Couloir Samson, Canyon entrance in Rougon, France.
Couloir Samson marks the entrance to the Verdon Gorges and is defined by vertical limestone cliffs that rise directly from the blue water below. A tunnel called Baou stretches roughly 670 meters along the hiking path through this rocky landscape.
Exploration of this gorge began in 1905 when explorer Alfred-Edouard Martel led a four-day expedition through the formation. This journey marked the first documented exploration of this rocky passage.
The name Couloir Samson comes from local folklore claiming that the biblical Samson split the mountain to create this passage. Visitors can spot a roughly 35-meter stone figure in the cliff face that relates to this legend.
The Baou tunnel is dark, so visitors should bring a flashlight and expect slippery spots throughout the passage. Water puddles and wet conditions are common, making sturdy footwear advisable.
This location serves as a nesting ground for griffon vultures, which build their homes in the upper sections of the limestone walls. These large birds of prey are more visible from April through August when they are actively nesting.
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