Col de Neurre from Malleval-en-Vercors

An alternative to another hike, the Gerlette Waterfall and Col de Neurre, which follows the same route out but takes a different route back, minimising the amount of road walking.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.93 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 20 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 782 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 778 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,233 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 788 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Start from the car park at the Malleval-en-Vercors campsite.

(S/E) Head north-east down towards the waterfall.

(1) Cross the stream, continue along the path past the cave and reach a junction

(2) Take the path climbing to the right and follow the stream to the Gerlette Waterfall.

(3) Head back down the same path.

(2) Continue to the right until you reach a fork

(4) Turn right, go under the house and follow the path winding uphill to the junction with another path.

(5) Take the sharp left turn at the fountain, pass in front of a shelter and take the path climbing to the right to join another trail at La Patte de Poule.

(6) Follow the path opposite as it climbs. When you reach the small road, pass in front of Les Bachieux on the left whilst continuing uphill, and carry on for about 50 m.

(7) Turn onto the signposted path on the right leading up to the Col de Neurre and admire the view.

(8) Take the return route along the same path as the outward journey until you reach...

(5) Continue straight on, cross the stream and continue uphill to the right. A magnificent path that takes you past the Cascade de la Gerlette. Continue to Tonnière.

(9) After this point, join a small road that climbs and
follow it. Pass the Évêque crossroads, staying on this small road, and you’ll come to a path on the right.

(10) Take this path, which descends to the right, until you reach the village via the church and the cemetery.

(11) Turn right to reach the campsite car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 935 m - Malleval-en-Vercors campsite
  2. 1 : km 0.75 - alt. 861 m - Stream
  3. 2 : km 1.28 - alt. 804 m - Access to the Gerlette Waterfall
  4. 3 : km 2.05 - alt. 1,002 m - Cascade de Gerlette
  5. 4 : km 3.34 - alt. 843 m - Junction
  6. 5 : km 4.72 - alt. 1,055 m - Fountain
  7. 6 : km 5.06 - alt. 1,111 m - La Patte de Poule
  8. 7 : km 5.84 - alt. 1,192 m - Marked uphill path
  9. 8 : km 6.24 - alt. 1,233 m - Col de Neurre
  10. 9 : km 9.12 - alt. 1,039 m - Tonnière
  11. 10 : km 10.14 - alt. 1,017 m - Junction on the path
  12. 11 : km 10.82 - alt. 943 m - Church and cemetery
  13. S/E : km 10.93 - alt. 935 m - Malleval-en-Vercors campsite

Notes

This walk, similar to another on this site, minimises the time spent on the road by taking a magnificent path overlooking the large waterfall. Take walking poles to help you keep your balance when crossing streams.

Worth a visit

Head to the large waterfall, which is particularly worth seeing in winter when it’s frozen over.

Reviews and comments

4.4 / 5
Based on 6 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.2 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.3 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
mb300d85
mb300d85

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 02, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent spot, surprisingly quiet (the road must have something to do with it). The stated elevation gain seems overestimated to me: my GPS recorded 570 m. For the return journey after the walk, those who find the descent through the Gorges du Nan daunting (as it’s difficult to pass other walkers there...) can continue the climb above Malleval to take the road to Saint-Pierre de Chérennes, which is much wider and offers a superb view over the Isère valley.

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69729902
69729902

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 14, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk, almost entirely in the shade under the trees in the forest. Took 4½ hours. The waterfall is stunning.
At several points we weren’t sure which way to go based on the description, but we followed the logic of the map.

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piroulie
piroulie

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 27, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A brilliant hike – the detour to the waterfall is definitely worth it as it’s absolutely stunning. We did the walk at the end of April when it was rainy, so everything was very green. It’s mainly through woodland, with very well-marked paths and wide trails; the climb is very gentle and presents no difficulty.

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toposrandos
toposrandos

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 29, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

We had thick fog in the morning, but we enjoyed the walk all the same!

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meco
meco

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 01, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Starting point: Malleval campsite
Head towards La Tessonnière. A lovely path leading down through the woods.
When you reach the sign for La Tessonnière, pass the climbing site and another path on the right, and follow the main path downwards. The yellow/green markings are half-faded but can still be found.
At the junction by the waterfall (not signposted), you can either make a return trip to the waterfall or cross the small stone bridge and follow the path uphill on the other side of the bridge.
Towards La Picotière
From Chez Rochas, the path is better signposted and marked in yellow and red.
The rest of the description is accurate but sometimes too brief; more detail wouldn’t go amiss.

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thixel
thixel

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 06, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk, but don’t go specifically for the waterfall, as there was only a trickle of water when I went. On the way back, there was a bit too much tarmac, so I took the back roads to enjoy the woodland.
Thanks to the author for the route!

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