Why the most spectacular trail gorges du Verdon has remained closed for years

sentier de l’Imbut, known as the “canyon within a canyon,” has been closed to visitors since July 2022. The municipality of the commune Aiguines officially banned access after a series of rock falls, as the catch net became clogged with rocks and cleaning it proved technically difficult and too expensive for the local authorities.

Because of this, the route was removed from the departmental hiking trail plan. In addition to l’Imbut, two more sections are blocked in Verdon — sentiers des Pêcheurs and Cadières de Brandis, while traffic was restored only on sentier d’Entreverges. Mountain tour organizers emphasize the significant losses: the closed passage along the turquoise water provided shade, which is a rarity for this hot area in summer.

Representatives of the tourism community, led by Jean-Marc Paris, consider the safety measures excessive, as the entire gorge is prone to rockfalls. An online petition to reopen the facility has garnered 2,789 signatures. Now, activists are seeking to have the Fédération française de la montagne et de l’escalade (FFME) trail designated as a “terrain d’aventure” route, which would allow trained hikers to return there at their own risk.