Across the Vercors
7 Days
Min 7 max 10
€899,-
The Trip
At the foot of the French Alps, we walk a dizzyingly beautiful multi-day trek right through the Vercors Massif. The limestone cliffs tower high above us as we trudge across the limestone plateaus with full packs. We wander through pine forests and across vast alpine meadows while marveling at the enchanting views.
This spectacular nature reserve is characterized by the limestone rock landscapes formed by years of erosion. We follow the massif from north to south over a distance of about 80 km via varied and idiosyncratic nature trails. Our route naturally includes a climb to the highest point in the Vercors, the Grand Veymont at 2341 meters. Due to the “modest” altitude of the trek and manageable daily stages, there is also plenty of room during the trip for nature experiences, wildlife spotting as well as the art of bivouacing and skills that come in handy. We try to catch a glimpse of the many special inhabitants of this area, including the alpine marmot, ibex and various birds of prey (golden eagle, vultures) and rare plants (the wild tulip and edelweiss). Meanwhile, you’ll learn all about self-reliance in nature.
The first and last night we will spend the night in a campground. The other four nights we sleep in the rough nature of the Vercors. Bivouacing is officially allowed and we will do this off-the-grid under the stars. This can be done under a tarp or in a small tent. We cook on our own stoves. Water is scarce in a karst landscape, but still present in the spring.
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Theme and levels
The theme of this trip is Wild Skills: these trips are for people who want to learn more about wilderness skills. A good basic (running) condition is desirable for this trip. We will walk 15-20km daily with packs and tackle some extra altimeters to a summit. Focus is on nature experience, flora/fauna and less on speed/topping. Experience with (wild) camping or the Wild Human trip is a plus, but not necessary.
Impression
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Experiences
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Practical
Cost
€899,-
What’s included
Two tent/bivouac nights at a campsite, four in wilderness on the massif
Two French local breakfasts and evening meals on arrival and departure day
Breakfast, lunch and evening meals during the trek (freeze-dried instant meals)
Dutch tour guide/wilderness guide
24/7 backup support from the Netherlands
Rewild group camping equipment
Not included in this price is your trip to and from France, any personal expenses in catering establishments and mountaineering insurance. We recommend taking out this at the NKBV.
Logistics
You travel on your own or we travel group coordinated
by Rewild (more economical). The costs for this are outside the package price.
We go – in principle – by car and carpool in the process. A cozy
car ride is the start and end of our trip.
Nutrition
During the trek we are completely self-sufficient: we cook our own
meals on small gas stoves and take our food supplies with us
in the backpack. There are no luxuries, just the basics – and that is exactly what makes the adventure
pure. In the rugged nature of the Vercors, we prepare our meals
under the stars, simple but nutritious.
Travel guarantee and booking
The departure of this trip is guaranteed from 7 people. A maximum of 10 people can join the trip. This trip is a package tour and to comply with the legally required guarantee on package tours, Rewild uses the guarantee of VZR Garant. You can find the conditions of this guarantee scheme on the website of VZR Garant.
Insurance
To participate in Rewild trips, you must be insured for activities in mountainous areas off the beaten track. You can inquire about this with your current insurance company or purchase travel insurance from the Dutch Climbing and Mountaineering Association.
Conditions of participation
By participating in a Rewild trip, you accept the general travel conditions, as found at the bottom of the website. The cancellation policy is also explained here.
Packing List
Travel Program
Day 1
Travel day to Saint-Nizier-du-Moucherotte
We travel to Iran as a group and stay overnight in Esfahan.
Day 2 through 6
Across the Vercors massif
After a delicious local French breakfast, we begin the trek with full packs. We climb from the campsite directly up the massif to the first spectacular viewpoint over the Isère River, Grenoble and the entire massif (Moucherotte (1,901m). We stroll through coniferous forests and across vast alpine meadows, passing through a few ski villages. After this, the trail becomes wilder through limestone cliffs, ravines and numerous views of the plateau. Leaving the beaten GR trails, we head straight for the Grand Veymont (2,341m) for a rewarding ascent. After this, the trail widens, creating large coves in the plateau which provides beautiful vistas and surprising views into the valley. As the trail gradually climbs back up to Le Dome (2,041m) there is another spectacular view of Cirque d’Archiane, where narrow, vertical white cliffs shape the landscape. On the densely wooded slopes and in the caves, at least 4,000 resistance fighters hid during World War II. This made the Vercors one of the most extensive partisan strongholds in France. Enjoy some more breathtaking scenery before we start the steep descent to the village of Chatillon-en-Diois. Not only the end of our trek but also of the Vercors massif. Along the way we eat and bivouac off-the-grid and in the middle of nature. On the last evening we sleep again at a campsite and in the evening we conclude the trip together over a well-deserved local French farewell dinner.
Day 7
Back to the Netherlands
After a fresh croissant, back home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have questions about our trips, practicalities or our story? In these frequently asked questions, you’ll find the answers quickly and easily.
How do I book a trip on your website?
Simply find your destination, choose your dates and follow the steps to complete your booking. You will receive the confirmation by e-mail.
Can I cancel or change my booking?
Yes, cancellation is possible according to our terms and conditions: up to 8 weeks before departure you pay only the deposit, after that increasing costs apply up to 100% just before departure.
Do you offer travel insurance?
No, we do not offer travel insurance ourselves. We recommend mountaineering insurance through the NKBV.
Are there any hidden fees or service charges?
No, there are no hidden costs. All unavoidable additional costs are clearly stated in advance in the travel price.
Do you also rent equipment or materials?
Yes, some of the required equipment is available for rent on our trips. We offer these rental options during the booking process. There you can see exactly what gear is available and add it directly to your booking. That way you don’t have to arrange this separately in advance.
What payment methods do you accept?
You can pay with us easily and safely via iDEAL and Bancontact. It is also possible to pay by bank transfer. All payments go through our secure booking system Bookinglayer.
