Trekking and bivouacking on the Vercors high plateaus
In summary
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Sports
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Duration3 days
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LevelAdvance
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DestinationFrench Alps / Vercors Massif
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AgeFrom 12 - 90 years
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CO₂-Emissions15.44 kg CO2
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Type of stayIn a group
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Languages
French
In a few words
This bivouac trek on the Vercors High Plateaus is an immersive, self-sufficient experience in an exceptional setting. Easily accessible from Grenoble train station, the meeting point is Clelles train station in the beautiful Trièves region. We'll welcome you there and organize your first night in the friendly atmosphere of a Trièves farmhouse. The site is located below the spectacular Mont Aiguille, one of the seven wonders of the Dauphiné . After a convivial evening, we'll set off early the next morning to reach the High Plateaus. Here we are in the heart of the largest nature reserve in mainland France. Amidst alpine meadows and mountain pines, and in this landscape of spectacular cliffs, a kingdom of ibex, the change of scenery is complete . In this enchanting location, we'll leave our bivouac equipment and continue our exploration before returning to organize the evening. The third day is dedicated to climbing the highest peak in the Vercors massif: the Grand Veymont. We will arrive in time to admire the sunrise over the Trièves and the Vercors before returning to the valley for the early afternoon.
The highlights
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A unique bivouac experience in the largest nature reserve in the Alps
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The ascent of the Grand Veymont at 2,341 m altitude
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Learning self-reliance while camping, guided by an expert
Photos
Sport
Level
Hiking / Trekking
The expert's opinion
The hikes on this self-guided trek take place in mountainous terrain. The trip is suitable for people in good physical condition. It is necessary to have:
- regular sports activities or hiking,
- a physical condition allowing one to walk regularly at an average pace of 300m of positive elevation gain per hour excluding breaks.
- sufficient balance and motor skills to progress safely on uneven, sloping terrain and which may include off-trail sections.
- Do not hesitate to contact us if you have any doubts.
In figures
Hiking
- Average duration/day: 4h
- Average distance/day: 8 km
- Average daily elevation gain: 455 m
- Average daily descent: 425 m
Management
French
For 20 years, Jean-Marc Jacquet has been based in the protected valley of La Jarjatte, where he has designed hiking trips to showcase the exceptional potential of the region: Dévoluy, Southern Vercors, Trièves, Buëch, and Haut-Diois. Several decades of mountaineering and 15 years of experience as a Mountain Guide have given him countless anecdotes to share about his passion: the mountains. Geology, prehistory, fauna, flora, local life… 180 days a year, he leads you on the trails with the same enthusiasm for sharing and conviviality.
Program
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Arrival in the Trièves region and first evening at the foot of Mont-Aiguille
- Transportation Minibus - 00h10 - 10km
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 3h
- Distance 8 km
- Positive elevation gain 250 m
- Negative elevation 250 m
- Accommodation Bivouac / Tent
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
We welcome you from 3:30 pm at Clelles train station, in the Trièves region , 40 minutes from Grenoble. You'll be at the foot of Mont Aiguille , an iconic landmark. After a short drive of about 10 minutes, we'll reach a traditional Trièves farm . We'll set up camp and pack our bags for the next day before enjoying a pleasant evening around a campfire. This is your first comfortable bivouac, complete with showers and toilets!
Day 1 -
Ascent to the Vercors high plateaus and bivouac at the foot of the Grand-Veymont
- Transportation Minibus - 00h25 - 20km
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 4h
- Distance 5 km
- Positive elevation gain 800 m
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 3h
- Distance 8 km
- Positive elevation gain 250 m
- Negative elevation 250 m
- Accommodation Bivouac / Tent
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
A short transfer takes us to the foot of the North Pillar of Mont Aiguille , the starting point for a superb hike. The somewhat challenging ascent leads to the High Plateaus , offering unique landscapes reminiscent of Japanese gardens and Arctic tundra . Here you'll discover the largest nature reserve in mainland France . Bags are left at the bivouac site.
For those who wish, a leisurely exploration allows you to discover remarkable places such as the Queyrie plain and the Rochers du Parquet . Back at camp, the late afternoon is spent setting up tents and organizing the evening under the stars.
