The precinct
The Vercors is a mountain range in the west of the French Alps, around 150 kilometres south of Geneva. Imposing gorges alternate with massive mountain massifs and bizarre rocky ridges. The massif looks like a protective fortress created by nature, its steep rock faces rising like walls from the Drac, Isère and Drôme river valleys. Grenoble, situated at the northern end of the Vercors, is the best-known town. The lonely high valleys of the Vercors are framed by rugged mountain ranges and furrowed by deep gorges. The highest peaks are on the eastern side of the massif: La Grande Moucherolle (2284 m), Le Grand Veymont (2341 m) and the famous Mont Aiguille (2086 m). Vultures and eagles circle above the peaks. Deer, ibex, roe deer, mouflon and wild boar enliven the otherwise deserted area. The extensive Hauts Plateaux in the south-east are unique in Europe: rugged rock formations, sinkholes, sinkholes, gullies and bizarre trees tanned by the weather give this strictly protected landscape its unmistakable character.
Tour character
Mountain bikers will find nature trails of all levels of difficulty between extensive high plateaus and mountain ranges. There are no general restrictions, but there are a few locally closed hiking trails. In the Réserve naturelle des Hauts Plateaux nature reserve, it is strictly forbidden to cycle outside the designated routes. Guided tours are available here: Bike guide David Boudin, www.aufildeslumieres.com and Arcanson (e.g. Trans-Vercors with luggage transport), www.arcanson.com
Bike parks The bike parks of Autrans, Col de Rousset and Villard-de-Lans offer extra downhill fun with a lift. The latter organises a bike festival every year. Info: www.velovertfestival.com and www.vercors-drome.com
You can download the complete travel report "France: Vercors" with the three best bike tours from BIKE 1/2021 as a PDF in the download area below.
The area guide costs 1.99 euros. Inside you will find the BIKE web code, which will take you to the download of the free GPS data for these tours.
1st French Canada - the Hauts Plateaux
35.7 km / 1400 m elevation gain / riding time: 6 hours / moderately difficult. From Rousset up to the high plateau and on the only authorised MTB route through the nature reserve.
2nd Les Coulmes
29 km / 1175 metres difference in altitude / riding time: 5 hours / medium to difficult. Through the dense beech forests of the north with views from the abrupt cliffs. Challenging rocky trails!
3rd Molière plateau
38 km / 1190 m elevation gain / riding time: 6 hours / medium to difficult. Classic tour over the mountain ranges of Autrans with the Bellecombe at the end, a five kilometre long trail descent from La Molière to Autrans. Probably the best descent in the Vercors.
