La Jarjatte Valley, secret hikes

At the very top of the commune of Lus-la-Croix-Haute, the Battants alpine pastures stretch across vast meadows whose panoramic ridges open onto the Trièves region, the eastern edge of the Vercors massif, and the Dévoluy mountains. Montagne du Chevalet is one of the many peaks in this area, characterized by its gentle slopes and sweeping vistas. It forms a beautiful pyramid of alpine meadows dotted with mountain pines. It's an ideal vantage point from which to get acquainted with the area and begin our stay.

Located in the heart of the village, the Pic de l'Aigle is an unmissable viewpoint offering panoramic views of the entire area, including the Dolomite cirque of La Jarjatte and its spectacular peaks. This beautiful hike, starting from the gîte, follows an old path, the secret of which was passed down through generations, and leads to the ridges overlooking the hamlet of La Jarjatte. The return journey takes you over a lovely mountain pass at the very top of the Vallauris gorges.

Our hike begins in a deep beech-fir forest, managed for seven centuries by the Carthusian monks of Durbon. This precious heritage gives this nearly 5,000-hectare area of ​​pristine nature its rich diversity of tree species and abundant wildlife. A little higher up, the tall trees give way to mountain pines and the high-altitude grasslands typical of the Dévoluy region. These grasslands are home to thriving populations of chamois that have made their home on the steep slopes of the Garnesier, which overlooks our route. These places, far removed from the crowds, are perhaps the most captivating in the region.

A grand tour to discover the protected La Jarjatte valley awaits us today. First, we head towards the Buëch springs to reach the spectacular alpine pastures of the La Jarjatte valley at the foot of the highest point in the Drôme and the Vercors Regional Natural Park, Rocher-Rond (2453 meters). A beautiful balcony trail allows us to fully appreciate this vast cirque of cliffs with their distinctly Dolomite-like profiles. Then, after a picnic by the stream, we cross to the left bank of the valley to reach the Permafrost of the Combe Obscure: a very special place where the ground beneath our feet never thaws... A small area rich in geological and botanical discoveries!

More than just a hike, today we're embarking on a journey into the region's ancient history. We're heading to the hamlet of Vaunière. A beautiful hike, with a more southern feel, takes us to the edge of the Haut-Diois. We leave the GR (long-distance hiking trail) to follow a very discreet path that winds along the base of a high cliff. It leads us to the entrance of a vast and comfortable cave: La Tune de la Varaime. The site is a listed historical monument for two reasons. The first is that it served as a shelter for flocks for millennia, used by the first shepherds of our region. The second is due to the thousands of small engravings that adorn its ceiling: this multitude of geometric shapes carved in the stone testifies to religious practices that predate, or were just contemporary with, the arrival of the Romans. Today's hike is not only beautiful, but also rich in discoveries and emotions.

Your stay ends after breakfast. We will arrange your departure and any necessary transfer to the train station at your preferred time. Your rooms will be vacated, but the common areas will remain accessible until your departure.