- At a glance
- Vercors & Walks
- Accommodation & Meals
- Travel options
- Photos
Your Holiday at a Glance
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| Dates for 2008 |
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| Highlights |
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| Accommodation and Meals |
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Vercors - Jewel in the Alps
The Vercors is a magical place where gleaming vertical cliffs meet wild and desolate plateaux. Designated a Regional Park, the area is made up of large valleys, limestone plateaux, deep gorges and gigantic cliffs several hundred metres high. The main summits are to be found on the eastern fringe of the range where the Grand Veymont reaches 2 341 metres in height.
The south-eastern corner of the Vercors, the Trièves, is known affectionately as the French Dolomites. The centre piece of this amazing area is without doubt the Mont Aiguille, an awesome rock tower cast off from the main cliffs. In addition the Vercors is home to a host of natural wonders including extraordinary caves, underground glaciers, fantastic waterfalls, rock arches, and a natural well 120m deep. Set amongst this are a number of remarkable villages, including Pont-en-Royans in the Bourne Gorge where historic houses perch perilously on rocky outcrops suspended over the river.
The Vercors is a haven for wildlife with deer, wild boar, hares, chamois, marmottes and the famous alpine Bouquetin roaming the upland slopes. As for the flora there are 80 protected species represented.
Find out more about the Vercors
WalksFor the most part, the walks on this holiday are Moderate/challenging in grade. However, the tour of the Grand Veymont is a particularly long day for the grade. In addition, the nature of the landscapes means that many of the walks necessitate a good head for heights. The paths are good though often rugged and on mountainous terrain. |
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Day 1: ArrivalWelcome at Lyon Airport and drive into western Vercors via spectacular scenery Day 2: The Bourne GorgeA gentle introduction to the week with an exploration of the Bourne gorge, with some fine examples of Vercors scenery. A circular walk under the Presles cliffs will also allow us visit to the remarkable Choranche Caves. There will also be time to walk to the Gournier falls and stone arch on the opposite side of the gorge and to visit the village of Pont-en-Royans. Day 3: Pic St-Michel or the Tour of the GerbierThe first of our bigger challenges is presented by the peaks fringing the north east corner of the Vercors. The choice of walk will depend on the weather and experience of the group. Both walks start from near Villard de Lans and reach just over 1900m in altitude. Whatever trail is chosen the landscapes are impressive and the views across the Alps stunning. Time permitting we will visit the natural well at Malaterre Day 4: Grand Veymont - 2 341mThis is a classic and challenging day that takes in the highest summit in the range. It is also a spectacular insight into the vertical world of the Vercors. By completing a circular walk we will get to see the full range of stunning faces and ridges that make up the mountain, as well as its varied and important wildlife. We also get our first impressive views of the Mont Aiguille. 1250m of ascent that is worth every step. Day 5: The valleys, cirques and gorges of GlandasseA partial rest day will allow us to recharge our batteries, whilst exploring the remarkable Combau Valley and the Cirque d’Archianne where the scale of the faces will leave you feeling very small. Later you will have some free time in the historic town of Chatillon-en-Diois. Day 6: The Vercors High PlateauAlthough this walk is only a few miles South of day 4, it presents a new range of landscapes and emotions. First we ascend the impressive gorge that leads to the Pas de l’Aiguille, where there is a poignant memorial to the soldiers who lost their lives at this remote spot. Next, we traverse a real wilderness. The desolate high plateau is a chaotic maze of limestone blocks that stretch to the horizon. To finish, we descend to the col just west of the Mont Aiguille to admire its beauty close up. Day 7: Le JocouSet just apart to the south east, this gentler summit, at 2051m, allows us to admire the mountains of the Devoluy to the east and the rock faces of the Vercors to the west. Depending on how the group is faring there are a number of possible circular trails to attain its summit. Day 8: Font d’UrleOur final day has two possible starts that lead onto the open pasture of the Ambel Plateau and its rounded summit, the Tete de la Dame. Next we traverse a cirque edge allowing great views across its meandering cliffs. On the plateau at Font d’Urle we will explore some of the strange features associated with the Vercors Karstic plateau including a series of hollows and wells, and, for the more intrepid, an underground glacier! Day 9: DepartureReturn to Lyon and transfer from France to the UK |
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Please Note: Further information about the walks will be sent to you prior to your holiday. We will endeavour to keep to these walks as far as possible; however they are subject to change. In addition, we like to maintain a certain degree of flexibility to take account of the group’s abilities and interests, and the local conditions. The final selection of walks will be made by your guide during the week after consultation with the group.
Accommodation & Meals
We will be using at least three traditional Vercors guest houses during the course of your holiday. They are exquisite properties offering authentic and very comfortable accommodation. The exact guest houses used will depend on availability. Below is a representative selection of the ones we use.
A hearty and healthy continental breakfast provides the perfect opportunity to discover the local specialities such as home-made jams and local cheeses. At midday we will eat packed lunches prepared by our hosts and they will be eaten during the course of the walk. All evening meals will be taken at your guest house and will embrace the fine selection of local specialities from the Vercors such as the mouth-watering Beef filet in mushroom and cheese gratin.
| Name | Type | Details | Rating | |
| Ferme de la Source | B&B | Historic farmhouse dating from the 19th century. Overlooks a quiet valley in the southern Vercors planted with pine, vines and lavanda. | 3 Corns |  |
| Le Cholet | B&B | Magnificent château built in the 19th century, set in 10 hectares of greenery near to the Bourne Gorge | 3 Corns |  |
| A la Crecia | B&B | A 16th century farm that has been authentically restored to retain its wooden features. Rural location in the northern plateau. | 3 Corns |  |
| La Ferme de Ruthieres | B&B | Historic farm located in a hamlet in the shadow of the Mont Aiguille. Vaulted living room. | 3 Corns |  |
Travel Options
Flight Options
Transfers from Lyon airport
Easy jet: London Stanstead – Lyon
Practical Flight
Going - Departure: 13.30 – arrive; 16.15
Return - Departure: 16.40 – arrive; 17.20
Bmi: Manchester – Lyon
Practical Flight
Going - Departure: 10.25 – arrive; 13.20
Return - Departure: 13.50 – arrive; 14.45
British Airways: London Heathrow - Lyon
Practical Flight
Going - Departure: 08.40 – arrive; 11.15
Return - Departure: 19.20 – arrive; 19.55
Please note – This information is correct at the time of publication. High Point Holidays cannot be held responsible for any change in schedules made by the above operators. Please check concerning the availability of a holiday before booking any flights. In addition, we can only guarantee transfers from the practical flights listed above. If you need further information or would like to discuss any aspect of your travel arrangements, please contact us, we’re here to help you.
By Train
Eurostar and the TGV enable a quick and relaxing journey from London to Lyon.
Transfers from Lyon St Exupery and Lyon Part Dieu.
www.raileurope.co.uk
www.eurostar.com
By Car
Once in France, the journey from Calais to the Lyon area takes about 7-8 hours (excluding long breaks). Tolls amount to about 30 euros each way. Controlled parking is available at the airport for 50 euros. Channel crossings are provided by the following companies.
www.norfolkline-ferries.co.uk/
For general information on routes and bookings see. www.ferrysavers.co.uk/
Photos
