Summits of Vercors and Hauts Plateaux | Experience Nature

into the
Vercors
wilderness

In the largest reserve in mainland France, omnipresent wildlife, isolated shepherd's huts and a Far North atmosphere: a stay in the Vercors is a real journey!

Level : AVERAGE (cliquez pour lire la description des niveaux de difficulté)

Accomodation : BIVOUAC and HUT

Who ? : REGULAR HIKERS

Isolated Trek

To sleep in the Vercors Highlands Reserve, we will use the tent and the sheepfolds open to the public upon reservation. We will therefore be able to enjoy both the starry night on the first evening and the comfort of an alpine chalet on the second day. We will cook our own delicious bivouac meals on the stove.

3 days loop

We'll immerse ourselves in the magnificent atmosphere of the Southern Vercors for three days and two nights. A weekend micro-adventure to escape and peacefully enjoy the wildlife and landscapes. Photographers, don't forget your gear! The loop route will allow us to return to our starting point without a shuttle.

The most beautiful peaks of the Vercors

The highest peak in the Vercors, the Grand Veymont, will be our beautiful destination for this three-day trip. It overlooks both the Hauts-Plateaux nature reserve and the agricultural region of Trièves, an exceptional viewpoint accessible by an alpine route but without technical difficulties. We will sleep facing Mont Aiguille, the peak with its characteristic silhouette that was the scene of the beginnings of mountaineering in 1492.

Accessible by carpooling

Close to Grenoble and its amenities, you can reach the starting point in the foothills of the Vercors by carpooling from Grenoble train station. There are lodges, campsites, and guesthouses to accommodate you the day before your departure or on your return. You can enjoy an extra night in the traditional villages at the foot of the Vercors limestone fortress. With a little luck, you might stumble upon a farmers' market!

Example of a 3-day self-guided loop in the Hauts-Plateaux du Vercors Nature Reserve

Day 1: 14km - 1,300m ascent and 500m descent

We'll climb through the forested foothills to the "Pas de la Ville," where we'll enter the reserve. From the pass, we'll discover the typical landscapes of the Hauts-Plateaux, skirting the Grand Veymont to the Aiguillettes hut.

There, we'll spend the night in a tent (or in the rustic hut, if there's space). The nearest spring is a 10-minute walk away; it's the price of an isolated bivouac at the foot of the majestic Veymont (but I'll fetch water in a large pouch for meals and hygiene!).

Day 2: 12km - 600m ascent and 850m descent

We'll leave our heavy bags at the hut and, carrying light, head for the summit of the Grand Veymont. While never difficult, the ascent is steep and conducive to observing herds of ibex and perhaps the ever-elusive Rock Ptarmigan. We'll have a picnic back at the hut and take the path to the Chaumailloux sheepfold, passing by the historic site of the Roman quarries of La Queyrie and its legendary hanging tree.

Day 3: 11km - 400m ascent and 950m descent

To reach the "Pas de la Selle," we'll take a wild trail that runs along the eastern cliffs of the plateau. This is a great opportunity to enjoy the panoramic view of the Ecrins and the Dévoluy in the distance. Then we'll descend to the foot of Mont Aiguille, the first mountaineering summit in 1492! From there, we'll reach the lush valley that will lead us back to the parking lot.