MYSTERIES OF THE VERCORS self-guided

Hiking details
7 Days 7 Days
Self-guided Self-guided
With baggage transportation With baggage transportation
Accommodation Classic or comfort
Level **** Level ****
From 540 € From 540 €

A Dolomites-like!

Vast altitude plateau, the Vercors Massif offers to hikers a harmonious wilderness. Climbing on the plateau is the first days' goal... A steep ascent into limestone where ibex and chamois are often visible, in the morning. Then we hike in a mix of mediterranean and dolomitic landscapes on top of the ridges, between Grand-Veymont and the Mont Aiguille, with the Ecrins Massif as background.

Here we are about to enter the Dévoluy, under the face of the Grand-Ferrand, in the classified valley of Jarjatte. The hike is now more alpine in this surprising range. Have you already heard about the Chourum?

Quick passage into the Dévoluy, because we cannot miss the Montagne de Bure, an altitude desert where giant parables are scanning our universe. Way back by the Col Aiguille, where the bearded vulture nestles... Amazing !

You will like

  • The beauty of this limestone massif with multiple reliefs similar to the Dolomites
  • The route on top of ridges, offering vast panoramas over the Alps
  • The wide plateau landscapes and Jarjatte valley
  • The simple and cosy accomodation and local produce of Trièves and Drôme regions
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MYSTERIES OF THE VERCORS self-guided

From 540 €

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Hiking details

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Dates & prices

DEPARTURE AND PRICE

Departure from the 8th June to 9th September 2024

Without luggage transport
For 2 ou 3 person : 595 per person
For 4 or 5 person : 575€ per person
For 6 person or more : 545€ per person

With luggage transport (except night 2) :
2 person minimum

For 2 ou 3 person : 900 per person
For 4 or 5 person : 745€ per person
For 6 person or more : 690€ per person

Option comfort : contact us

Option Montagne de Bure: transfers to be paid directly to the taxi or the accomodation.

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THE PRICE

The price includes

  • Organisation and booking fees;
  • Accommodation in gîtes and small hotels, including the tourist tax;
  • All meals including picnic lunches and simple snacks during the day;
  • Baggage transport between accommodation, except Day 2 if you chose the option;
  • Your return journey from home to the point of departure/end point..

The price does not include:

  • Personal expenses (drinks, etc.), touristic visits;
  • Pic-nics
  • Airport taxes; 
  • Travel insurance;
  • Your return journey from home to the point of departure/end point.

The price is all inclusive from departure to end point.

The itinerary day by day

Day 1

Departure at Gresse-en-Vercors.

VERCORS PLATEAU - PAS DE LA VILLE - MONT AIGUILLE
Climb up to the Pas de la Ville (1925m) entering the Vercors plateau. Traverse under the Grand-Veymont summit (2341m) and into the vast expanse of this high plateau. Passing via the Aiguillettes hut, Pas de la Selle, then the Aupet pass at the foot of the elegant Mont Aiguille. Descend to Chichilianne village. Night in a hotel.
6.5 hour walk / Elevation: +980m -1200m / Distance :16km
4h hour walk / Elevation : +600 m ; -700 m / Distance : 8km by the Pas de Bachassons

Day 2

PAS DE L'AIGUILLE - VALLON DE COMBAU                                                                                                     
Climb to the plateau via the Essaure pass (1714m) giving access to the heavenly Combeau valley. The hike continues on a wonderful, wild but easy path along the ridges of the southern Vercors to Combeau valley. Night in a refuge, surrounded by sheep (*without baggage).
6. hour walk / Distance : 13km / Elevation: +850 m ; -500 m
7h hour walk / Distance : 18km / Elevation:+1000 m ; -1170 m (hotel version)
 

Day 3

AROUND THE MONT JOCOU - LUS-LA-CROIX-HAUTE                                                                                   
Climb to the Jiboui pass to reach the ridge that leads us to the foot of the Jocou (2051m). Far away in the distance the Ecrins massif, the Obiou mountain and the Devoluy area shape the landscape. Griffon vultures roam... Descend into the pastures to the small village of Lus-la-Croix-Haute. Night in a gîte.
7.30 hour walk / Elevation: +900 m ; -1245 m / Distance : 23km
8 hour walk / Elevation:+1200 m ; -1000 m / Distance : 23km (hotel version)
 

