Walking and well-being cocktail in the Vercors

Hiking and wellness cocktail in the Vercors
France

Wellness

Nature

A must for star trekking in a very charming region, away from the main tourist routes! The sumptuous Archiane cirque and the bucolic Combeau valley, the astonishing Borne lollipops, the high plateaus and their Nature Reserve and finally the Trièves with the spectacular Mont-Aiguille.

The scent of lavender and pine trees, picturesque villages, little-known vineyards and well-preserved flora and fauna.

Your accommodation is beautifully situated in the foothills of the plateau, offering a swimming pool, sauna, billiards, tennis and massages. You can also enjoy home-made dishes made from local and seasonal products.

From

955€

Length of stay

6 days / 5 nights 7 to 12 May - 21 to 26 May - 18 to 23 June - 3 to 8 September - 17 to 22 September - 8 to 13 October and 22 to 27 October 2023

Minimum number of participants

group of 5 to 8 people

Highlights

Combine culture and nature!

Breathtaking panoramas!

Guided walk.

Programme
Rates
Practical information
The human trip plus

Day 1

Die - Valcroissant - Les Nonnières station (850 m.)

Les Balcons du Paradis

Welcome at Die station at 12.15pm. On the way to the Haut-Diois, we will make a detour to the Cistercian abbey of Valcroissant founded in the 12th century. Hike on the "Balcons du Paradis". Transfer to Les Nonnières. Check-in at the Mont Barral hotel for 5 nights.

3 hours walking. M and D: 350 m.

Day 2

Cirque d'Archiane (1100 m.)

Legging!

A day of warm-up in the Archiane cirque. Discovery of this fabulous place - a climbing mecca in the 1960s and a listed site - where ibexes were reintroduced in 1989. Walk along the educational trail, waterfalls, Tournières caves, observation of the nests of vultures and golden eagles...

4 hours walking. M and D: 400 m.

Day 3

Mount Barral (1903 m.)

Between Drôme and Isère

Climb Mont-Barral, which dominates the village and lends its name to our hotel. The views are breathtaking over the Oisans and Dévoluy massifs. The itinerary takes place on the ridge that separates the Drôme from the Isère. Descent via the ridge and the Jiboui pass through magnificent pastures full of flowers and occupied by transhumant sheep. Visit of the goat farm and cheese tasting with Michel Orand, a passionate breeder.

4 to 5 hours walking. M and D: 500 m.

Day 4

Combeau Valley (1951 m.)

The Vercors Highlands

The Vallon de Combeau is best known for its exceptional flora. In any season, it is a good place to walk and is used by families looking for a nice picnic spot as well as by experienced hikers who want to discover the particular atmosphere of the Vercors high plateaus. We will probably go as far as the tête Chevalière, a spectacular viewpoint on the Mont-Aiguille, the emblematic summit of the Vercors.

5 to 6 hours walking. M and D: 600 m.

Day 5

Font d'Urle plateau (1651 m.)

Let's talk geology!

This time we move away from our base camp to discover the western part of the Vercors. Transfer of 1h30 to Vassieux-en-Vercors. Hike on the Font d'Urle plateau - a vast karstic plateau - Partial walk on the interpretation trail on the theme of geology and ascent of the Puy de la Gagère which dominates the Quint valley and the Diois and is home to chamois and mouflons. Optional visit to the museum of the resistance. Return to Les Nonnières via Die for a visit and tasting of the Clairette de Die at the Jaillance cellar.

Day 6

returning to Chatillon en Diois - Die station

Borne's lollipops

Hike to the "sucettes de borne", geological curiosities, and to the refuge de la Tour, a superb place located at the foot of the Bellemotte Mountain. Guided tour of the medieval village of Châtillon-en-Diois by a "local guide" and a biodynamic wine tasting at the Maupas estate.

4 hours walking. M and D: 500 m.

Return to Die station and separation at 5pm.

Price: €955

Based on small groups of 5 to 8 people

The price includes :

half-board accommodation (based on double room) at the Mont Barral Hotel
- access to the hotel's wellness facilities
- picnics prepared by the guide
- the supervision of a mountain leader for the whole week
- transfers by minibus
- a visit to Châtillon-en-Diois by a "local guide".
- visits and tastings at the Cave Jaillance (Clairette) in Die and the Domaine de Maupas (Jérôme Cayol's vineyard) in Châtillon-en-Diois

Not included:

beverages
- assistance - cancellation - interruption of stay" insurance
- any massages offered by the Mont Barral hotel at an additional cost
- other museum visits (Resistance, Prehistory, Die...)

Comfort

Day hikes of moderate level. 4 to 6 hours of walking per day, with a positive difference in altitude of 400 to 600 metres.

Climate and equipment

- Breathable underwear
- A fleece jacket
- A waterproof and breathable jacket
- Trekking trousers
- A cap
- A cap or hat
- Sunglasses
- A pair of gloves
- A rain cape
- A water bottle (or water bag, pipette)

Footwear and technical equipment

- Waterproof footwear with a high upper and good grip sole
- A headlamp
- Telescopic walking sticks (optional)

Pharmacy

- A small individual pharmacy to be validated with your doctor: sun cream, adhesive tape and double skin, antidiarrhoeal, analgesic, eye drops, cough medicine, broad spectrum antibiotics, tweezers, personal medication.

Luggage

- A backpack with a capacity of 30 to 40 litres, for your daily needs

Various

- A change of clothes
- Lightweight shoes for the stage
- A swimming costume
- A spare pair of shoelaces
- A toilet bag and a bath towel
- Toilet paper
- A pocket knife
- A little "tupperware" for salad-based picnics
- Some plastic bags to protect your belongings
- A needle and thread
- An anti-theft pouch, to keep with you at all times, with your identity papers, money and insurance certificates.

Formalities

your good mood and your legs!

The + humans trip

- a cocktail of day trips that are totally off the beaten track
- the peaceful atmosphere of the places visited
- the quality of accommodation and catering
- the diversity of the proposed hikes: a very different setting every day!