{"id":7510,"date":"2016-02-08T22:14:03","date_gmt":"2016-02-08T22:14:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.activeazur.com\/?page_id=7510"},"modified":"2018-09-19T19:50:59","modified_gmt":"2018-09-19T19:50:59","slug":"gorges-du-verdon","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.ultimatefrance.com\/rock-climbing\/south-france\/gorges-du-verdon","title":{"rendered":"Rock Climbing in the Gorges du Verdon"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"locationimage\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" title=\"Rock Climbing in the South of France\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.ultimatefrance.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/rock-climbing-south-of-france-730x230.jpg\" alt=\"Rock climbing in the South of France\" width=\"730\" height=\"230\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" class=\"lazyload\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 730px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 730\/230;\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" title=\"Rock Climbing in the South of France\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ultimatefrance.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/rock-climbing-south-of-france-730x230.jpg\" alt=\"Rock climbing in the South of France\" width=\"730\" height=\"230\" \/><\/noscript><\/p>\n<h2>The best Rock Climbing in the Gorges du Verdon<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<p>The Gorges du Verdon is often called Europe&#8217;s Grand Canyon, but in the climbing world it&#8217;s more like Europe&#8217;s Yosemite Valley. There&#8217;s enough climbing for 10 lifetimes. 350 m of beautiful bullet-blue limestone once considered too high and featureless to be climbable now has 1500 recognised routes, including some of the world&#8217;s best hard multi-pitch routes. Some of these routes can only be accessed by abseiling into them and setting up hanging belays. Other single pitch sports routes are a lot less committing and can be accessed from the valley floor. The scale of the place renders the atmosphere intimidating for Verdon newbies, but as a consolation, the variety and quality of the rock is superb with tufas, crimps, chimneys and perfect limestone pockets.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>The big wall climbing in Verdon is far more committing and involved than a lot of other places in the world because you do have to approach from the top of the cliff and rappel down and pull your ropes. And then you&#8217;re just down there dangling in space, and the only way out is to climb out.<br \/>\n<strong>Emily Harrington<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<hr \/>\n<h3>Book a Rock Climbing Trip in the Gorges du Verdon<\/h3>\n<p>Our rock climbing partners offer full-day and half-day climbing trips and cater to all abilities and group sizes. Rock climbing is an extreme sport which takes place in magnificent mountain terrain in remote locations. Take a guide, you&#8217;ll be safer and you&#8217;ll have a lot more fun.<\/p>\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\">var SABAI = SABAI || {}; SABAI.isRTL =  false; SABAI.domain = \"\"; SABAI.path = \"\/\";<\/script>\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\">\njQuery(document).ready(function($) {\nSABAI.init($(\"#sabai-embed-wordpress-shortcode-1\"));\n});\n<\/script>\n<div id=\"sabai-embed-wordpress-shortcode-1\" class=\"sabai sabai-embed\"><script type=\"text\/javascript\">\njQuery(document).ready(function($) {\n    $(SABAI).bind('sabaipopstate', function (e, state) {\n        if (state.container !== '#sabai-embed-wordpress-shortcode-1' || state.target !== '.sabai-directory-listings-container') return;\n\n        var url = SABAI.parseUrl(state.url);\n        $('#sabai-embed-wordpress-shortcode-1 .sabai-directory-search')\n            .find('input[name=\"keywords\"]').val(url.query.keywords || '').end()\n            .find('input[name=\"address\"]').val(url.query.address || '').end()\n            .find('select[name=\"category\"]').val(url.query.category || 0);\n    });\n    $(SABAI).bind('toggle.sabai', function (e, data) {\n        if (data.target.hasClass('sabai-directory-filters')) {\n            data.target.parent().find('.sabai-directory-listings').removeClass('sabai-col-md-12').addClass('sabai-col-md-8');\n        }\n    });\n    \n    $(SABAI).bind('entity_filter_form_toggled.sabai.