Day 4

POINTE FEUILLETTE ET CRÊTES DE PAILLE                                                                                                                      
Depart from the village entering the Tranchemule valley. At the Jajene pass we have a splendid panorama over the Grand-Ferrand range (2758m). Hike to the top of the ridge before descending into and discovering the Jarjatte valley. Night in a gîte.
5.5 hour walk / Elevation: +950 m ; -750 m / Distance : 13km

Day 5

LAKE LAUZON - COL CHARNIER                                                                                                                          
Short transfer. The Jarjatte valley is a jewel kept away from massive tourism. A stunning hike under the southern foothills of the Grand-Ferrand mountain in a high-mountain atmosphere. The Charnier pass marks the entrance into the Devoluy area, the land of Chourum (natural cavities formed by the combined action of wind and rain). Descend toward the Lachau hamlet, for 2 nights in a gîte.
5.5 hour walk / Elevation: +1000 m ; -850 m / Distance : 12km

Day 6

VALLON DES AIGUILLES - LA CLUSE
Leave the gîte via the Rama mountain pastures. Climb up to the suspended Aiguilles valley at the foot of the Fontaine du Roy for a picnic on this beautiful high plain, and perhaps spot a Bearded Vulture nesting nearby. The bravest can climb up to the Col de l'Aiguille (2003m). This is followed by a beautiful traverse to the small hamlet of La Cluse, at the foot of the Sauvas valley. Overnight in a dormitory in a gîte.
6.30 walk / Elevation: +/-1150 m / Distance : 14km
1hour walk / Elevation: +/-180m  / Distance : 5km additional with the return trip to col de l'Aiguille.
 

POSSIBLE VARIANT : MONTAGNE DE BURE
A loop hike to discover the plateau of Bure (2560m) and its wild face. Transfer to the Festre pass. Climb under the Aurouze mountain and cross the plateau to the observatory and its sky scanning parables. Here we find a lunar like atmosphere! Descent via the same itinerary or by Aurouze valley through an incredible limestone scree. Transfer, back to the gîte. Both transfers have to be payed directly to the taxi.
6.5 hour walk / Elevation: +1300m /-1150 / Distance 13km ( taxi fees not included)

Day 7

COL DE PLATE CONTIER - VALLON DU RIOUFROID
One of the most confidential hikes of the week. Leave the gîte via the grassy terraces bordering the Abéou torrent. Climb to the Col de Plate Contier, and why not as far as the Pas de l'Agneau, for the view over the wild valley and the Garnesier peaks. Descend through the beautiful Chabottes forest.  Meet the taxi at the Riou Froid car park and transfer back to Lus la Croix Haute station. 
5 hour walk / Elevation: +700 -600  / Distance : 11km
+1.20 
hour walk / Elevation: +/-180m / Distance : 3km for Le pas de l'Agneau

Endpoint at the train station of Lus-la-Croix-Haute around 4:00pm and return with a taxi to Monestier-de-Clermont.

The itinerary is established according to the latest information available, the possibility of unknown factors affecting this itinerary is possible including situations beyond our control which may change the route, timings, etc.

The itinerary is established according to the latest information available, the possibility of unknown factors affecting this itinerary is possible including situations beyond our control which may change the route, timings, etc.

The trip

LEVEL ****

Elevation: +/- 900m average per day.
Walking time: 5 to 6.5 hours per day.
Type of trek: Mountain paths, often quite rocky. One to two steep passages to ascend the Montagne de Bure.
The Vercors and the Dévoluy are very wild and relatively uncrowded mountain ranges, which gives them their charm. The marking and maintenance of the paths, particularly in the south of the Vercors, remain relative, and the orientation can at times become complex. It is essential to be autonomous on the orientation in the mountains and to perfectly master the reading of topography maps at 1:25,000 to go freely on this route.

BAGGAGE TRANSPORT

With baggage transport: your baggage is transported daily except on Day 2.

YOUR BACKPACK FOR THE NIGHT WITHOUT YOUR BAGGAGE

For the night without your baggage at the accommodation (you will get it back the night after), here are the things to add to your backpack (about 2 kilos are enough!):
- small toilet bag
- sleeping bag liner sheet
- change of clothes (bare necessities!)

