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The Vercors is the largest mountain range in the northern Pre-Alps. Its wild and remote character made it a major stronghold of the French Résistance during World War 2. Majestic limestone cliffs, deep gorges and countless caves strangely hide a green mountain landscape of vast open valleys, forests and pastures, perfect for mountain biking. A giant plateau, surrounded on all sides by sheer rock faces, the Vercors often gives the impression of being suspended high above the rest of the world. Starting in the Alpine capital of Grenobe, we use the trails of the Grande Traversée du Vercors as well as some lesser known routes to show you all the highlights of this outstanding natural area. Caution: wild! (wolves frequenting area)
Itinerary start: France Bike Trips services begin on day 1 at 1pm at Grenoble SNCF railway station. On request we can book the previous night's accommodation for you in Grenoble.
After our transfer (ca. 1h15 drive), we finally get on our mounts... The first stage is done in a loop and takes place above the Martelière. Easy and rolling, it allows us to immerse ourselves in the very special atmosphere of the Vercors. Our progression leads us to the edge of the limestone cliffs overhanging the famous Bourne gorges. After this glimpse of vertigo, we pass by the pas de l'Echarason to reach Saint Martin en Vercors and the small hamlet of Tourtre where we spend our first night.
Distance covered: approx. 25 km / Altitude gain: approx. 600 m
After having joined the Révoulat, we start a large portion of flat land crossing villages, clearings and small woods typical of the Vercors. The ascent to the Col de Carri is on forest tracks, which are used as cross-country tracks in winter. We enter the forest of Lente, before arriving at the clearing of the same name, and our gîte for the night.
Distance covered: approx. 40 km / Altitude gain: approx. 1400 m
Tonic departure to reach the vertiginous cliffs characterizing the southern limit of the Vercors. Superb panorama from the top overlooking the valley of the Drôme, the Diois, home of the famous Clairette de Die. We are at the hinge between the Northern Pre-Alps and the Southern Pre-Alps, what a contrast! We then start one of the most spectacular parts of our week: a single track through the mountain pastures runs along the edge of the plateau, before moving away from it to reach "la Fontaine du Chien". A short hike-abike section, and we reach the ridge of Gagères and its pass of Font Paysanne. On track, we reach the Vassieux pass, then the Rousset pass and finally the small village of Rousset en Vercors.
Distance covered: approx. 40 km / Altitude gain: approx. 1200 m
The morning is devoted to the discovery of the foothills of the high plateaus of the Vercors. We drive through magnificent mountain pastures, from small shepherds' huts to forest huts. We then go up to the Sarna pass, which we reach after a short break at the cave of the bear (headlamp necessary!). From the pass, a pleasant forest track leads us to our isolated gîte.
Distance covered: approx. 50 km / Altitude gain: approx. 1300 m
The plain of Herbouilly awakens us gently, with its bucolic clearings surrounded by forests. A gentleness that contrasts with the multiple traces of an active but often painful resistance... We visit the remains of the village of Valchevrière. The church is the only survivor of the terror of World War II. Passage to the viewpoint of the Bénitier de Merlon. We continue our way by a quiet descent through the forest of Le Bouchet. A small link by the road of the gorges de Méaudret leads us to Autrans, where we start our last ascent to our mountain gîte.
Distance covered: approx. 40 km / Altitude gain: approx. 1300 m
Morning ascent on a forest track to reach the northern end of the Vercors: La Sure and its 1400 meters of vertical cliff. At the bottom, in the valley, the houses look pretty small... Beautiful view of the Chartreuse massif, famous for its famous liqueur... In the distance, with its snowy mantle, the Mont Blanc. To the east, the Belledonne massif. We are truly at the gateway to the French Alps.
We then let ourselves go down along the Charande crests: 700 metres of vertical drop of pure pleasure! We reach Villard de Lans, from where we set off again in the direction of the north-eastern foothills of the Vercors. Climb towards the Col Vert to "catch" the superb path on the side of the "four mountains". We enjoy our arrival at the collet du Furon.
Distance covered: approx. 35 km / Altitude gain: approx. 800 m
Final stage: We set course for Grenoble! After reaching Saint Nizier de Moucherotte, we start our long and winding descent towards Grenoble - loads of trails in this area that can be considered the backyard of the Grenoble mountain bike scene. 1000 meters of difference in altitude on technical trails! A perfect finish of this Grand Tour of Vercors.
Distance covered: approx. 30 km / Altitude gain: approx. 500 m
Itinerary end: The trip ends in Grenoble at around 1pm. On request we can book the following night's accommodation for you in Grenoble.
Distances and altitude gain are an indication only and may vary.
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