East-West crossing of the Vercors on the GR®93 - Stage 5
Gresse-en-Vercors
5. East-West crossing of the Vercors on the GR®93 - Stage 5
5h30
16,2km
+674m
-1266m
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Keep a low profile to increase your chances of spotting the wildlife.
4 points of interest
vautour - S&M Booth The Vulture Ball
At the dawn of the 2000s, the Regional Natural Park of Vercors participated in an operation to reintroduce vultures fawn on the scale of the Pre-Alps. These birds had disappeared from our mountains in the 19th century. By relying on the population of the Grands Causses, the idea was to exchange (birds, and therefore genes) with the Pyrenean populations. A vast population occupies a space that goes from the Spanish Pyrenees to the Vercors, which the birds traverse freely (the observation of the banded birds proves it to us). The Col de Rousset and the circus of Archiane are two sites of rest and nesting for these great gliders (almost 3m of wingspan). They use the ascending currents along the cliffs to transit from one to the other. A large shadow on the ground, raise your head, a vulture passes over you ...
Réserve Naturelle - S.M Booth The Nature reserve of the Hauts-Plateaux of Vercors
Unique by its size of 17,000 hectares, the Réserve des Hauts-Plateaux extends over 10% of the territory of the Regional Natural Park of Vercors. Today it is the largest terrestrial reserve in metropolitan France. Between 1050 m and 2341 m of altitude (with the Grand Veymont in climax), it undergoes very contrasted climatic influences, at the hinge between the northern and southern pre-Alps. The strong seasonal human presence has shaped it since prehistoric times. Pastoralism has been practiced there for over a thousand years.Now marked by an alternation of mountain pastures and forests, the Reserve has the largest forest of hooked pines in the limestone Alps and a rich flora of 738 species. Animal life is discreet but abundant.
B Berthemy The reintroduction of Vultures
Discover the story of a reintroduction, the stages, the social value of the Vulture, the conditions to "apply" as a home site, the working method. A long-running adventure that is now managed in a network throughout Europe.
Falaises du cirque d'Archiane - PNRV The circus of Archiane
The impressive limestone cliffs of the circus of Archiane dominate the hamlet of the same name of more than 1000 m. More than 100 million years ago, we were here under an ocean, this one deposited the sediments that now form the plateau of the Vercors. Then, the uprising of the Alps, as well as erosion gave its current form to the site. It is a place where the fauna (Bouquetin, Chamois, Gypaète Barbu, Griffon Vulture ...) and the flora are rich there. Outdoor activities are also very present with hiking and climbing.
Description
From Cabane de Pré-Peyret, carry on to the Carrefour de Pré-Peyret, and then Le Pison before reaching Les Quatres-Chemins de la Ville, followed by L'Aubaise, Archiane, Les Vallons and Bénevise.
- Departure : Pré-Peyret
- Arrival : Bénevise
- Towns crossed : Gresse-en-Vercors, Chichilianne, Romeyer, Laval-d'Aix, and Treschenu-Creyers
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.
Large plateaus at an average altitude of 1,600m, these landscapes are well-known to lovers of wide open spaces where humans have discreetly left their mark over the centuries. The fauna and flora also appreciate these places, where you can observe the two emblems of the Park: the wild tulip and the black grouse. Rock birds particularly appreciate the large cliffs that border these plateaus, and mountain orchids brighten the sparse mountain pine forest. Classified as a National Nature Reserve since 1985, this heart of nature benefits from strong protection. Human activities are regulated, and certain rules apply to everyone: dogs are prohibited, even on a leash; fires are also prohibited, as are motor vehicles, except for professionals (shepherds and breeders, forest managers, and rangers); bivouacking is possible, but tents must be taken down every day. Overflight is prohibited below 300m
- Impacted practices:
- , ,
- Sensitivity periods:
- JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSep
- Contact:
- https://www.parc-du-vercors.fr/
Jas Neuf-Bachassons summer pasture
Alpine pasture grazed and protected from the end of June to the end of September; only herding dogs are allowed on the pasture.
- Impacted practices:
- ,
- Sensitivity periods:
- JunJulAugSep
- Contact:
Glandasse summer pasture
Alpine pasture grazed and protected from the end of June to the beginning of October; only herding dogs are allowed on the alpine pasture.
- Impacted practices:
- ,
- Sensitivity periods:
- JunJulAugSepOct
- Contact:
- Association de Développement et d’Économie Montagnarde de la Drôme accueil@adem-drome.fr
Parc du Vercors info@pnr-vercors.fr
Jardin du Roy summer pasture
Alpine pasture grazed and protected from mid-June to mid-October; only herding dogs are allowed on the pasture.
- Impacted practices:
- ,
- Sensitivity periods:
- JunJulAugSepOct
- Contact:
- Association de Développement et d’Économie Montagnarde de la Drôme accueil@adem-drome.fr
Parc du Vercors info@pnr-vercors.fr
Griffon vulture
- Impacted practices:
- , ,
- Sensitivity periods:
- JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugDec
- Contact:
- nicolas.renous@pnr-vercors.fr
Griffon vulture
- Impacted practices:
- , ,
- Sensitivity periods:
- JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugDec
- Contact:
- nicolas.renous@pnr-vercors.fr
Recommandations
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.
Stay alert in spring: snowfields can last late into the season! (Check with the tourist office before setting out).
Important: when the weather is hot in summer, make sure you take ample water with you as well as adequate sun protection, including sunscreen, a hat or other essentials.
Parts of the route are at high altitude and may be covered in snow in winter. These sections may be impassable depending on your mode of transport.
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.
Stay alert in spring: snowfields can last late into the season! (Check with the tourist office before setting out).
Important: when the weather is hot in summer, make sure you take ample water with you as well as adequate sun protection, including sunscreen, a hat or other essentials.
Parts of the route are at high altitude and may be covered in snow in winter. These sections may be impassable depending on your mode of transport.
Herd protection dogs
In the mountain pastures, the guard dogs are there to protect the herds from predators.
When I hike, I adapt my behaviour by going around the herd and pausing so that the dog can identify me.
Click here to see the video : c'est quoi au juste un chien de protection ?
National nature reserve of Vercors Hauts plateaux
The national nature reserve of Vercors Hauts plateaux is an unrestricted natural area but subjected to regulations which must be known by all visitors. This reserve, created in 1985 by the French government, is the heart of the Vercors Park, with no permanent habitations or roads running through it. Unique in its size (17,000 hectares), the Hauts-Plateaux du Vercors reserve covers 8% of the Vercors Regional Nature Park. It is now the largest terrestrial reserve in mainland France.
It is open to all, but it's subject to a number of regulations that you will need to be aware of to prepare for your stay.
Information desks
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