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Vercors Nature Park : hiking trails and villages of the Pre-Alps
    • France - Vercors
    • 7 days
    • Walking
    • Self-guided
      • From May to October
    • 2 - 10 travellers
      • Comfort
      • Trip code : A1171
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About the Vercors Nature Park : hiking trails and villages of the Pre-Alps trip

About the trip in Vercors

Your self-guided Vercors walking holiday: A week to take a deep breath of fresh air in the Vercors Regional Nature Park, the largest mountain range in the northern Pre-Alps. A real hiker’s paradise, an awe-inspiring massif of magical limestone plateaus dotted with flowers, authentic mountain villages, endless forest trails, deep gorges, alpine pastures and wide green valleys.
The hikes are moderate with some challenging options, rewarding you with fantastic panoramas atop soaring cliffs and retracing the perils of the WWII resistance fighters. End your days sampling some local specialties: local trout, “Bleu de Vercors” cheese washed down with a glass of Clairette de Die.  

Highlights of the trip

  • Hiking between the Alps & Provence, from alpine to wine country
  • Soaking up the mountain village ambiance
  • Tasting local trout and a glass of Clairette de Die
  • Pristine pre-alpine landscapes and abundant wildlife
  • The Grand Veymont famous summit of the Vercors mountains & the Archiane Cirque




    Go Private or go guided ! Customize your holidays with a local specialist here 

From the blog

Vercors Nature Park : hiking trails and village of the Pre-Alps : Day by Day

Day 1 - Arrival in Villard de Lans

hiking trip in the alps in vercors villard de lans

  • Settle in your hotel for 2 nights in the little traditional mountain town of Villard de Lans
  • Night in Villard de Lans.

  • Access :
    . You can reach Grenoble by TGV, then by bus T64 bus to Villard de Lans in just 1 hour.
    . The closest airports are Lyon (train 1h20 to Grenoble) & Geneva (plus 2h train to Grenoble).
    . We can also arrange a private transfer with supplement => upon request.

Day 2 - The "Col vert" pass

best hiking trails in the south alps in vercors

  • Walk - Villard de Lans > Le Col Vert > Villard de Lans
    . Short option : 4 hours - 13km / 8 miles - Ascent: +600 m / Descent: -600 m
    . Long option : 5 hours - 15km / 9.3 miles - Ascent: +900 m / Descent: -900 m
  • A path leads you over the village through hamlets, open fields, pine forests and meadows, with stunning views of the surrounding valley below. A final effort takes you to the Green Pass, with its bench fixed to the rock, where you can enjoy a well-deserved break in front of an impressive panorama - the entire range of the Alps - jagged summits rising to the sky and dotted with glaciers. Now you are ready for the descent through the meadows and past mountain huts, dreaming of the fondue dinner that you can enjoy this evening in the village.
  • Night in Villard de Lans.
  • MEALS included:  Breakfast 

  • Small market on Tuesday  & Saturday morning in Villar de Lans

Day 3 - The "Herbouilly" plateau

wild walking trip in vercors national park in the alps

  • Walk - Villard de Lans > Herbouilly > Saint Martin en Vercors
    . 5 hours - 16km / 9.9 miles - Ascent: +550 m / Descent: -850 m
    . Warning: this route is not recommended for people prone to vertigo
  • You take a path through dense forest, among a maze of trails, rocks, spruces, firs & beeches. You reach Herbouilly, with its ruins that served as a refuge for the resistance movement fighters during the Second World War. You leave the plateau and go down to Saint-Martin and transfer to the Chapelle en Vercors.
  • Night in La Chapelle en Vercors.
  • MEALS included: Breakfast

  • Market on Thursday morning all year round & Saturday morning from June>Sept in Chapelle en Vercors

Day 4 - Belvedere of Revoulat

self guided walk on the best hiks of the alps in the vercors

  • Walk - Chapelle en Vercors > Belvedere de Revoulat > Chapelle en Vercors
    5h30  - 17km / 1.05 miles - Ascent: +700 m / Descent: -700 m
  • Today’s hike leads you through the woods to a viewpoint on the edge of the vertiginous cliffs of the Grands Goulets. You might spot wild moutain goats before returning via the hamlet of Les Revoux back to the village.
  • Night in La Chapelle en Vercors. 
  • MEALS included: Breakfast 