#sabai-embed-wordpress-shortcode-1', function (e, data) {\n        if (data.container === '#sabai-embed-wordpress-shortcode-1' && !data.target.is(':visible')) {\n            data.target.parent().find('.sabai-directory-listings').removeClass('sabai-col-md-8').addClass('sabai-col-md-12');\n        }\n    });\n});\n<\/script>\n<div class=\"sabai-directory-listings-container\">\n  \n<div class=\"sabai-row\">\n    <div class=\"sabai-directory-filters sabai-col-md-4\" style=\" display:none;\">\n    <\/div><div class=\"sabai-directory-listings sabai-directory-listings-list sabai-col-md-12\">\n    <div id=\"sabai-entity-content-1100\" class=\"sabai-entity sabai-entity-type-content sabai-entity-bundle-name-directory-listing sabai-entity-bundle-type-directory-listing sabai-entity-mode-summary sabai-directory-listing-featured sabai-directory-listing-featured-5 sabai-directory-listing-claimed sabai-clearfix\">\n    <div class=\"sabai-row\">\n        <div class=\"sabai-col-xs-3 sabai-directory-images\">\n            <div class=\"sabai-directory-photos\">\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ultimatefrance.com\/directory\/listing\/couleur-canyon-verdon\" rel=\"\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ultimatefrance.com\/wp-content\/sabai\/File\/thumbnails\/2951dbd92f5ab21cbfc1f77271a81115.gif\" alt=\"Couleur Canyon - logo\" itemprop=\"image\" \/><\/a>\n<\/div>        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"sabai-col-xs-9 sabai-directory-main\">\n            <div class=\"sabai-directory-title\">\n                <i class=\"sabai-entity-icon-directory-claimed fa fa-check-circle\" title=\"This is an owner verified listing.\"><\/i> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ultimatefrance.com\/directory\/listing\/couleur-canyon-verdon\" title=\"Couleur Canyon - Canyoning, Rock Climbing &amp; Via Ferrata in Verdon\" class=\" sabai-entity-permalink sabai-entity-id-1100 sabai-entity-type-content sabai-entity-bundle-name-directory-listing sabai-entity-bundle-type-directory-listing\">Couleur Canyon - Canyoning, Rock Climbing &amp; Via Ferrata in Verdon<\/a>            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"sabai-directory-info sabai-clearfix\">\n                <div class=\"sabai-directory-location\">\n                    <span class=\"sabai-googlemaps-address sabai-googlemaps-address-0\"><i class=\"fa fa-map-marker fa-fw\"><\/i> 31 Rue nationale, 04120 Castellane, France<\/span>                    \n                <\/div>\n                <div class=\"sabai-directory-contact\">\n                    <div class=\"sabai-directory-contact-mobile\"><i class=\"fa fa-mobile fa-fw\"><\/i> <span class=\"sabai-hidden-xs\" itemprop=\"telephone\">+33 (0)6 08 14 93 91<\/span><span class=\"sabai-visible-xs-inline\"><a href=\"tel:330608149391\">+33 (0)6 08 14 93 91<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"sabai-directory-contact-email\"><i class=\"fa fa-envelope fa-fw\"><\/i> <a href=\"mailto:c&#111;&#110;&#116;a&#99;&#116;&#64;&#99;oul&#101;&#117;r&#99;an&#121;o&#110;.&#102;r\" target=\"_blank\">SEND EMAIL<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"sabai-directory-contact-website\"><i class=\"fa fa-globe fa-fw\"><\/i> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ultimatefrance.com\/go\/couleur-canyon-canyoning\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow external\">VISIT WEBSITE<\/a><\/div>                <\/div>\n                <div class=\"sabai-directory-social\">\n                                    <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"sabai-directory-custom-fields\">\n                            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sabai-navigation sabai-navigation-bottom sabai-clearfix\">\n    <div class=\"sabai-pull-left\">\n        <span>Showing 1 result<\/span>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>The Gorges du Verdon &#8211; The Birthplace of Sport Climbing<\/h2>\n<p>The Verdon is the setting for some of the most ground-breaking and incredible ascents from the earliest days of sport climbing.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"\/\/assets.nationalgeographic.com\/modules-video\/assets\/ngsEmbeddedVideo.html?guid=0000014e-b78c-dd38-ab4e-ff8dc70d0001&amp;t=41\" width=\"730\" height=\"416\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" seamless=\"seamless\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<div class=\"practicalfull\">\n<h2>L&#8217;Escal\u00e8s<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>Rock:<\/strong> Limestone. <strong>Max height:<\/strong> 350 m. <strong>Grade:<\/strong> French 5c to 8c. <strong>Number of routes:<\/strong> 300.<br \/>\n<strong>Lat long:<\/strong> 43.772360, 6.380829<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ultimatefrance.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/rock-climbing-verdon-escales-2.jpg\" rel=\"lightbox[7510]\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.ultimatefrance.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/rock-climbing-verdon-escales-2.jpg\" alt=\"Rock climbing on l'Escal\u00e8s in the Gorges du Verdon\" title=\"Rock climbing on l'Escal\u00e8s in the Gorges du Verdon\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-8415 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ultimatefrance.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/rock-climbing-verdon-escales-2.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.ultimatefrance.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/rock-climbing-verdon-escales-2-500x334.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.ultimatefrance.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/rock-climbing-verdon-escales-2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.ultimatefrance.