Saint-Andéol / Gresse-en-Vercors (stage 4)
Saint-Andéol
4. Saint-Andéol / Gresse-en-Vercors (stage 4)
5h30
15km
+1100m
-937m
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A spectacular stretch with staggering landscapes. Keep your eyes peeled: an ibex, marmot or eagle might be spying on you!
3 points of interest
La barrière Est du Vercors près de la Tune de l'ours - E. Charron Sous la Tune de l'Ours
Many place names refer to the presence of the bear in the Vercors. The mountains thus preserve forever the memory of the plantigrade now disappeared. In the Trièves, the last of them was shot down in 1898 near the Pas de la Ville, in the territory of Gresse-en-Vercors. The "Tune de l'Ours" is on the eastern balcony of the Vercors. This shelter under rock is thus baptized because it was to serve as shelter to him.
Balcon Est - S&M Booth Barrier East of Vercors
The impressive east gate of the Vercors rises vertically above the Trièves.For nearly 50 km, this crest line, composed of relatively strong Eryonian limestone, extends from north to south at an altitude of about 2000 m (highest point 2341 m with the Grand Veymont).This barrier is difficult to cross, there are only a dozen of Pas to reach the plateau of Vercors.
L'abri de la Peyrouse - E. Charron Abri de la Peyrouse
The shelter of Peyrouse (Abri de la Peyrouse) located on the balconies East of the Vercors is an unguarded stone hut, 2 places are planned to sleep there, but you will not find there water nor stove to warm you.
Description
- Bid farewell to the village of Saint-Andéol as you go back up the Estearn cliff trail, passing through Grandes Tartices and Tours du Playnet.
- Carry on towards Gresse-en-Vercors, the highest village in the massif (1,240m). The path is narrow at first but always well signposted. Take a breather at the Peyrouse hut, a mountain shelter open to the public that boasts stunning views over the eastern barrier of the Vercors.
- The path from here is eroded at times and can be tricky in places.
- From Côte Joubert, it goes back down towards Col des Deux through a mix of forest and meadows. The final part of the stage follows a track and then a small road to the village of Gresse-en-Vercors, before joining a pleasant path once more.
- Departure : Saint-Andéol (village)
- Arrival : Gresse-en-Vercors (village)
- Towns crossed : Saint-Andéol and Gresse-en-Vercors
Forecast
Altimetric profile
Sensitive areas
Along your trek, you will go through sensitive areas related to the presence of a specific species or environment. In these areas, an appropriate behaviour allows to contribute to their preservation. For detailed information, specific forms are accessible for each area.
Recommandations
An opportunity to bivouac at the Peyrouse mountain shelter.
Be careful in winter: the route is impassable; in spring it is very tricky due to snow slides.
A section of the trail (between the Peyrouse shelter and Berrieves pass) is often difficult due to extensive gulley erosion. Feel free to take the alternative route for this section: at the Peyrouse mountain shelter, the trail leaves the Eastern cliff trail and descends through forest and scree to Grands Clots. Now head towards Serre de la Terre. From here, the route follows a forest track before descending through woods and pastures to the D242 departmental road at Rif-Clar. After the bridge, the path crosses the road and heads towards the Clos de Ménil, where it meets the alternative route (3 Bis) of the Grand Tour du Vercors.
Be careful in winter: the route is impassable; in spring it is very tricky due to snow slides.
A section of the trail (between the Peyrouse shelter and Berrieves pass) is often difficult due to extensive gulley erosion. Feel free to take the alternative route for this section: at the Peyrouse mountain shelter, the trail leaves the Eastern cliff trail and descends through forest and scree to Grands Clots. Now head towards Serre de la Terre. From here, the route follows a forest track before descending through woods and pastures to the D242 departmental road at Rif-Clar. After the bridge, the path crosses the road and heads towards the Clos de Ménil, where it meets the alternative route (3 Bis) of the Grand Tour du Vercors.
Information desks
Mairie de Château-Bernard La Chapelle , 38650 Château-Bernard
43, route du Grand-Veymont, 38650 Gresse-en-Vercors
Transport
By train: Monestier-de-Clermont SNCF station: Route planner
then Bus: transisère line Monestier de Clermont-Gresse en Vercors MON07 (morning timetable only). Stop at Saint-Andéol town hall.
Car pooling:
Offer or book your carpool with the regional platform Mov'Ici.
then Bus: transisère line Monestier de Clermont-Gresse en Vercors MON07 (morning timetable only). Stop at Saint-Andéol town hall.
Car pooling:
Offer or book your carpool with the regional platform Mov'Ici.
Access and parking
From Grenoble, take the A84 motorway then the A51 south, exit at junction 12 towards Sisteron/Vif.
At Vif, take the departmental road D8 towards Miribel-Lanchâtre then Saint-Guillaume. Then take the D242a to Saint-Andéol.
From Monestier-de-Clermont, follow the D8 to the village of Saint-Guillaume. Take the D242a as far as Saint-Andéol.
At Vif, take the departmental road D8 towards Miribel-Lanchâtre then Saint-Guillaume. Then take the D242a to Saint-Andéol.
From Monestier-de-Clermont, follow the D8 to the village of Saint-Guillaume. Take the D242a as far as Saint-Andéol.
Parking :
Saint-Andéol (village)
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