Vercors Tour in 5 Days

Day 1 – To the Pas de l'Aiguille

Meeting point is at 2pm at the car park above Hôtel du Gai Soleil. For participants arriving by train, carpooling is organised from Clelles-Mens station at 1:30pm.

From the hamlet of La Richardière, the trail first crosses hay meadows before climbing steadily into mountain forest. As you come out of the trees, the final switchbacks offer as many viewpoints as striking passages. At the top, everything changes: you leave the mineral landscape behind for a green sanctuary perched atop the cliffs, the Pas de l'Aiguille.

This alpine pasture houses the first refuge of the trek, a rustic but authentic accommodation. The site carries the memory of the French Resistance with its memorial, offering an opportunity to delve into the history of WWII and the Vercors maquis fighters.

The accommodation is a private unmanned refuge with dormitory, dry toilets and abundant spring water. The refuge is stocked (on foot) before the trek to avoid carrying food supplies.

• Distance: 5km
• Elevation: +650m
• Accommodation: Refuge (dormitory, dry toilets, spring water)

Day 2 – The Nordic Atmosphere of the High Plateaus

Heading southwest to discover a unique setting: the Nordic atmosphere of the Vercors High Plateaus. Mountain pines, sinkholes, rolling hills and limestone pavement create a landscape reminiscent of Lapland. After an off-trail traverse to Col du Pinson, the route joins the famous GR91 – Vercors Traverse on one of its most beautiful sections.

The gradual descent drops into a deep, enclosed canyon (steep scree, forest trail) before opening onto the Archiane cirque. This 12-kilometre stage (+100m/-950m elevation) ends at the foot of high cliffs where the Bearded Vulture and the Griffon Vulture nest. The Archiane guesthouse marks the return of amenities: hot water, electricity and half-board meals prepared by the local guesthouse team, generous, simple family cooking that favours local and/or organic produce.

• Distance: 12km
• Elevation: +100m / -950m
• Accommodation: Guesthouse (dormitory, hot showers, facilities)
• Sporty variant: via Pré Peyret – 18km / +300m / -1,200m

Day 3 – Balconies and Panoramas to Combeau Valley

Heading east for a gentle climb through forest up to the forgotten hamlet of Tussac. The alpine pasture traverse, along a balcony, opens up wide views: Rocher de Combeau on one side, the cliffs of the cirque d'Archiane on the other, where griffon vultures soar. The surrounding slopes are also ibex territory.

The route continues across the Hauts-Plateaux before dropping down one of the discreet passages that lead to the vallon de Combeau. This 15-kilometre stage (+950m/-500m) takes you from the vast open plateaus down to a green, pastoral valley, where you spend the night in a guesthouse.

• Distance: 15km
• Elevation: +950m / -500m
• Accommodation: Guesthouse (dormitory of 4 to 6 people)

Day 4 – Ridgelines and 360° Panorama from Tête Chevalière

Return towards the Pas de l'Aiguille via a route that follows a non-vertiginous ridgeline. The summit of Tête Chevalière (1,951m) opens onto a 360° panorama: Dévoluy, Écrins, Grenoble, Chartreuse and even Mont Blanc on clear days.

This fourth stage of 13 kilometres (+750m/-500m) asks for measured physical effort, with viewpoints all along the way. Returning to the private refuge at the Pas de l'Aiguille lets you rediscover the atmosphere of the High Plateaus for one more night, at one of the most appreciated spots in the Vercors.

• Distance: 13km
• Elevation: +750m/-500m
• Accommodation: Refuge (dormitory, dry toilets, spring water) – private unmanned refuge, stocked beforehand so you don't need to carry food

Day 5 – At the Foot of Grand Veymont

To finish off this Vercors tour, walkers have two options. The first crosses part of the High Plateaus northward via the plaine de la Queyrie before coming out onto the plateau du Grand Veymont, beneath the massif's highest point. Along the way, a hidden edelweiss station is a lovely spot to pause.

The second follows the cliffs and combines Nordic atmospheres with viewpoints, notably over Mont Aiguille.

Both routes are great for wildlife watching: ptarmigan, black grouse, ibex, chamois, eagles, vultures, marmots and wallcreepers populate these preserved spaces. Your guide's keen eye will help you spot the animals that blend into the landscape.

Finally, the Pas de la Selle marks the start of the descent. It leads through typical mountain forest, arriving mid-afternoon at La Richardière, the starting point of the first day. The first part of the descent can feel a little exposed (scree, an airy passage): your guide stands at the key spots to support anyone who might feel uneasy on this section.

Carpooling can be organised to Clelles station around 4:30pm for those who came by train, allowing connections to Grenoble or Gap before continuing by TGV to more urban destinations.

Those who'd like to enjoy an extra night in the heart of a mountain village are welcome to book one of the places to stay in Chichilianne, such as the Hôtel du Gai Soleil and its wellness area with spa and sauna.

• Distance: 12km
• Elevation: +350m/-950m