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/rock-climbing-verdon-escales-2-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.ultimatefrance.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/rock-climbing-verdon-escales-2-240x160.jpg 240w, https:\/\/www.ultimatefrance.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/rock-climbing-verdon-escales-2-350x234.jpg 350w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1000px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1000\/667;\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ultimatefrance.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/rock-climbing-verdon-escales-2.jpg\" alt=\"Rock climbing on l'Escal\u00e8s in the Gorges du Verdon\" title=\"Rock climbing on l'Escal\u00e8s in the Gorges du Verdon\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-8415\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ultimatefrance.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/rock-climbing-verdon-escales-2.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.ultimatefrance.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/rock-climbing-verdon-escales-2-500x334.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.ultimatefrance.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/rock-climbing-verdon-escales-2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.ultimatefrance.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/rock-climbing-verdon-escales-2-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.ultimatefrance.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/rock-climbing-verdon-escales-2-240x160.jpg 240w, https:\/\/www.ultimatefrance.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/rock-climbing-verdon-escales-2-350x234.jpg 350w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/noscript><\/a><br \/>\n<em>Big exposure at l&#8217;Escales in the Gorges du Verdon | \u00a9 Flickr &#8211; ADT 04<\/em><\/p>\n<p>L&#8217;Escal\u00e8s is the largest of the climbing areas in the Gorges du Verdon. The 350 m cliff has over 300 single-pitch and multi-pitch routes from 5c to 8c (French grade). L&#8217;Escal\u00e8s is famous for its highly committing multi-pitch routes that you must abseil into before pulling the ropes and climbing out from a ledge or a hanging belay.<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s not all like that though. Big routes like La Demande and ULA can be accessed on foot from the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ultimatefrance.com\/hiking\/south-france\/gorges-du-verdon\">Sentier Blanc-Martel<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Gear wise you&#8217;ll need double 60 m ropes and 18 or so quickdraws<\/strong>, and although the routes are bolted it&#8217;s a good idea to bring a small trad rack. It&#8217;s also worth noting that on some of the older big wall routes the bolts are well spaced out. Verdon veteran Alan Carne recommends having one or two skyhooks in your arsenal to help bridge the gap through harder sections.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3>La Demande &#8211; 6a<\/h3>\n<p>La Demande is one of Verdon&#8217;s legendary climbs. At 375 metres it&#8217;s the longest climb in the Gorges and was one of the first routes up the famed north rim. In that respect, the climb is symbolic of an era and the crack climbing is more Alpine expedition than Verdon sport climbing.<\/p>\n<p>The final 3 pitches on the upper chimneys have a fearsome reputation, but with more fixed protection added over the years, they&#8217;re not as formidable as they once were. Despite this, it&#8217;s a good idea to bring a small trad rack with nuts and cams from 0.5 to 2&#8243;. With 11 pitches from 5c to 6a+, La Demande is a long climb which will take the average team about 6 hours to complete.<\/p>\n<p>To access the route you have two options: You can either abseil down the Dalles Grises or access on foot via the Sentier Blanc-Martel.<\/p>\n<p>Other legendary Escal\u00e8s routes include, D\u00e9rob\u00e9e 6a, Dingomaniaque 6c, Frime et Ch\u00e2timent 6c, and Surveiller et Punir 7a.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<div class=\"practicalfull\">\n<h2>La Paroi du Duc<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>Rock:<\/strong> Limestone. <strong>Max height:<\/strong> 350 m. <strong>Grade:<\/strong> French 5c to 8c. <strong>Number of routes:<\/strong> 300.<br \/>\n<strong>Lat long:<\/strong> 43.772360, 6.380829<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ultimatefrance.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/rock-climbing-verdon-paroi-du-duc.jpg\" rel=\"lightbox[7510]\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.ultimatefrance.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/rock-climbing-verdon-paroi-du-duc.jpg\" alt=\"Rock climbing S\u00e9rie Limit\u00e9e on the Paroi du Duc wall in the Gorges du Verdon\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-7531 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ultimatefrance.