Grand Tour of the Vercors by Mountain Bike (GTV itinerary)
La Chapelle-en-Vercors
Grand Tour of the Vercors by Mountain Bike (GTV itinerary)
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255,5km
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The GTV (for Grand Tour du Vercors) is the opposite to the very high speed TGV!
No high speed here, but one of the many hiking itineraries in the massif, to be enjoyed at a leisurely walking pace, taking in each landscape, mountain and viewpoint.
The Great moutain bike rides across the Vercors (GTVs) include a Grand Tour du Vercors, an alternative route across the Hauts Plateaux Nature Reserve, and a crossing of the Trièves massif from Grenoble and the Vercors Diois sector (from Crest to Lus-la-Croix-Haute).
All the trails described here are designed specifically for mountain bikers and are accessible from numerous starting points.
The mountain biking GTV is one of the sites certified by the French Cycling Federation (FFC).
No high speed here, but one of the many hiking itineraries in the massif, to be enjoyed at a leisurely walking pace, taking in each landscape, mountain and viewpoint.
The Great moutain bike rides across the Vercors (GTVs) include a Grand Tour du Vercors, an alternative route across the Hauts Plateaux Nature Reserve, and a crossing of the Trièves massif from Grenoble and the Vercors Diois sector (from Crest to Lus-la-Croix-Haute).
All the trails described here are designed specifically for mountain bikers and are accessible from numerous starting points.
The mountain biking GTV is one of the sites certified by the French Cycling Federation (FFC).
7 steps
Description
The Grand Tour du Vercors covers a total of over 250 km—the equivalent to around 5 to 7 days of breathtaking mountain biking. You can customise your itinerary to fit in with your schedule: a day’s ride or a tour lasting a weekend or a whole week...
The routes crisscross the Vercors Regional Natural Park, which is dotted with spectacular landscapes and home to exceptional flora and fauna. The Grand Tour du Vercors will introduce you to these natural treasures as you pass through myriad typical villages where you can stock up on supplies.
The alternative crossing by the Hauts Plateaux du Vercors is around 70 km in length for 2 to 3 days of mountain biking. A technical tour made for expert bikers, it runs through the Hauts Plateaux Nature Reserve, tucked away in the highest and wildest part of the Vercors. This region is distinct in that there are no roads or villages here, very few trail markings, and no proper refuges—just unmanned huts and shelters. It is a vast desert plateau of 17,000 hectares, a protected Nature Reserve that is a paradise for mountain bikers who revel in the untamed wilderness. Cyclists must stick to the trail as access to the Reserve is regulated.
So, now it's up to you to come up with your very own Grande Traversée du Vercors, an experience that will live with you for ever!
The routes crisscross the Vercors Regional Natural Park, which is dotted with spectacular landscapes and home to exceptional flora and fauna. The Grand Tour du Vercors will introduce you to these natural treasures as you pass through myriad typical villages where you can stock up on supplies.
The alternative crossing by the Hauts Plateaux du Vercors is around 70 km in length for 2 to 3 days of mountain biking. A technical tour made for expert bikers, it runs through the Hauts Plateaux Nature Reserve, tucked away in the highest and wildest part of the Vercors. This region is distinct in that there are no roads or villages here, very few trail markings, and no proper refuges—just unmanned huts and shelters. It is a vast desert plateau of 17,000 hectares, a protected Nature Reserve that is a paradise for mountain bikers who revel in the untamed wilderness. Cyclists must stick to the trail as access to the Reserve is regulated.
So, now it's up to you to come up with your very own Grande Traversée du Vercors, an experience that will live with you for ever!
- Departure : La Chapelle-en-Vercors village
- Arrival : La Chapelle-en-Vercors village
- Towns crossed : Auberives-en-Royans, Autrans, Beauvoir-en-Royans, Bouvante, Châtelus, Corrençon-en-Vercors, Engins, Izeron, La Chapelle-en-Vercors, Lans-en-Vercors, La Rivière, Méaudre, Pont-en-Royans, Presles, Rencurel, Rovon, Saint-Agnan-en-Vercors, Saint-André-en-Royans, Sainte-Eulalie-en-Royans, Saint-Gervais, Saint-Jean-en-Royans, Saint-Julien-en-Quint, Saint-Julien-en-Vercors, Saint-Laurent-en-Royans, Saint-Martin-en-Vercors, Saint-Pierre-de-Chérennes, Saint-Romans, Vassieux-en-Vercors, and Villard-de-Lans
Forecast
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.
When you come across people on foot or horse, slow down, move to one side, and do not make any sudden movements.
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.
Important: from between around November 15 to April 15, the mountain biking GTV is totally impassable due to snow and ice!
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.
When you come across people on foot or horse, slow down, move to one side, and do not make any sudden movements.
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.
Important: from between around November 15 to April 15, the mountain biking GTV is totally impassable due to snow and ice!
Information desks
Grande rue, 38680 Pont-en-Royans
101 place Mure-Ravaud, 38250 Villard-de-Lans
48 Grande Rue, 38680 Pont-en-Royans
49 route du Vercors, 38880 Autrans-Méaudre-en Vercors
246 avenue Léopold Fabre, 38250 Lans-en-Vercors
Place du Village, 38250 Saint-Nizier-du-Moucherotte
Place Pietri, 26 420 La Chapelle-en-Vercors
Transport
The Grand Tour du Vercors can be started from any stage, and all the villages it passes through have their own access roads.
The most obvious access points are Villard de Lans from Grenoble and Saint-Jean-en-Royans or La Chapelle-en-Vercors from Valence.
By train : Grenoble, Valence or Die train station
The OùRA multimodal route planner provides information about all the connections between regional trains, urban transport and departmental bus lines : https://www.oura.com/
By bus :
From Grenoble :
With Regional coaches T65 or T64 for Lans-en-Vercors to Villard de Lans.
Then on-demand "T.A.D" service to La Chapelle en Vercors (except Sundays and public holidays)
Booking required on +334 8000 7000, at least 24 hours before your journey.
From Valence:
Valence-ville or Valence-TGV: Line D05 to La Chapelle en Vercors, via Saint-Jean en Royans, also a stage on the Tour.
The most obvious access points are Villard de Lans from Grenoble and Saint-Jean-en-Royans or La Chapelle-en-Vercors from Valence.
By train : Grenoble, Valence or Die train station
The OùRA multimodal route planner provides information about all the connections between regional trains, urban transport and departmental bus lines : https://www.oura.com/
By bus :
From Grenoble :
With Regional coaches T65 or T64 for Lans-en-Vercors to Villard de Lans.
Then on-demand "T.A.D" service to La Chapelle en Vercors (except Sundays and public holidays)
Booking required on +334 8000 7000, at least 24 hours before your journey.
From Valence:
Valence-ville or Valence-TGV: Line D05 to La Chapelle en Vercors, via Saint-Jean en Royans, also a stage on the Tour.
Access and parking
All the villages along the route are accessible by road, meaning it is possible to join the route of the Grand Tour du Vercors from north to south, and from east to west.
Parking :
There are a number of possible entrances (car parks) to the circuit.
Report a problem or an error
If you have found an error on this page or if you have noticed any problems during your hike, please report them to us here: