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France D23 • D952 Difficulty: 8/10

Gorges du Verdon & Route des Crêtes (D23 Canyon Rim)

Europe's Grand Canyon. The Route des Crêtes loops along the dizzying 2,300-foot vertical limestone precipice of the Verdon Gorge above the turquoise Verdon River. Giant griffon vultures soar at eye level past viewing balconies.

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Distance
Distance
32 mi
51 km total run
Turns
Turns
160
5.0 turns per mile
Summit
Summit
4,280 ft
Belvédère de l'Escalès
Surface
Surface
Paved (Cliff-Edge Canyon Rim)
Difficulty: 8/10
3D Vector Trajectory
CARTO Dark Matter GL
Start: La Palud-sur-Verdon, Provence, France End: Castellane / Lake of Sainte-Croix, France
Elevation Profile 1,560 – 4,280 ft
SUMMIT 4,280 FT
Belvédère de l'Escalès
Apex Density Index 5.0 curves / mi
Scenic Sweeper Technical Switchback
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Nearby Staging
BMW Motorrad Nice (Moto Sud 39) ~43 mi
Nice, France • +33 4 92 27 39 39
Route des Grandes Alpes Southern Terminus | Mediterranean Expedition Hub | BMW Diagnostic Experts | Tire Staging
Brands: BMW Motorrad
Dafy Moto Grenoble (Saint-Martin-d'Hères) ~101 mi
Grenoble, France • +33 4 76 42 12 12
Vercors & Galibier Foothill Base | Quick-Fit Tire Center | Emergency Chain/Sprocket Kits | Oil Express
Brands: Ducati, BMW Motorrad, Yamaha, Honda, KTM
Lodge

Rider-Friendly Lodging

Covered Parking
Jordan Pond House ~3568 mi
Bar Harbor, ME

A storied Acadia National Park tradition dating back to the 1890s. Sitting on the gentle lawn overlooking the crystal-clear glacial waters of Jordan Pond, framed symmetrically by the twin glacial peaks of the North and South Bubbles mountains.

Cue

Tank-Bag Quick Reference Sheet

Start Point La Palud-sur-Verdon, Provence, France 43.7800, 6.3400
Summit / High Point Belvédère de l'Escalès 4,280 FT Summit
End Destination Castellane / Lake of Sainte-Croix, France 43.8467, 6.5133
T-CLOCS Pre-Ride: Tires & Wheels Controls & Cables Lights & Electric Oil & Fluids Chassis & Stand
DUNLOP
Official Tire Partner: Grip for Mountain Passes
Dunlop Roadsmart IV and Trailmax Mission provide maximum wet/dry confidence on mountain switchbacks.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How many curves and miles is Gorges du Verdon & Route des Crêtes (D23 Canyon Rim)?

Gorges du Verdon & Route des Crêtes (D23 Canyon Rim) spans 32 miles and packs approximately 160 curves (5.0 curves per mile) with an elevation delta of 1,560 ft - 4,280 ft (Belvédère de l'Escalès) and technical rating 8/10.

Where are the start and end coordinates?

The route starts at La Palud-sur-Verdon, Provence, France (Latitude 43.78, Longitude 6.34) and finishes at Castellane / Lake of Sainte-Croix, France (Latitude 43.8467, Longitude 6.5133).

How can I download the GPX file for GPS navigation?

Click the "Download Free GPX" button on this guide. The standard XML file is 100% free and ready to load into Garmin zūmo, BMW Motorrad Connected, Rever, Scenic, or Google Maps.

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