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/rock-climbing-verdon-paroi-du-duc.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.ultimatefrance.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/rock-climbing-verdon-paroi-du-duc-500x334.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.ultimatefrance.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/rock-climbing-verdon-paroi-du-duc-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.ultimatefrance.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/rock-climbing-verdon-paroi-du-duc-240x160.jpg 240w, https:\/\/www.ultimatefrance.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/rock-climbing-verdon-paroi-du-duc-350x234.jpg 350w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1000px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1000\/667;\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ultimatefrance.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/rock-climbing-verdon-paroi-du-duc.jpg\" alt=\"Rock climbing S\u00e9rie Limit\u00e9e on the Paroi du Duc wall in the Gorges du Verdon\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-7531\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ultimatefrance.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/rock-climbing-verdon-paroi-du-duc.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.ultimatefrance.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/rock-climbing-verdon-paroi-du-duc-500x334.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.ultimatefrance.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/rock-climbing-verdon-paroi-du-duc-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.ultimatefrance.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/rock-climbing-verdon-paroi-du-duc-240x160.jpg 240w, https:\/\/www.ultimatefrance.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/rock-climbing-verdon-paroi-du-duc-350x234.jpg 350w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/noscript><\/a><br \/>\n<em>Classic crack climbing on S\u00e9rie Limit\u00e9e on the Paroi du Duc wall | \u00a9 Tim Dorl\u00f6chter<\/em><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Climbers Jonathan Siegrist and Nina Caprez take on some of the toughest single pitch climbs in the Verdon<\/h2>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/63611753?app_id=122963\" width=\"729\" height=\"410\" frameborder=\"0\" title=\"Viva La Vie\" webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<!-- AddThis Advanced Settings generic via filter on the_content --><!-- AddThis Share Buttons generic via filter on the_content -->","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<div class=\"locationimage\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" title=\"Rock Climbing in the South of France\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.ultimatefrance.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/rock-climbing-south-of-france-730x230.jpg\" alt=\"Rock climbing in the South of France\" width=\"730\" height=\"230\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" class=\"lazyload\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 730px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 730\/230;\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" title=\"Rock Climbing in the South of France\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ultimatefrance.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/rock-climbing-south-of-france-730x230.jpg\" alt=\"Rock climbing in the South of France\" width=\"730\" height=\"230\" \/><\/noscript><\/p>\n<h2>The best Rock Climbing in the Gorges du Verdon<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<p>The Gorges du Verdon is often called Europe&#8217;s Grand Canyon, but in the climbing world it&#8217;s more like Europe&#8217;s Yosemite Valley. There&#8217;s enough climbing for 10 lifetimes. 350 m of beautiful bullet-blue limestone once considered too high and featureless to be climbable now has 1500 recognised routes, including some of the world&#8217;s best hard multi-pitch routes. Some of these routes can only be accessed by abseiling into them and setting up hanging belays. Other single pitch sports routes are a lot less committing and can be accessed from the valley floor. The scale of the place renders the atmosphere intimidating for Verdon newbies, but as a consolation, the variety and quality of the rock is superb with tufas, crimps, chimneys and perfect limestone pockets.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>The big wall climbing in Verdon is far more committing and involved than a lot of other places in the world because you do have to approach from the top of the cliff and rappel down and pull your ropes. And then you&#8217;re just down there dangling in space, and the only way out is to climb out.<br \/>\n<strong>Emily Harrington<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<hr \/>\n<h3>Book a Rock Climbing Trip in the Gorges du Verdon<\/h3>\n<p>Our rock climbing partners offer full-day and half-day climbing trips and cater to all abilities and group sizes. Rock climbing is an extreme sport which takes place in magnificent mountain terrain in remote locations. Take a guide, you&#8217;ll be safer and you&#8217;ll have a lot more fun.