Day 5 - The "Grand Veymont" : highest peak of the Vercors

best walking tour in the alps vercors national park grand veymont summit

  • Walk - La Coche > Le Grand Veymont > La Coche
    . Option 1  : 4h40 - 15 km / 9.3 miles - Ascent: +350 m / Descent: -350 m
    . Option 2  : 5h30 - 16 km / 9.9 miles - Ascent: +630 m / Descent: -630 m
    . Option 3 : 7h - 19 km / 11.8 miles - Ascent: +1000 m / Descent: -1000 m
  • An early morning transfer takes you to the gates of the Vercors Highlands Nature Reserve.  You follow tracks through the forest and pastures with the imposing silhouette of the Grand Veymont, culminating at an altitude of 2341m, as the backdrop.  The slope increases sharply, zigzagging towards the Pas de la Ville pass offering a breathtaking view of the Alps.  At the top, ibexes are still present and the 360° panorama is magnificent with a superb view especially of Mount Aiguille.  After a well-deserved break you go back in a loop towards La Coche. A taxi awaits you to transfer you to your hotel in Les Nonières. Relax at the hotel’s spa and unwind in the jacuzzi before enjoying dinner at the hotel’s restaurant.
  • Night in Les Nonières.  
  • MEALS included:  Breakfast & Dinner

Day 6 - The Archiane Cirque

  • walking tours alps vercors national park archianeWalk - Les Nonières > Le Cirque d’Archiane > Les Nonières
    . Short option : 4h15 - 12km / 7.4 miles - Ascent: +560 m / Descent: -560 m
    . Long option : 6h - 17km / 10.58 miles - Ascent: +800 m / Descent: -800 m
  • Your final walk at the foot of the Vercors takes you through the village of Bonnevise, with its fountain and flowering gardens, timeless but lived in year-round. You then enter the famous Cirque d’Archiane, its golden cliffs soaring up towards the high plateaus.  At the base of the Cirque, the hamlet of Archiane awaits with its fountain and you return via a small swimming hole in the river for a refreshing dip. Head back to your hotel for your final night & farewell dinner.
  • Night in Les Nonnières.
  • MEALS included:  Breakfast & Dinner

Day 7 - End of the trip in Die

  • hiking in alps vercors national park wild animal reserveAfter breakfast transfer to Die.  End of tour in Die.
    Don't miss the great local market on Wednesday & Saturday !

  • Return 
    . You can catch a 1h train from Die to Valence and then TGV to Paris, Lyon or Marseille

More walking trips in Vercors

Hiking in the Vercors Nature Park
    • France - Vercors
    • 7 days
    • Walking
    • Self-guided
      • From May to October

  •   Accommodation choice :

      • Comfort

    • Highlights of the trip

    • Experience the mountain village ambiance in the heart of the Vercors National Park
    • Beautiful nature and untamed wilderness
    • Pristine pre-alpine landscapes with fantastic views
    • Walks on a limestone plateau across valleys & forests
    • A reprieve from the summer heat
    • Sample delicious specialities from the Vercors: trout, ravioles & cheese
    • Mingle with locals in the markets




      Go Private or go guided ! Customize your holidays with a local specialist here 

    From 820 € / pers
    Vercors Nature Park : hiking trails and villages of the Pre-Alps
      • France - Vercors
      • 7 days
    • Walking
    • Self-guided
      • From May to October

  •   Accommodation choice :

      • Comfort

    • Highlights of the trip

    • Hiking between the Alps & Provence, from alpine to wine country
    • Soaking up the mountain village ambiance
    • Tasting local trout and a glass of Clairette de Die
    • Pristine pre-alpine landscapes and abundant wildlife
    • The Grand Veymont famous summit of the Vercors mountains & the Archiane Cirque




      Go Private or go guided ! Customize your holidays with a local specialist here 

    From 1230 € / pers
    Trip details
    Vercors Nature Park : hiking trails and villages of the Pre-Alps
        • France - Vercors
        • 2 adults (2x1230€)
        • 0 children (0x1230€)
      • 7 days
      • Comfort
    Total 2460€
    Deposit 800€
    Book now !