This past Sunday (23.6.) we returned to the Southern Vercors in attempt to hike the route we started a year ago but were forced to quit because of rain and strong wind. This time we were much luckier — it was all sunshine and warm, but not too hot, with nice cooling breeze.

In order to get to the Southern Vercors and the parking of Plateau de Beure (1390m) at the ski station of Col de Rousset (Drôme department) we had quite a drive from Grenoble. The most scenic part was Gorges de la Bourne from Villard de Lans, most of which we followed a tank truck that took all the intricate turns very slowly. Of course, there we no opportunities to overtake, even for the motorcyclists. Quite a number of bicyclists also complicated things.

For the first three kilometers the trail traveled on the  mountain pasture, culminating at Belvédère (1639m), the highest point of our hike, from where we had an awesome view to the two highest  peaks on Vercors, La Grande Moucherolle (2284m) and Le Grand Veymont (2341m). The very characteristic of this pasture was that it is dotted with white rocks as if someone had intentionally spread them all over the place, just for hikers to pick and heap them up to cairns.

Next we descended to Pas des Econdus (1546m), where we left the pasture and entered La forêt domaniale de Romeyer. This was probably the most scenic part of the hike: on one side we had pine and beech trees that comfortably covered us from the sun, and on the other side a flowery slope. The trail was easy, well groomed with gentle incline up and down,  and we had gorgeous views to the valley below and the mountains on the opposite side.

When at Les Gravelles (1356m), after 2.5 more kilometers of walking, the scenery and the trail conditions change drastically. We literally hit a wall as can be seen in the first pictures below.

It was not obvious where to continue, but the instructions told us to turn left and climb the rock slide following the cairns. And that’s what we did. It was a bit challenging because, first, the slope was steep, and secondly, the loose gravel and the rocks kept slipping and sliding under our feet. When we reached almost the top, we noticed that there would have been (supposedly) a bit easier trail up. Well, we didn’t see it from the bottom.

After surviving the rock slide we were back on the pasture looking for a lunch spot, which we found nearby Cabane de Pré Peyret (1590m), which was quite crowded.

From the hut (or cabin) we returned on the pasture back to Pas des Econdus, and then climbed to But Sapiau (1619m) to catch the last glimpses of the Southern Vercors range.

Total distance of this hike was 16 kilometers, with 851 meters of ascent and descent, which we made in 5 hours and 32 minutes. This was probably the most scenic hike we’ve had in this region; the Southern Vercors is surely magnificent.