<\/p>\n[sabai-directory-listings category=rock-climbing featured_only=1 address=castellane,france distance=100 hide_nav=1]\n<hr \/>\n<h2>The Gorges du Verdon &#8211; The Birthplace of Sport Climbing<\/h2>\n<p>The Verdon is the setting for some of the most ground-breaking and incredible ascents from the earliest days of sport climbing.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"\/\/assets.nationalgeographic.com\/modules-video\/assets\/ngsEmbeddedVideo.html?guid=0000014e-b78c-dd38-ab4e-ff8dc70d0001&amp;t=41\" width=\"730\" height=\"416\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" seamless=\"seamless\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<div class=\"practicalfull\">\n<h2>L&#8217;Escal\u00e8s<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>Rock:<\/strong> Limestone. <strong>Max height:<\/strong> 350 m. <strong>Grade:<\/strong> French 5c to 8c. <strong>Number of routes:<\/strong> 300.<br \/>\n<strong>Lat long:<\/strong> 43.772360, 6.380829<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ultimatefrance.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/rock-climbing-verdon-escales-2.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.ultimatefrance.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/rock-climbing-verdon-escales-2.jpg\" alt=\"Rock climbing on l'Escal\u00e8s in the Gorges du Verdon\" title=\"Rock climbing on l'Escal\u00e8s in the Gorges du Verdon\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-8415 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ultimatefrance.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/rock-climbing-verdon-escales-2.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.ultimatefrance.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/rock-climbing-verdon-escales-2-500x334.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.ultimatefrance.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/rock-climbing-verdon-escales-2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.ultimatefrance.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/rock-climbing-verdon-escales-2-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.ultimatefrance.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/rock-climbing-verdon-escales-2-240x160.jpg 240w, https:\/\/www.ultimatefrance.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/rock-climbing-verdon-escales-2-350x234.jpg 350w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1000px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1000\/667;\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ultimatefrance.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/rock-climbing-verdon-escales-2.jpg\" alt=\"Rock climbing on l'Escal\u00e8s in the Gorges du Verdon\" title=\"Rock climbing on l'Escal\u00e8s in the Gorges du Verdon\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-8415\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ultimatefrance.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/rock-climbing-verdon-escales-2.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.ultimatefrance.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/rock-climbing-verdon-escales-2-500x334.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.ultimatefrance.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/rock-climbing-verdon-escales-2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.ultimatefrance.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/rock-climbing-verdon-escales-2-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.ultimatefrance.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/rock-climbing-verdon-escales-2-240x160.jpg 240w, https:\/\/www.ultimatefrance.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/rock-climbing-verdon-escales-2-350x234.jpg 350w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/noscript><\/a><br \/>\n<em>Big exposure at l&#8217;Escales in the Gorges du Verdon | \u00a9 Flickr &#8211; ADT 04<\/em><\/p>\n<p>L&#8217;Escal\u00e8s is the largest of the climbing areas in the Gorges du Verdon. The 350 m cliff has over 300 single-pitch and multi-pitch routes from 5c to 8c (French grade). L&#8217;Escal\u00e8s is famous for its highly committing multi-pitch routes that you must abseil into before pulling the ropes and climbing out from a ledge or a hanging belay.<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s not all like that though. Big routes like La Demande and ULA can be accessed on foot from the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ultimatefrance.com\/hiking\/south-france\/gorges-du-verdon\">Sentier Blanc-Martel<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Gear wise you&#8217;ll need double 60 m ropes and 18 or so quickdraws<\/strong>, and although the routes are bolted it&#8217;s a good idea to bring a small trad rack. It&#8217;s also worth noting that on some of the older big wall routes the bolts are well spaced out. Verdon veteran Alan Carne recommends having one or two skyhooks in your arsenal to help bridge the gap through harder sections.