Panoramic Vercors

Vercors

The Vercors is a magical destination for a self-guided walking holiday, where gleaming vertical cliffs meet wild and desolate plateaux. Designated a French Regional Park, the Vercors in the French Alps is made up of large valleys, limestone plateaux, deep gorges and gigantic cliffs several hundred metres high. The main mountain summits are to be found on the eastern fringe of the range where the Grand Veymont reaches 2341 metres in height. Your 5 or 7 day walking trail traverses the Vercors, following these summits in the most scenic part of the Vercors. These summits give rise to some exciting trails and some amazing panoramic views of the alpine mountains. One of the most cherished views is that of Mont Aiguille, an awesome rock tower cast off from the main cliffs. In places, the walking paths follow what are known as balcony trails as they cut across the steep mountain sides offering great views all the way.

In addition, the mountains of the Vercors are home to a host of natural and man made wonders including extraordinary caves and waterfalls, natural wells and awesome gorges. In addition, the Vercors played an important part in the history of the French Resistance. Many of the villages and mountain passes saw bloody combat and loss of life, and today a number of memorials help to remember the war-time events.

The Vercors is a haven for wildlife with deer, wild boar, hares, chamois, marmottes and the famous alpine ibex (Bouquetin) roaming the upland slopes. As for the flora there are 80 protected species represented on these alpine crags and mountains.

More about the Vercors Regional Park and Nature Reserve

Accommodation & Meals

You’ll stay in a couple of charming 3 star hotels, a couple of delightful small guest houses and one 2 star hotel in Richardière. Full board accommodation.

Navigation, Walking Notes & Maps

The vast majority of this walking holiday follows local warmarked trails with a variety of coloured markings. There are also a number of signposts along the trail. The last day of the walking holiday follows the GR93 (Grande Randonnee) long distance trail which is well way-marked with red and white markings. The walking follows clear paths most of the time. Some small sections follow u nmarked trails on the plateau where cairns help to show the direction. Some sections of the summits have fainter trails where you follow geographic features as much as anything else. Our walking notes are detailed (more information here). They also include information about the sites which can be explored along the route. We supply one walking guide per person on this holiday. As well as the detailed walking notes we supply walking maps. You’ll be provided with detailed 1:25,000 walking maps.

Luggage Transfers

On this walking holiday you can choose to have your main luggage transferred between accommodation so you only have to carry a day rucksack with picnic lunch (supplied by the guest houses and included in the holiday price), water and spare clothes, waterproofs, camera etc. On this holiday a local taxi company is responsible for transporting your main luggage. The contact details for the taxis are included in your walking notes. Please limit the weight of your bags where possible to 15-20kg.

Travel Info

Short transfer from Monestier de Clermont train station to your hotel included in holiday price. Transfer to Lus-la-Croix-Haute train station at end of walking holiday included in holiday price. (on same train line as Monestier.)

Train:

London St Pancras to Lyon Part Dieu direct and changing at Paris or Lille. The journey takes about 6 hours. TER local trains run regularly to Grenoble. Occasionally TGV trains run direct to Grenoble. At Grenoble take a local TER train towards Veynes or Gap and alight at Monestier de Clermont.

Flights:

The airlines Easy jet, Flybe and British Airways have scheduled flights from the UK – Luton, Gatwick, Birmingham, Edinburgh and Heathrow – to Lyon St Exupery airport. Limited number of direct TGV trains from the airport to Grenoble. Otherwise shuttle bus or tram to Lyon Part Dieu station and TER train to Grenoble. See above for trains to Monestier de Clermont