The irresistible adventure> Superlatives
Day 3: On the vertiginous ridges
alt_route Stage 1 / Option 1 - Route des crêtes
The route des crêtes offers a very strong feeling of emptiness with its unforgettable view of the canyon of the Verdon gorges. Nearly 50 km long with cliffs reaching in places 700 m deep, it is the highest canyon in Europe! Taking this 24 km panoramic road takes you through a circuit offering 14 Belvederes. Some are easily accessible, such as the Carelle and Dent d'Aire belvederes, which reveal the mythical cliffs of the Verdon.
From these unforgettable points of view, one can also observe the vultures which rub shoulders with the climbers clinging to the cliffs.
Take part in an observation discovery excursion with Verdon Tourism
The Route des Crêtes is done by car, motorbike or ideally by bike, with or without electric assistance according to your abilities.
A portion of the road is one way. To complete the circuit, take direction Castellane and 1 km to the right. Binoculars recommended for viewing vultures.
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The vultures
Vultures are known to be scavenging birds: they only eat corpses. The griffon vulture's long neck is covered with small, very fine and short white feathers which are protected by a ruff of feathers that are longer and brown in the young, white in the adults. Thus, they do not get dirty when they eat! Their talons are not suitable for capturing or carrying prey, but for carrying it when they move on the ground, while walking or in small jumps.
In the past, vultures were present in the Massif Central and the Massifs of the Mediterranean hinterland, following an arc connecting Spain to Italy. It was only after the success of their reintroduction in the 1980s in the Causses of Aveyron and Lozère, that the experience was extended to the Southern Alps, including the Gorges du Verdon. In 2018, the vulture colony included around 500 individuals and 200 breeding pairs. Its home range covers approximately 10 km².