Circular route on the Vassieux plateau

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This circular walk, starting from Vassieux and taking you round the plateau, will take you past the National Resistance Necropolis, the ruins of an old windmill and some lovely, easy paths, all with very little elevation gain.

Details

n°107537726
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.82 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 20 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 299 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 282 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 3,615 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 3,415 ft
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Photos

Path leading to the old water mills
The chapel
The Vassieux plateau
Les Fours

Description of the walk

This route starts in the centre of the village on the Place des Martyrs, opposite the church entrance. There are a few parking spaces in the village centre. Further parking is available at the roadside near the point (1).

(S/E) Cross the square heading east, go down a few steps and turn left onto Avenue du Mémorial. On leaving the village, you’ll reach the car parks (for cars and motorhomes).

(1) Turn left onto the wide track through the fields. After about 150 m, the track narrows to a mere trail through the grass, then becomes a better-marked path leading to the site of the old watermills (information boards).

(2) Follow the wide path to the right towards the necropolis (information boards).

(3) Head down to the right to the D178 road, cross it carefully and take the path opposite towards La Grande Peyrouse.

(4) Turn left towards the Col de la Mure. After about 800 m, cross the small road (Route du Château) and continue straight on to the hamlet of La Mure.

(5) Turn right (towards Le Sapin d’Aimé) to see the ruins of two old windmills (information boards).

(6) Retrace your steps.

(5) Take the small road on the right towards La Chapelle-en-Vercors. After 200 m, turn right onto the wide track, still heading towards La Chapelle-en-Vercors. Reach the Gros la Vache crossroads.

(7) Carry on straight ahead towards Les Cheneviers. At this junction, turn right towards Les Fours.

(8) Turn right onto the GRP®, heading due south towards Font l’Étrat.

(9) Follow the path on the right towards Vassieux. Reach the Sapin d’Aimé crossroads.

(10) Carry on straight ahead towards Vassieux. You’ll reach the Sables junction.

(11) Take the path on the right towards Vassieux. Continue along this track for a further 1 km and keep an eye out for a slightly less marked path on the left.

(12) Turn left between the trees. 200 metres further on, cross a small road and carry on straight ahead until you reach the Côte Belle junction.

(13) Turn right and you’ll soon reach Le Bouchet.

(14) Turn left and head towards Pisse Chien.

(15) Turn right towards Les Bourgets (Bourgées on IGN maps). At this junction, continue along the same path to the village of Vassieux (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 3,465 ft - Place des Martyrs
  2. 1 : mi 0.17 - alt. 3,422 ft - Car parks
  3. 2 : mi 0.47 - alt. 3,474 ft - Old water mills
  4. 3 : mi 0.94 - alt. 3,497 ft - Nécropole nationale (Vassieux-en-Vercors)
  5. 4 : mi 1.22 - alt. 3,455 ft - La Grande Peyrouse
  6. 5 : mi 2.33 - alt. 3,563 ft - La Mure
  7. 6 : mi 2.48 - alt. 3,579 ft - Old windmills
  8. 7 : mi 3.65 - alt. 3,596 ft - Goodness me!
  9. 8 : mi 4.43 - alt. 3,451 ft - Les Fours
  10. 9 : mi 4.86 - alt. 3,419 ft - Font l’Étrat - Col du Souillet (1106m)
  11. 10 : mi 5.55 - alt. 3,471 ft - Aimé’s fir tree
  12. 11 : mi 5.8 - alt. 3,461 ft - Les Sables
  13. 12 : mi 6.48 - alt. 3,458 ft - Path on the left amongst the trees
  14. 13 : mi 7.02 - alt. 3,484 ft - Cote Belle
  15. 14 : mi 7.23 - alt. 3,468 ft - Le Bouchet
  16. 15 : mi 7.81 - alt. 3,465 ft - Dog toilet
  17. S/E : mi 8.82 - alt. 3,465 ft - Place des Martyrs

Notes

IBP = 39

There are no water points on this route.

No technical difficulties. No special equipment required.

Worth a visit

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