Circular route on the Allières plateau

A circular route starting from Lans-en-Vercors, with an immediate climb to the little-known Combe du Crêt. This route, which is straightforward to follow, is ideal for exploring the mid-altitude areas of Lans-en-Vercors. You pass through Les Allières and La Sierre, returning to Lans-en-Vercors via the picturesque hamlet of Les Jeux.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 12.06 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 10 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 593 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 592 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,457 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,026 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Start from Lans-en-Vercors, at the top of the village in the hamlet of Les Jailleux (1075m), Impasse des Sources. This cul-de-sac begins at a small square with a fountain. Space for 5 or 6 vehicles.

(S/E) Follow the signs for “La Grande Fontaine” and “Pic Saint-Michel”. The tarmac road gives way to a path that leads to the top of the ski lift. Follow the sign for “La Grande Fontaine”.

(1) Walk over the ski lift, admire the rocky outcrop, then take the path that leads into the woodland. 500m further on, you’ll cross “Le Pré de l’Aigle”, a clearing equipped with tables and benches. Another 600 metres and the path widens before leading to Rue de la Grande Fontaine (1070m).

(2) Turn left and head uphill towards “Pic Saint-Michel” – “Combe du Crêt”. You’ll pass between two traditional houses; the path becomes a forest track and climbs… rather steeply. The markings are very clear, in yellow and light green. At the top of the climb, which is about 1 km long, you cross a large clearing and then head back under the fir trees to meet a path marked in yellow and red.

(3) Turn right at the junction; the wooden signpost indicates “Les Barnets”. You are now on the Quatre Montagnes trail (marked in yellow and red).

(4) You arrive at the edge of the Les Barnets car park (1,266m). Continue straight along the path, following the signs for “Pic Saint-Michel” – “Auberge des Allières”.

(5) Once you reach the top of the Auberge des Allières, take the sharp left-hand bend onto the path leading gently down towards La Sierre. There are no signs for “La Sierre” at this point.

(6) At the barrier for the La Sierre cross-country ski area (1375m), head up the wide, unpaved road to the right towards the ski resort car park. Walk down the resort’s tarmac car park to the 1380m mark (La Sierre ski lift), then, facing you, follow the path passing beneath the other two ski lifts (purple snowshoe markings).

(7) At the fork 200m after the last ski lift (“de la combe des Virets”), leave the wide path leading up to the “Vertige des Cimes” footbridge and take the path on your left, signposted from a sign reading “Itinéraire obligatoire – Les Jeux”. This more pleasant path winds its way up in four hairpin bends until you reach a fork with the same wide “Vertige des Cimes” path.

(8) Turn left for about 40 metres, then, on your left, take the path marked with white snowshoes on a mauve background (“trail no. 1”) without paying attention to the White Cross and Red Cross. You will arrive at Pas de la Tinette (1,470m).

(9) Facing you, slightly to the left, take the exceptional, short descent between the jagged rocks, heading towards “Lans en Vercors” and “Les Jeux”. Once you reach the hamlet of Les Jeux (1370m), continue following the signs for “Lans en Vercors”, turning left just at the foot of a ruined barn. The descent presents no difficulty. However, do follow the yellow and red markings carefully: at the final fork, take the path on the right.

(10) When you reach the hamlet of “Furon”, you will find yourself facing an old house at No. 141, and to your left is a large, striking house with a new roof, whose covered car park is on the upper floor! Take the path back to Lans, which goes round this house in an anti-clockwise direction. The path down from this spot is often damp; water runs across the path and fosters wet meadow grasses.

(11) You’ll reach the tarmac road (elevation 1091m), which you cross immediately to join the path marked in yellow and red on a road sign. You’ll now descend along a path between the left-hand side of the tarmac road and the Furon stream. At the École d'Escalade (1066m), follow signs for "Lans en Vercors". Cross a clearing and, just beyond it, do not go more than 10 metres up the forest track to the left; do not go past the chain.

(12) Take the path on the right that leads back down to the banks of the Furon (yellow and red markings), a path that starts next to a very ugly green metal hut, making it very easy to spot. The path crosses a bridge and leads into a small lane which in turn joins the road to Lans-en-Vercors. Turn left, follow the road back to your starting point and then to your car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,026 m - Impasse des Fontaines
  2. 1 : km 0.36 - alt. 1,063 m - Rocky outcrop at the top of the ski lift
  3. 2 : km 1.3 - alt. 1,069 m - Rue des Grandes Fontaines
  4. 3 : km 2.35 - alt. 1,251 m - GRP des Quatre Montagnes, turn right
  5. 4 : km 3.23 - alt. 1,277 m - Barnets car park, straight ahead along the - Furon (rivière)
  6. 5 : km 4.66 - alt. 1,443 m - Inn - Refuge des Alliéres
  7. 6 : km 6.62 - alt. 1,362 m - Barrier: head up the road to the right
  8. 7 : km 8.16 - alt. 1,394 m - Take the path on the left (compulsory route)
  9. 8 : km 8.75 - alt. 1,446 m - Fork in the road: keep left
  10. 9 : km 9.03 - alt. 1,455 m - Pas de la Tinette
  11. 10 : km 10.81 - alt. 1,118 m - The path goes round the house
  12. 11 : km 11.2 - alt. 1,092 m - Cross the tarmac road immediately
  13. 12 : km 11.54 - alt. 1,071 m - Slight difficulty with navigation. Take the path
  14. S/E : km 12.06 - alt. 1,026 m - Impasse des Fontaines

Notes

Walking boots (high-top) and walking poles are recommended due to the slopes. In spring, there is quite a lot of water in the valley, from the hamlet of "Furon" to the tarmac road towards Lans. (Hence the need for high-top boots)
Drinking water available in Lans-en-Vercors.
You can stop at the Lodge des Allières during the season. If you time it right, you’ll be at Les Allières for lunch or a snack!

Parking is easier and recommended at the multi-purpose hall car park, Avenue Léopold Fabre.

Worth a visit

The countryside (the hamlets known as "Les Jeux" and "Le Furon").
The lower part of the resort of Lans-en-Vercors.
The village of Lans-en-Vercors, an essential stop to rest at the end of the walk.
The automaton museum in Lans-en-Vercors – wonderful!
The Lodge des Allières, by reservation, serves excellent food.

Reviews and comments

4.3 / 5
Based on 6 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.3 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.3 / 5
Route interest
4.3 / 5
lido38
lido38

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 22, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The signposting isn’t always there, but it’s a lovely walk all the same, though there aren’t many views.

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samuel romey
samuel romey

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 02, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

All in all, a pleasant and scenic hike.
A few difficulties finding our way as we approached the ski resort (car park, ski lift).
Thanks for the guide.

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edwz69
edwz69

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 24, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing

Good description of the hike. The route is a bit disappointing as there are a lot of wide tracks, as well as some road sections, and few views.
Thanks for the guide

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mahico
mahico

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 11, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

'A little shorter than advertised (4 hours without walking quickly), with ascents and descents totalling 600 metres. No breathtaking views, but a very pleasant walk and... well done on the route description – it’s very detailed.''

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Sophie Rattier
Sophie Rattier

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 05, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Very pleasant.

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michel7138
michel7138

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 22, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

a lovely walk

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