

Another beautiful hike around Quinson, 20 minutes drive only On the side of Baudinard, you can discover a new section of the Gorges du Verdon: the route passes through multiple viewpoints each offering a different viewpoint on the river and its deep canyon, of which you don’t get tired, but also on the Lac de Sainte-Croix and its dam.

One accessible exit and a well-marked course, in part in the shade of the forest, with a pedagogical part retracing the history of the local charcoal: ideal for half-day.

6. Boucle autour de Moustiers-Sainte-Marie

A beautiful hike around Quinson, coupled with a must-see visit to the region: the village of Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, ranked among the most beautiful in France, is 30 minutes drive only .

From the village, the route progresses with impressive rocky escarpments to reach a whole network of trails, including an ancient Roman track, overlooking the surrounding area. The calm reigns on the itinerary, perfect for enjoying the views of the Lac de Sainte-Croix and the plateau of Valensole.

On the way back, take the time to immerse yourself in the setting and atmosphere of Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, to conclude a superb day.

7. The Col de Plein See and the Col de l’Âne

Let's stay in the area of Moustiers-Sainte-Marie for another hike around Quinson, 35 minutes drive , more trash this one. Indeed, the route accumulates a lot of denial, and passes through difficult, quite dizzy and leaning passages, reserved for walkers under the sole .

They will feast as the ascent to the Col de Plein See, at 1168 m altitude , beautiful views of the surrounding area, including the Gorges du Verdon and the Lac de Sainte-Croix, in a mineral and abrupt setting. The itinerary then switches to the Col de l’Âne, before forming a loop to the starting point.

8. The Sillans Waterfall

Direction south this time, for a hike around Quinson from easy level, closer to the ride in terms of difficulty. So much better, because it allows everyone to admire the beautiful Sillans waterfall, a natural site not to be missed in the area.

The starting point of the route is in Sillans-la-Cascade, 25 minutes drive from Quinson . The trail, well shaded by the forest and refreshed by the bright waters, is a pleasure in all seasons, with several beautiful views of the waterfall on the way.

9. From Pontevès to the summit of the Petit Bessillon

A hike around Quinson for lovers of beautiful views, from Pontevès, 30 minutes by car . The aim of the exit will be the summit of the Petit Bessillon, at 669 m altitude . High enough to offer a breathtaking view of the entire surrounding area, with orientation table to spot.

If the track is not particularly long, still have good shoes to face the rocks on the way. A few safe passages with chains and barriers can be difficult to cross for people who are uninsured, or suffering from dizziness... you are warned!