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3>La Demande &#8211; 6a<\/h3>\n<p>La Demande is one of Verdon&#8217;s legendary climbs. At 375 metres it&#8217;s the longest climb in the Gorges and was one of the first routes up the famed north rim. In that respect, the climb is symbolic of an era and the crack climbing is more Alpine expedition than Verdon sport climbing.<\/p>\n<p>The final 3 pitches on the upper chimneys have a fearsome reputation, but with more fixed protection added over the years, they&#8217;re not as formidable as they once were. Despite this, it&#8217;s a good idea to bring a small trad rack with nuts and cams from 0.5 to 2&#8243;. With 11 pitches from 5c to 6a+, La Demande is a long climb which will take the average team about 6 hours to complete.<\/p>\n<p>To access the route you have two options: You can either abseil down the Dalles Grises or access on foot via the Sentier Blanc-Martel.<\/p>\n<p>Other legendary Escal\u00e8s routes include, D\u00e9rob\u00e9e 6a, Dingomaniaque 6c, Frime et Ch\u00e2timent 6c, and Surveiller et Punir 7a.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<div class=\"practicalfull\">\n<h2>La Paroi du Duc<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>Rock:<\/strong> Limestone. <strong>Max height:<\/strong> 350 m. <strong>Grade:<\/strong> French 5c to 8c. <strong>Number of routes:<\/strong> 300.<br \/>\n<strong>Lat long:<\/strong> 43.772360, 6.380829<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ultimatefrance.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/rock-climbing-verdon-paroi-du-duc.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.ultimatefrance.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/rock-climbing-verdon-paroi-du-duc.jpg\" alt=\"Rock climbing S\u00e9rie Limit\u00e9e on the Paroi du Duc wall in the Gorges du Verdon\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-7531 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ultimatefrance.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/rock-climbing-verdon-paroi-du-duc.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.ultimatefrance.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/rock-climbing-verdon-paroi-du-duc-500x334.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.ultimatefrance.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/rock-climbing-verdon-paroi-du-duc-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.ultimatefrance.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/rock-climbing-verdon-paroi-du-duc-240x160.jpg 240w, https:\/\/www.ultimatefrance.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/rock-climbing-verdon-paroi-du-duc-350x234.jpg 350w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1000px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1000\/667;\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ultimatefrance.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/rock-climbing-verdon-paroi-du-duc.jpg\" alt=\"Rock climbing S\u00e9rie Limit\u00e9e on the Paroi du Duc wall in the Gorges du Verdon\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-7531\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ultimatefrance.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/rock-climbing-verdon-paroi-du-duc.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.ultimatefrance.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/rock-climbing-verdon-paroi-du-duc-500x334.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.ultimatefrance.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/rock-climbing-verdon-paroi-du-duc-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.ultimatefrance.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/rock-climbing-verdon-paroi-du-duc-240x160.jpg 240w, https:\/\/www.ultimatefrance.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/rock-climbing-verdon-paroi-du-duc-350x234.jpg 350w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/noscript><\/a><br \/>\n<em>Classic crack climbing on S\u00e9rie Limit\u00e9e on the Paroi du Duc wall | \u00a9 Tim Dorl\u00f6chter<\/em><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Climbers Jonathan Siegrist and Nina Caprez take on some of the toughest single pitch climbs in the Verdon<\/h2>\n<p>[embed width=\"730\" height=\"410\"]https:\/\/vimeo.com\/63611753[\/embed]<!-- AddThis Advanced Settings generic via filter on get_the_excerpt --><!-- AddThis Share Buttons generic via filter on get_the_excerpt --><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":5413,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v23.7 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Rock Climbing in the Gorges du Verdon \u2022\u00a0Ultimate France<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"A guide to rock climbing in the Gorges du Verdon including legendary big wall climbs and single pitch sports routes. 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