Snowshoeing, pulka sledding and bivouacking in the Vercors
In summary
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Sports
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Duration4 days
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LevelConfirmed
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DestinationVercors Massif / Drome
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AgeFrom 18 - 80 years
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CO₂-Emissions17.36 kg CO2
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Type of stayIn a group
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Languages
French
English
In a few words
Discover the Vercors High Plateaus on a 4-day snowshoeing and pulka trek . Immersed in the heart of unspoiled nature, you'll travel through snow-covered expanses , peaceful clearings, and majestic mountain pine forests .
From the Beure plateau, guided by a professional, you haul your equipment in your pulka , your faithful companion in the vast Nordic landscapes. This wild route takes you along panoramic ridges , at the foot of the iconic Mont Aiguille , offering spectacular views of the Alps .
As night approaches, the adventure continues with precious moments of sharing. You'll experience a true winter bivouac , sheltered in a tipi or a mountain cabin . The collective preparation of hearty meals strengthens the group's camaraderie after a day of exertion.
This authentic journey is a timeless interlude, ideal for lovers of wide open spaces seeking reconnection and self-improvement.
The highlights
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4 days of snowshoeing and pulka sledding in the Vercors
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Three nights camping in a tipi in the heart of the High Plateaus
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A wild immersion between Mont Aiguille, ridges and snow-covered forests
Photos
Sport
Level
Snowshoeing
The expert's opinion
- You are able to walk 5 to 7 hours a day
- You do endurance activities at least 2 to 3 times a week
- You can achieve between 600 and 800 meters of positive elevation gain.
- You are comfortable with a 5-8 kg backpack and pulling a pulka.
- You are comfortable skiing off-piste and on steeper slopes.
- Prior experience with snowshoeing or winter hiking is strongly recommended. The difficulty of the trip may vary depending on the weather; snow, wind, or inclement weather can make the expedition more demanding than initially advertised.
In figures
Snowshoes
- Average distance/day: 10 km
- Average daily elevation gain: 458 m
Management
French
English
Being able to live an adventurous, outdoor life has always been on my mind. After completing a "traditional" education and entering the workforce, I quickly realized it wasn't for me. So, I changed course. After five years in a design office, I embarked on a career change and became a guide in as many disciplines as possible that excite me: mountain guide, river guide, climbing instructor, and mountain biking instructor.
Program
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Day 1
- Activity Snowshoes
- Distance 6 km
- Positive elevation gain 410 m
- Accommodation Bivouac / Tent
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
We meet at 10:30 am in the parking lot of the Beure plateau, near the Col du Rousset. After getting to know the group and the guide, we take the time to do a safety briefing and distribute the necessary equipment for the four days.
Around 11 a.m., everyone retrieves their pulka and adjusts their snowshoes before beginning this first, intentionally accessible stage. The goal is to become familiar with the equipment and learn how to pull the pulka while discovering the landscapes of the Vercors High Plateaus. The route crosses several clearings and quickly offers panoramic views.
We reach the Pré Peyret cabin in the afternoon. Once there, we set up camp and the tipi where we'll spend the night. A nearby cabin can provide shelter in case of bad weather. The evening continues with us preparing dinner together and enjoying our first night in the great outdoors.
Day 1 -
Day 2
- Activity Snowshoes
- Distance 13 km
- Positive elevation gain 580 m
- Accommodation Bivouac / Tent
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
After leaving our bivouac, we continued our trek through the Vercors High Plateaus Nature Reserve. This second day immersed us further in the vast open spaces of the massif, with a succession of wide open plains that give the landscape an almost Siberian feel.
We are heading towards the Chaumailloux cabin, located at the foot of Mont Aiguille. Once the pulkas have been left, those who wish can set off on foot towards Tête Chevalière, which rises to 1,959 m, to enjoy a beautiful panorama of the eastern barrier of the Vercors.
If you prefer to relax, you can also stay at the cabin or help set up camp. We end the day with a shared dinner before spending the night in the tipi or the cabin.
Day 2 -
Day 3
- Activity Snowshoes
- Distance 11 km
- Positive elevation gain 540 m
- Accommodation Bivouac / Tent
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
We head back north, following the Parquet rocks, with beautiful views of the Alps throughout the route. As we progress, the landscape changes, giving way to more and more mountain pine forests, characteristic of the Vercors High Plateaus.
After descending via the Pas des Chattons, we continue to the Plaine de la Plante. This offers an opportunity to observe the Grand Veymont mountain range and, with a bit of luck, to spot wolf tracks in the snow.
This third stage is the longest of the journey, but it doesn't present any particular technical difficulties. Its main advantage is the opportunity to discover the wide variety of landscapes traversed since the beginning of the trip.
Day 3 -
Day 4
- Activity Snowshoes
- Distance 7 km
- Positive elevation gain 300 m
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
For this final day, we change direction and resume our route southwards, across the vast open spaces of the plateau. We stop for a picnic lunch along the ridges, overlooking the Die valley.
The relatively flat terrain is particularly well-suited to pulka travel, which glides easily over the snow. We then continue our crossing, following the ridges overlooking the Diois valley. When visibility is good, Mont Ventoux can even be seen on the horizon.
A final descent eventually leads us to the Beure plateau, where we return to our starting point. After packing up our equipment and having a quick debriefing, we conclude this adventure with a friendly get-together, perhaps with a hot chocolate to end the trip.
Day 4
Note
Distances and durations are given as a guide and may vary depending on the weather, snow conditions and the pace of the group.
Accommodation
We provide all the necessary winter camping equipment: four-season tents, a cold-weather sleeping bag, and a self-inflating mattress per person. We also include a large communal tent (tipi) with a wood-burning stove and all the cooking equipment needed.
Access
Go to the starting point
Beure Parking (Free): This is the arrival point itself. This very large, uncovered, outdoor public parking lot is 100% free and open 24/7. It is ideally suited for long-term parking at the start of hikes.
Price details
The price includes
- The trip will be supervised by a qualified mountain guide.
- All meals from dinner on Day 1 to picnic lunch on Day 4
- Camping equipment: tents, self-inflating mattresses, individual cold-weather sleeping bags
- A communal tipi tent with a wood-burning stove and the necessary cooking equipment
- Loan of snowshoes, poles and pulka (1 pulka for 2 people)
The price does not include
- Round-trip transportation to the meeting point
- Day 1 picnic
- Drinks and personal expenses
- Anything not listed under "Price includes"
Options
- The night before : CHF118.92 / unit
- Additional night at the end of your stay : CHF118.92 / unit
- Flex fare and insurance
Practical information
Specific formalities
Specifics
Before your departure, check with the embassy or consulate regarding the entry and stay requirements for your destination country. You can also find this information on the France Diplomatie website ( https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/dossiers-pays/ ).
In the case of flights with stopovers operated by different airlines, also check the entry requirements of the countries you are transiting through.
It is your responsibility to ensure you are in compliance, particularly regarding the validity of your identity documents (for example, some countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after your return) , visa requirements, necessary vaccinations, and health recommendations. And don't forget to consider any customs restrictions and other potential requirements of your destination or transit country.
ℹ️ Information may change up to the departure date, remember to regularly check official websites.
Equipment
Equipment provided on site
- All winter camping equipment is provided: four-season tents, a cold-weather sleeping bag, and a self-inflating sleeping mat per person. We also include a large communal tent (tipi) with a wood-burning stove and the necessary cooking equipment.
- Snowshoeing equipment (poles and snowshoes) and pulka (1 for 2 people)
