GRAND ANGLE

VERCORS TRIEVES

« Grand Veymont, High plateau and »

Guided tour 7 days, 6 nights

The Trièves welcomes you between the massif of the Devoluy and the Vercors nature Park, near the Oisans and mid-distance to and Gap. This secret place knew how to keep its identity through a real authenticity. The landscapes are maintained by an effective farming (20% of organic farming) but are also wild and beautiful. The paths network is extraordinary. Between Drôme and Isère, and Provence, the Vercors appears raised like a huge mountainous oasis. The landscapes are infinite, rich and well preserved with an important fauna and flora. The discovery of the High Plateaux, the vastest natural reserve in , and the Mont Aiguille looks just like the Dolomites in Italy. The Grand Veymont offers the most beautiful cliffs of the Vercors, close the village of Gresse in a beautiful green setting.

A wonderful break in a charming country that will seduce you.

Mont Aiguille : one of the Seven Wonders of the Dauphiné ! Grand Veymont : the summit of the Vercors, 2341m

Le village 38112 Méaudre / France

Tél. : + 33 (0)4 76 95 23 00

Licence de voyage IM038110022 Fax : + 33 (0)4 76 95 24 78

[email protected] http://www.grandangle.fr

Vercors Trièves, 2015, guided tour 1 / 6

GRAND ANGLE PROGRAMME

Between Drôme and Isère, a panoramic hike around impressive summits, different shapes and the discovery of the High Plateaux, vast natural reserve. Beautiful and natural landscapes.

Day 1 Monestier de Clermont – Gresse en Vercors Welcoming and first walk that will lead us to the beautiful village of St Michel des Portes 909m in gresse en Vercors, 1250m by the pass of Allimas, 1352m. The view over the Mont Aiguille is spectacular. 2h30 walk, +400m, - 150m. Diner and overnight in a comfortable cottage in Gresse en Vercors, in the centre of the village.

Day 2 Eastern balcony From Gresse, you will go the village of St Andéol piedmont of the Trièves. After that, we will reach the Eastern balcony, one of the most spectacular paths in the region, it goes along the cliffs of the Vercors at an average height of 1600m. 5h30 walk, +850m, -850m. Diner and second night in a comfortable cottage in Gresse en Vercors. For lunch you will get pic-nics with local products. Maybe you will get the chance to meet chamois, ibex or marmots.

Day 3 Gresse – Rousset en Vercors Climb by the path of the Pas de la Ville, 1925m, the gate of the High Plateaux, an ancestral way between the Trièves and the Central Vercors. East-West cross of the biggest natural reserve in France and descent to the village of Rousset en Vercors where we will have diner and spend the night in comfortable B&B. There are only ten inhabitants in this village, among them Martin Jones and his wife that will welcome us in their Inn. 5h30 to 6h walk, +750m, -1000m. You carry you belongings for the night.

Day 4 Rousset en Vercors – Richardière Short transfer to the pass of Rousset, 1370m so that we won’t be in a rush to cross this beautiful landscape. An extraordinary stage, with the transversal cross of the High Plateaux, a vast limestone chaos, cropped vegetation, huge sheep pasture in summer. We climb up the altitude plain of Queries, with its ancient Gallo-Roman quarries (there are remains of columns left behind). Spectacular crossing of the Pas de la Selle, 1875m and the pass of Aupet 1677m, facing the Mont Aiguille. Descent to the nice hamlet of Richardière at the bottom of the Mont Aiguille. 6h30 walk, +500m, -950m. Diner and overnight at the Gai Soleil Inn du Mont Aiguille. You will get picnics for lunch. You will get back your luggage tonight.

Day5 Richardière – Another great day, with the Pas de l’Aiguille (very spectacular, historic site of the Resistance), and the crossing of the natural reserve of the southern High Plateau, the Roy gardens and the Pas de l’Essaure, 1665m. Descent to Chichilianne and its cottage. 5h30 walk, +/-800m. Picnics for lunch.

