Superb panoramic views
Magical landscapes where gleaming vertical cliffs meet wild desolate plateaux
Series of accessible mountain summits and passes
Mont Aiguille - centre piece of an area known as the French Dolomites
Rich flora and fauna
Welcoming hotels
Pick up from Monestier de Clermont train station and transfer to your guest house in Gresse en Vercors.
Choice of 3 walks. Climb the highest peak in the Vercors, Grand Veymont at 2341m for fantastic 360 degree views including Mont Aiguille just below you or undertake a traverse of the famous balcony trail under the immense cliffs of the eastern edge of the Vercors plateau.
Overnight: Gresse-en-Vercors, Walk: Up to +1150m, 16km, 6 hours
Another fantastic day which passes ravines and rock towers before climbing a superb gorge to reach Pas de Bachassons. A small traverse of the plateau before descending to cross the gap between the cliffs and Mont Aiguille - a unique and memorable walking experience. There is an easier walking trail available on this day.
Overnight: Richardiere, Walk: + 1050m, 22km 7hr
An enjoyable valley walk under giant cliffs before climbing onto the plateau – walk across the bizarre limestone plateau a chaotic landscape covered in pasture with wonderful wild flowers. Amazing views of Mont Aiguile and the Alpine summits before returning to your hotel via the village of Chichilianne.
Overnight: Richardiere, Walk: + 800m, 20km; 6hr
Climb to the Col de Papavet at 1,245m where you have spectacular views of Mont Aiguille. Afterwards you descend to the tiny hamlet of Bathie before a final climb over the Col de l'Allimas. Descend to the charming alpine village of Gresse en Vercors which lies at the foot of incredible rocks walls plunging from the Grand Veymont.
Option of additional nights at Gresse en Vercors
Overnight: Gresse-en-Vercors, Walk: +800m, 16km; 5hr 30
Leave after breakfast and transfer to train station at Monestier de Clermont.
Self-Guided
Time: 5hr 30-7hr per day
Ascent: 700-1150m per day
2-3 star hotels
Full Board
Other walking holidays in the French Alps
Alpine Adventure: Alternative part 4, Roya - Menton
Tour of the Ubaye: Hidden Alps
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. 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. Your self-guided walking holiday in the Vercors stays 2 days to the north of Mont Aiguille and 2 days to the south. Traversing between the two, your walking holiday allows you not only to have remarkable views of Mont Aiguille but also to climb the highest summit in the Vercors and explore the unique limestone plateau. A remarkable landscape of gorges and canyons which will take your breath away.
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, marmots 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.
5 nights/6 days: 4 days independent walking with 2 days with day walks from your accommodation and 2 days walking between guest houses
Everyday (subject to availability) from 1 June to 16 October
4 days self-guided walking with 2 circular walks from your accommodation and 2 walks between your guest houses creating a tour of Mont Aiguille. Walking per day amounts to an average of 5 - 7 hours walking (not including lunch stop) and 850m of ascent and descent. Maximum altitude gain in one day is 1,050m. There are options on 2 of the days to make it harder or easier as desired. The walks take place on paths, although they are mountainous and rocky in nature. You should have a reasonable level of fitness and be comfortable with walking on mountainous terrain. You should also be sure-footed on mountain paths and have a good head for heights.
This walking holiday is graded challenging. See more information about walking grades.
Two centre based holiday staying in hotels in the Chichilianne Valley at the base of Mont Aiguille and in Gresse en Vercors at the foot of Grand Veymont. Warm welcome and tasty cuisine. All meals are included in your holiday price.
Our self-guided walking trail in the Vercors is available from 1 June to 16 October. This is a moderate to high altitude walking holiday with passes above 2000m and so, depending on the spring weather conditions, there is a risk that several snow fields remain on the higher slopes in early June, although generally it is clear. The weather during most of the walking season is similar with sunny days interspersed with potential heat-of-the-day showers or storms. September and October are generally much wetter than June, July and August. The risk of storms is usally greater in the afternoons, so setting off early is advisable. The busiest period in terms of fellow walkers is from Mid July to mid August. Early June is best for the wonderful alpine flowers and meadows. Early September is sometimes a good period for settled weather but you run the risk of encountering some cold conditions at night in the Autumn.
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 walking follows clear paths most of the time. Some small sections follow unmarked 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.
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.
Short transfer from and to Monestier de Clermont train station to your hotel included in holiday price.
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.
The airlines Easy jet, Flybe and British Airwa
You'll stay in a couple of charming hotels, one two star in Richardière right at the base of Mont Aiguile and the other a lovely 3 star hotel in Gresse en Vercors. Comfortable accommodation in great settings with a warm welcome and great cuisine. Full board accommodation.
Le Chalet is a 3 star hotel located in the village of Gresse en Vercors in a spectacular setting at the foot of Le Grand Veymont, the highest point of the Vercors. Le Chalet has been run by the same family for 3 generations and has comfortable, well equipped rooms, a very good restaurant, a covered heated swimming pool and sun deck
This 2 star hotel is set right below the wonderful Mont Aiguille rock tower in the heart of the Vercors. The hotel features a library with free Wi-Fi access. Regional specialities are served in the restaurant at hotel Au Gai Soleil. The hotel has a wellness area with indoor pool, spa and hammam.
The holiday already includes a loop walk from Gresse-en-Vercors. If you would like an additional days walking then we would recommend an additional night in Gresse-en-Vercors where we can include an additional walk in the walking notes.
We also have a longer linear trail in the Vercors and it would be possible to combine elements of these two walking holidays: Panoramic Vercors
We can also include a city break in Grenoble. Grenoble is a beautiful city surrounded by towering mountains with a picturesque historic heart dating back to the Romans as well as loads of museums and events. Not to be missed is the bastille overlooking the city which you can visit via cable car or for the more adventurous by via ferrata!
Please consult us for a price on any of the above options.
If you want to learn more about the region's culture through tailor-made activities and visits, check out those trips that include a few days in the region. Contact us to add them to your hike.
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Thanks for a great trip. The lack of stress around the logistics (route planning/luggage etc) meant we were able to focus on hiking.
Martin K.