# Route des Crêtes, the loop of viewpoints over the Grand Canyon from La Palud

Scenic road · 22–24 km · 1 h 30 – 3 h · 14 viewpoints · Free · Closed from late November to late March

Fuente: https://www.geocalia.com/en/france/provence-alpes-cote-dazur/verdon-gorge/things-to-do/route-des-cretes · Revisado: 2026-11-12

Dónde: Gorges du Verdon

### What it is

The Route des Crêtes is the D23, a mountain road that leaves La Palud-sur-Verdon, climbs to the north rim of the Grand Canyon and returns to the village in a loop. Along the way there are fourteen viewpoints, each with a small lay-by for the car: Trescaïre, the Pas de Baou, Glacières, Maugué, l'Imbut, Carelle, l'Escalès, the Dent d'Aire, Guègues and others. At each one you lean over a drop of hundreds of metres with the green river at the bottom. It is the easiest way to see the Verdon from above, and the one that best explains its scale.

The road climbs from 743 to 1,323 m in altitude. It is narrow, with steep gradients and stretches with barely a parapet: drive slowly and stop only in the lay-bys.

### Direction and the one-way section

It is driven clockwise, as the signs in the village indicate. The start is on the D23, about 800 m from La Palud in the direction of Rougon. The section between the Jas d'Aire and the Chalet de la Maline is one-way, for bikes too; so if you start the wrong way round, you have to turn back.

Allow an hour and a half by car unhurried and up to three hours if you stop at every viewpoint. Go in the late afternoon: with the low sun, the walls turn orange and it is easy to see vultures gliding at road level. By bike, with or without a motor, it is a demanding but much-sought-after outing.

### Dates and limits

The one-way section closes in winter, from the fourth Friday in November to the fourth Friday in March: this season, from 22 November 2026 to 26 March 2027. The two ends, with viewpoints such as Trescaïre, Carelle or the Dent d'Aire, and the Chalet de la Maline remain accessible all year. Vehicles over 3.6 m high do not fit along the sides of the carriageway; large motorhomes should stick to the ends only. It is free.

## Paso a paso

### Start · La Palud-sur-Verdon
Along the D23 towards Rougon, following the circuit signs.

### First part · Viewpoints over the upper canyon
Stop at every lay-by: they are short walks to the edge.

### Halfway · Chalet de la Maline
Start of the Blanc-Martel trail and the one-way section.

### Finish · Back to La Palud
Between an hour and a half and three hours after setting out.

## Consejos

### Go in the late afternoon
The low light and the vultures are the best of the route.

### Fill the tank before you set out
There are few services between the canyon villages.

### Stop only in the lay-bys
The carriageway is narrow, with no hard shoulder.

## Preguntas frecuentes

### How long does the Route des Crêtes take?
From an hour and a half to three hours, depending on how much you stop.

### Which way do you drive it?
Clockwise, from La Palud. The Jas d'Aire – Maline section is one-way.

### Is it open in winter?
Only the ends. The central section closes from 22 November 2026 to 26 March 2027.

### Can a motorhome get through?
If it is under 3.6 m high, yes, but the road is narrow and exposed.