Day 2 -
Ascent of the Grand Veymont and sunrise over the Vercors
- Transportation Minibus - 00h15 - 15km
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Distance 11 km
- Positive elevation gain 520 m
- Negative elevation 1200 m
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
After an early wake-up call, before sunrise, and a quick snack, we begin the ascent of the Grand Veymont, the highest peak in the Vercors massif. The nighttime climb, illuminated by headlamps, is a wonderful experience. Reaching the summit, we share a hot drink while admiring the sunrise over the Écrins and Dévoluy mountains. We return to the lodge for breakfast and to prepare for the descent. We arrive back at Clelles train station in the early afternoon, depending on the train schedules of those traveling by train.
Day 3
Note
PROGRAM CHANGE
For organizational reasons, weather conditions or the fitness of participants, we may need to adapt the program to ensure your safety and the success of the stay.
ALTERNATIVE IN CASE OF UNFAVORABLE WEATHER
This program is weather dependent. To ensure the success of your weekend, we may decide on the following alternatives:
- Overnight stays in unguarded shelters instead of bivouacking in tents.
- Change of destination to a nearby mountain range with more favorable weather.
In these different scenarios, we will do our best to adapt the program to your transport constraints if possible.
Accommodation
The bivouac site is located in the heart of a protected area (national nature reserve), allowing this activity with the utmost respect for nature. We aim to minimize the impact of our activities and ensure they are in harmony with this fragile environment. To this end, we must limit waste production on site and prioritize the use of eco-friendly hygiene products. Water availability is also limited to springs that must be protected from any pollution.
Access
We can significantly adjust the program to ensure you arrive on time for your return train. Please contact us for details.
Go to the starting point
We will meet you at 3:30 pm at Clelles train station on the first day.
- From Paris: take a TGV to Grenoble (approximately 3 hours).
- From Grenoble: In Grenoble, take a TER towards Gap and get off at Clelles-Mens station (approximately 1 hour).
We will meet you at 3:30 pm at Clelles train station on the first day.
- From Paris: take the A6 motorway towards Lyon, then the A7 towards Valence. Next, take the A49 towards Grenoble and exit at junction 12 towards Monestier-de-Clermont/Clelles. Follow the D1075 to Clelles.
- From Grenoble: take the A51 towards Sisteron and exit at Monestier-de-Clermont. Continue on the D1075 to Clelles
Price details
The price includes
- Full board stay
- Accommodation in shared tents, in a bivouac
- Supervision by a state-certified guide
- The animations described
- Camping equipment: tent, sleeping mat and bag, stove, cutlery
The price does not include
- Day 1 picnic
- Drinks
- Personal expenses
- Any shuttle services during the stay
- Transfer from your departure location to your accommodation
Options
- Individual tent : CHF27.44 / person
- Flex fare and insurance
Practical information
Specific formalities
Specifics
- Your identity documents.
- Your health insurance card.
- A health and contact information form will be given to you upon arrival: you will keep it in your backpack.
Equipment
Equipment provided on site
- Tents: 1 or 2 person
- Duvets and mattresses
- Cutlery and equipment for meals: stove, utensils, etc.
- Walking sticks
- Various equipment: water filtration system, survival blankets, whistles, ziploc bags
Equipment to bring
Hiking backpack:
It must be at least 50 litres (or 40+10 L with an extension).
It must include straps and external compartments for hanging and distributing equipment.
Consider using a waterproof rain cover if your backpack is not equipped with one.
Your equipment:
- Hiking boots (high or low) with soles in good condition
- A water bottle, a waterproof pouch, or a plastic bottle, with a volume equivalent to 1.5 liters of water.
- A sleeping bag liner or sleeping bag liner
- A pair of very lightweight sneakers or Crocs-type shoes
- Sunscreen, lip balm, and sunglasses
- A headlamp that is either charged or has new batteries.
- A smartphone, a charger, and a small external battery
Clothing to bring
- Water-repellent summer hiking trousers and lightweight waterproof over-trousers
- Footless tights or lightweight stockings (like sweatpants) for evenings and nights
- A short
- A technical t-shirt (preferably mohair wool or equivalent)
- A cotton t-shirt (for nighttime)
- A thin, long-sleeved undershirt
- A lightweight fleece jacket or a light down jacket
- A mid-season Gore-Tex type waterproof jacket with a hood
- A spare pair of socks
- Spare underwear
- A pair of thin gloves and a hat
