The Vercors snowshoe traverse (Isère, Drôme)

Description

I'd like to propose a 6-day snowshoe trek across the Vercors massif, suitable for good walkers.

Departing from Corrençon-en-Vercors, you'll head for the limestone ridges of Die region through the Vercors Regional Conservation Area.

Accommodation in comfortable lodges allows you to take a breather and spend convivial evenings with your feet under the table! Carrying is limited to daily essentials.

The best part of this tour: in the heart of the high plateaus conservation area you'll spend your last night in a warm and cosy old sheepfold.

If you are interested in other itineraries in the region, I also offer :

• snowshoe hikes in the southern Vercors,
• a snowshoeing weekend in the Vercors,
• a snowshoe raid in the Vercors,
• a snowshoeing and yoga course in the southern Vercors,
• a New Year's Eve party and snowshoe hikes in the heart of the Vercors massif,
• and a multi-activity winter stay for families in the Vercors.

Program

D1: Die - Corrençon-en-Vercors (1150m) - Roybon lodge (1300m).
Welcome at 11:30 am at Die station, then transfer to Corrençon-en-Vercors.
With snowshoes on our feet, we hike up to the Pas de la Sambue and across the Herbouilly plain. First glimpses of the high plateaus, alternating between open hay meadows and forest ridges. Our first lodge accommodation is particularly well situated.
Walking time: 3 hours, positive altitude difference: 400 meters, negative altitude difference: 200 meters.

D2: Roybon lodge - La Chapelle-en-Vercors (900m).
Heading south, the Darbounouse clearing, the hay meadow of the farmers below, offers us the intimacy of the high plateaus and the conservation area. Hidden away on its slopes, Pot du Play allows us to snowshoe back to the valley of La Chapelle-en-Vercors and our welcoming hotel.
Walking time: 5 hours and a half, D+: 400m, D-: 850m.

D3: La Chapelle-en-Vercors - Vassieux-en-Vercors (1100m).
A short morning transfer takes us to the karst plateau of Font-d'Urle. As its name suggests, conditions here can be particularly difficult in bad weather. A ridge route offers splendid views over the Quint valley, and the ascent of Puy de la Gagère takes us to the Vassieux plateau, where we spend the night in a lodge.
Walking time: 4 hours and a half. D+: 300m, D-: 600m.

D4: Vassieux-en-Vercors - Col du Rousset (1250 m).
The cliffs of the southern Vercors plunge into the Clairette de Die region. Over the Col de Chironne, a summer pasture, the panorama takes us all the way to the Ventoux, and the natural Rousset pass gives us access to the small family resort of the same name. We spend the night in a family guesthouse.
Walking time: 5 hours and a half, D+: 650m, D-: 450m.

D5: Col du Rousset - Chaumailloux (1650m).
A short transfer takes us to the crests of the Beure plateau and into the conservation area. The multitude of itineraries allows us to progress on snowshoes through some of the wildest parts of the high plateaus, with the Dévoluy massif, the Alps and Mont Aiguille as a backdrop! We spend the evening in the old Chaumailloux sheepfold. Waking up in these landscapes takes us back to the days of the trappers!
Walking time: 6 hours, D+: 750m, D-: 600m.
Night in unguarded refuge (no running water, dry toilets).

D6: Chaumailloux - Combeau (1400m).
The Combeau valley, the final destination of our snowshoe trek, can once again be approached via a variety of paths, and the feeling of isolation and unspoilt nature doesn't end until we reach the Combeau inn.
Walking time: 5 hours, D+: 400m, D-: 650m.
Transfer to Die station. Separation at 5pm.

Snow conditions on the Vercors traverse vary throughout the winter and are unpredictable. The walking times given above may be longer, depending on the quantity and quality of the snow. Should the snow fail, I'll still be able to start this tour, as we're hikers first and foremost, and the landscapes of the high plateaus remain splendid in the winter light. In that case, you'll have to carry snowshoes for a while, or do without them sometimes... So make sure you have walking shoes in very good condition.

The price includes

• Supervision by the mountain leader.
• All transfers.
• Accommodation in comfortable lodgings, in small dormitories except on D5 (less comfort).
• Full board for the entire circuit.
• Baggage transfer.
• Loan of snowshoes and hiking poles if necessary.

The price does not include

• Transport to Die, about an hour and a quarter's drive from Valence and 2 hours from Grenoble.
• Drinks.
• Assistance/cancellation insurance unless you have your own one.
• Anything not mentioned in "The price includes".

Accommodation

• 1 night in a ** hotel in a double room.
• 1 night in a guesthouse in a double room.
• 2 nights in a lodge in shared rooms (dormitories).
• 1 night in an unguarded refuge. No showers or running water on this night.

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