Day 6 Chichilianne – Gresse en Vercors Eastern crossing by the hamlet of Ruthière and Trésane ; we will continue climbing to the pass of Papavet : 1245m, spectacular view on to the north-east side of the Mont Aiguille. Descent to the little hamlet of Bâtie and ascent to the Brisou ridge, 1620m. The day continues with a descent to the nice village of Gesse en Vercors (1195m), at the bottom of

Vercors Trièves, 2015, guided tour 2 / 6

GRAND ANGLE the most beautiful faces of the Vercors, especially the Grand Veymont, the highest summit of the Vercors, 2341m. 5h30 walk. +900m, -500m. Diner and overnight in a comfortable cottage. Picnics for lunch.

Day 7 From Gresse to Monestier, From the Pas de Serpaton, 1536m that offers beautiful views to the cliffs of the Grand Veymont (summit of the Vercors, 2341m) and to the northern side of the Mont Aiguille (very spectacular), 2087m. Descent to Monestier de Clermont. End of the tour at the train station. 3h30 walk, +300m, -736m. Picnic for lunch.

Variant : Ï Transfert to Grenoble and overnight (B&B) in the downtown ; 1free day in Grenoble, to get a stay of 8 days = +95€ Ï Pick up the group in Grenoble airport or railways station and back

Vercors Trièves, 2015, guided tour 3 / 6

GRAND ANGLE

DETAILS

LEVEL 2+ Average to good walker, 3 to 6h30 walk per day, no technical difficulty. Average positive ascent per day: + 300 to +900m

LUGGAGE Nothing to carry except for one night: you only carry your daily belongings with the picnic. You will get you luggage each night at the accommodation. On day 2 you will have to carry your belongings for the night; you will get you luggage on day 3.

ACCOMMODATION / FOOD Accommodation : • Option 1 : comfortable cottage and guesthouse, in community rooms or small dormitory. • Option 2 : in hotel or guesthouse, in double rooms except on Day 3 in Rousset (community rooms) Food : hot diners and breakfast, picnics for lunch and supplies during the hikes.

SUPERVISION State graduated mountain guide, speaking English

THE GROUP 8 to 13 person

BEGINNING / END Beginning : at 3:00pm at the train station of Monestier de Clermont End : at 2:00pm at the trains station of Monestier de Clermont

ACCESS By car : you can park your car for the week on the public parking close to the train station ; train back from to Monestier, 14’. By train: Monestier de Clermont train station (changing in Grenoble, direction Gap) & Clelles train station (changing in Grenoble, direction Gap). By plane : Grenoble St Geoirs airport ou Lyon St Exupéry ; the bus station is adjacent to the train station of Grenoble.

DATES Sunday to Saturday or Saturday to Friday, from June to September. Dates to be confirmed.

Vercors Trièves, 2015, guided tour 4 / 6

GRAND ANGLE Walkers reach a land where the settlements (a few non kept huts) and the signs (only the GR) where voluntarily limited to maintain the character.

Information about the Vercors Nature Park Creation : octobre 1970 Surface : 206 208 hectares, with17 000 hectares classified as natural reserve Forest surface : 125 000 hectares Altitude : 180 m to 2453 m (round rock) Population : 46 000 habitants Towns : 85 in the Isère department (48 towns) and Drôme department (37 towns) « gate » cities : Grenoble, Crest, Romans, Saint-Marcellin et Vinay 8 natural regions : Quatre-Montagnes, Trièves, Vercors Drômois, Royans Isère, Royans Drôme, Gervanne, Diois and Piémont Nord.

RECOMMENDED CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT

- A small comfortable backpack for the day (35 to 50L) - Good hiking shoes with god soles - A pair a sneakers - A good sweat shirt or a fleece shirt - A windbreaker - Comfortable trousers to hike - A short - Sweats - A light shirt with long sleeves - Woollen socks - A hat and sunglasses - A flask - Sunscreen - Toilet bag - A first-aid-kit (aspirin, gauze bandage, disinfectant…) - A bathing suite - Cutlery, a plastic plate and a Tupperware (for the salads). + Another bag: a backpack or a travel bag (not to big)

Vercors Trièves, 2015, guided tour 6 / 6