The GTV Pedestrian from Grenoble
Which other massif can bring together edelweiss (the emblematic mountain symbol) and Mediterranean thyme fragrances?
Abrupt limestone cliffs and gentle vineyards?
The massif with the six 6 big cloven hoofed beasts of France (chamois, ibex, stag, roe-deer, mouflon and wild boar), along with numerous sheep, horses, and cattle that come for the summer to feast in the flowery alpine pastures?
The Vercors, of course!
An unmissable region for hiking all year round. The climatic border between the Northern Alps and Provence, the massif dazzled by the strength and diversity of its landscapes.
The GTV itinerary is the "link" ensuring your recipe for success from these exceptional ingredients.
So what are you waiting for? Enjoy the sensations!
23 steps
Description
The Great Crossing explores the trails of the Vercors Regional Natural Park. Created in 1970, the Park extends from 180 to 2,341 metres in altitude, culminating in the Grand Veymont and the Rocher Rond.
The region brings together seven geographical sectors: the Quatre-Montagnes, the Coulmes, the Drome Vercors, the Royans, the Diois, the Trièves and the Gervanne.
Alongside the Isère, we find the cool Northern Alps, whilst in the Drôme, the Mediterranean climate and fragrant vegetation perfume the paths. To the north and south, the massif is covered by a thick layer of limestone, which, through erosion, has created the spectacular landscapes: gorges, needles, cliffs, lapiaz…
And when we say an exceptional environment, we also find amazing flora and fauna.
But the Vercors is also a place where people live:
54,000 inhabitants are spread across the region, with the old "Vertacomicoriens" mixing with new residents attracted by the exceptional quality of life.
The itinerary goes through numerous villages amongst the 84 in the park, ideal to visit and restock on supplies. After a magnificent day of hiking, who can resist the delicious "vercouline", a local speciality based on Vercors-Sassenage blue cheese?
A variant to the main tour is a 60 kilometre trail going through the High Plateaux at the heart of the Natural Reserve. Created in 1985, the reserve nestles at the heart of the Vercors Park, in its highest and wildest area. No roads, no villages.
The scarcity of surface water has prevented a permanent human presence. The only activities are grazing, which is still alive, and forestry. Its main task is to preserve and study nature. For this, the six reserve rangers conduct observations of the fauna and flora. Another specificity of this region: very little itinerary signposting, no real refuges, but instead unmanned cabins and shelters. These conditions may seem restrictive at first sight, but they provide the guarantee of total immersion in this rich, preserved natural environment.
From the "Grand Tour" itinerary, you can also take a trip to the Vercors Haut-Plateaux at any time. Invent your own "GTV"!
- Departure : Saint-Nizier-du-Moucherotte
- Arrival : Saint-Nizier-du-Moucherotte
- Towns crossed : Saint-Nizier-du-Moucherotte, Claix, Lans-en-Vercors, Villard-de-Lans, Saint-Paul-de-Varces, Le Gua, Château-Bernard, Saint-Andéol, Gresse-en-Vercors, Saint-Michel-les-Portes, Saint-Martin-de-Clelles, Chichilianne, Treschenu-Creyers, Châtillon-en-Diois, Laval-d'Aix, Die, Romeyer, Chamaloc, Marignac-en-Diois, Ponet-et-Saint-Auban, Sainte-Croix, Vachères-en-Quint, Saint-Andéol, Saint-Julien-en-Quint, Vassieux-en-Vercors, Bouvante, Omblèze, Plan-de-Baix, Le Chaffal, Léoncel, Saint-Jean-en-Royans, Saint-Laurent-en-Royans, Sainte-Eulalie-en-Royans, Pont-en-Royans, Châtelus, Choranche, Presles, Saint-André-en-Royans, Saint-Pierre-de-Chérennes, Izeron, Malleval-en-Vercors, Rencurel, Méaudre, Autrans, La Rivière, Montaud, Noyarey, and Engins
Forecast
Altimetric profile
Recommandations
Before setting off:
Avoid going alone.
Check accommodation availability.
Pack warm, waterproof clothing and suitable shoes.
Water is rare, so plan accordingly. Treat or filter the water that you drink.
Do not hesitate to call upon the services of a trained, competent professional.
In the mountains:
Use the installed passages to cross fences, close gates and barriers.
Stay on the marked trails and respect private property.
The trails can be slippery in rainy conditions!
Do not cross hay meadows or cultivated fields.
Ensure that the fauna is not scared by your presence.
Respect sheep farms, refuges and cabin shelters.
Collect your waste, think nature.
You are in summer pastures, and may meet herd protection and guard dogs (patous). Always ensure that you go a long way round the animals, calmly so that the dog can identify you, do not pat or threaten them.
Warning: during the summer period which may extend from May to October, dogs are PROHIBITED by municipal order in certain alpine zones, EVEN IF THEY ARE ON LEADS!
Emergency:
112 (valid throughout Europe). Warning: there are some "white areas" in the region!
Information desks
101 place Mure-Ravaud, 38250 Villard-de-Lans
Place du Village, 38250 Saint-Nizier-du-Moucherotte
10 Place des Lucioles, 26620 Lus-la-Croix-Haute
Grande rue, 38680 Pont-en-Royans
49 route du Vercors, 38880 Autrans-Méaudre-en Vercors
Square Jean Giono, 26410 Châtillon-en-Diois
13 Place de l'Eglise, 26190 Saint-Jean-en-Royans
Place du Général de Gaulle, 26400 Crest
246 avenue Léopold Fabre, 38250 Lans-en-Vercors
43, route du Grand-Veymont, 38650 Gresse-en-Vercors
48 Grande Rue, 38680 Pont-en-Royans
Place Pietri, 26 420 La Chapelle-en-Vercors
Parvis de l'Aqueduc, 26190 Saint-Nazaire-en-Royans
Place Locmaria, 38 112 Autrans-Méaudre-en Vercors
Access and parking
- From the North of France (Paris: 6h)
Autoroutes A6, A48, then exit Villard-de-Lans by the RN 532 towards "Vercors".
- From the South of France (Marseille: 3h)
Autoroutes A7 (to Valence Sud), A49, then exit La Baume d’Hostun towards Villard-de-Lans. At Saint-Nazaire-en-Royans, take the RD 531 towards Villard-de-Lans.
Parking :
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