ACCOMMODATION

3 nights in a hotel in a room of 2 to 4 people .
3 nights in a gîte, in a dormitory.

Comfort option possible with 2 more nights in rooms (on nights 3 and 6)

MEALS

Breakfast and dinner are provided in each accommodation.
Picnics are included and are carefully prepared daily by your mountain leader, comprising a variety of healthy salads and local products.

Practical information

ACCESS TO DEPARTURE POINT

Departure at Gresse en Vercors

BY TRAIN
Paris/Grenoble/Monestier-de-Clermont / Lus La Croix Haute. You can then order a local taxi to Gresse en Vercors. 
https://www.ter.sncf.com/auvergne-rhone-alpes/se-deplacer/gares/lus-la-croix-haute-87747667

Check www.oui.sncf for schedules.
Transfer from Monestier to Gresse-en-Vercors with Altitude Mont Blanc.

BY CAR
Take the A48 motorway to Grenoble, then A51 to Sisteron, exit Monestier-de-Clermont. 

CAR-SHARING                                                                                                                               
Get in touch with people to share a lift! Here are some website recommendations:   www.blablacar.fr www.laroueverte.com www.roulezmalin.com

End point around 3:00pm in Lus-La-Croix-Haute (Train to Paris at 3:47pm) and 4:00pm in Monestier-de-Clermont.
Transfer back to Gresse en Vercors on the Trièves mini-train (18h39 / 19h31), or by taxi (approx. €80 for 1 to 4 people).

 

ACCOMMODATION BEFORE AND AFTER

Extra night in Gresse-en-Vercors: 70€ half-board basis.

PHYSICAL CONDITION

To be able to easily walk 15km (on flat trails) in 3 hours maximum.
If this is not the case, at least 3 weeks before departure, 2 to 3 times a week, we advise you to undertake some prior fitness training: 4 to 5km jogging or 3 to 4 hours hiking or cycling. Your physical preparation will enable you to enjoy your trek to the maximum.

CONTACT US

If you are late please contact the agency as soon as possible on: +33 (0)4 50 79 09 16 or +33 (0)6 42 49 76 07

Equipment & luggage

EQUIPMENT LIST

Clothing

  • Walking trousers
  • Shorts (Bikini/swimsuit, just in case!)
  • Breathable or merino wool t-shirts
  • Breathable or merino wool leggings
  • Fleece or jumper
  • Wind stopper or Goretex jacket
  • Waterproof poncho + gaiters or Goretex trousers + waterproof rucksack cover
  • Pair of gloves and a warm hat
  • Sun hat or baseball cap
  • Walking socks (1 pair per day)
  • Sturdy walking boots with a good sole, already broken in
  • 1 change of clothes for the evening
  • A pair of comfortable shoes for the evening

Other Equipment

  • Toilet bag
  • Quick drying towel
  • Sunglasses and sun cream
  • Water bottle or Camelback (1.5 litre minimum)
  • Knife, fork and spoon
  • Plastic lunch box/plate for your picnic lunches
  • Plastic cup for coffee
  • Small First Aid kit (antihistamine, ibuprofen, Compeed type blister pads...)
  • Survival blanket
  • Head torch or hand torch
  • Sleeping bag liner sheet and pillowcase (blankets provided at accommodation)
  • Two adjustable walking poles (highly recommended)
  • Identity card or passport

BACKPACK

Bring a comfortable backpack of 30 to 40 litres for your personal belongings for the day (warm clothes, waterproofs, water, plate and cutlery for your picnic, sunscreen and your identity papers) and please keep a little room to carry a picnic and snacks.

BAGGAGE TRANSPORT

Your baggage will be transported daily between accommodation by our logistics vehicle. You are allowed 1 soft, sports type bag with all your possessions inside, no heavier than 10kg. Your bag has to be carried everyday by the driver, where access is not always easy, please think of their backs! Baggage which is too big and too heavy won't be accepted by the drivers!

If you wish to prolong your holiday, we can safely hold another bag for you which you may leave with us at the departure point and it will be deposited at the end point with your other baggage.

MYSTERIES OF THE VERCORS self-guided

From 540 €
Contact us
Secure payment Secure payment

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