La Coche - the Roman quarries - Le Pas des Chattons - La Coche

Starting from the Maison Forestière de la Coche, in a magnificent setting, take a long tour of the Vercors highlands via the Plaine de la Queyrie, see the Roman quarries and the carved tree, and encounter (without disturbing them, of course) marmots, griffon vultures, edelweiss, etc., not to mention the herds.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 22.21 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 8h 00 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 592 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 584 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,932 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,350 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park at the Maison Forestière de la Coche car park.

(S/E) Head south-east to reach the Combau Forest Road (RF).

(1) Follow it for 100 metres, then turn right to join the Rachier Forest Road (RF) and continue south-east.

(2) Pass in front of the Baraque and the Fontaine de Gerland (water source). Continue to a three-way junction (approx. 1.3 km).

(3) Turn right to join theGR® 91 (approx. 1.8 km).

(4) Follow theGR® 91 southwards to the temporary springs of Pré Peyret.

(5) At the crossroads, leave theGR®91and turn left onto the path that climbs north-east towards the Plaine de la Queyrie.

(6) You will arrive at the Roman quarries (1.8 km) and then the carved tree (approx. 2 km) in the centre of the Plaine de la Queyrie.

(7) From the tree, climb up to Pas des Hollowed-out Tree Trunks Serving as Drinking Troughs, keeping to the north-east (approx. 1.5 km).

(8) Continue north, passing above the Ravin des Serres and Maupas ravines until you reach a three-way junction.

(9) Take the left-hand path down to the Cabane des Aiguillettes. Pass it and continue to the junction at the foot of Pas des Chattons (approx. 500m).

(10) Turn left (approx. 300m) and continue to the next fork.

(11) Turn left and continue along this path heading south-west, passing close to the karstic cave du Casque, until you reach the junction with theGR®91(approx. 1.8km).

(12) Continue on theGR® without going as far as the Grande Cabane sheepfold.

(13) At the fork, take the path on the right and pass above the sheepfold to reach its access path.

(3) This takes you back to the Baraque de Gerland and its fountain.

(2) Then to the Maison Forestière de la Coche (S/E) via the reverse route of the outward journey.

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,350 m - La Coche forest house
  2. 1 : km 0.79 - alt. 1,369 m - RF de Combaud
  3. 2 : km 3.43 - alt. 1,497 m - Baraque and Fontaine de Gerland
  4. 3 : km 4.79 - alt. 1,533 m - Three-way junction
  5. 4 : km 6.53 - alt. 1,580 m - GR91 junction
  6. 5 : km 8.64 - alt. 1,610 m - Temporary springs at Pré Peyret
  7. 6 : km 10.49 - alt. 1,779 m - Carrières Romaines
  8. 7 : km 10.76 - alt. 1,783 m - The pruned tree of La Queyrie
  9. 8 : km 12.11 - alt. 1,917 m - Pas des Bachassons (1903m)
  10. 9 : km 12.85 - alt. 1,897 m - To the left towards the - Cabane des Aiguillettes (1880m)
  11. 10 : km 13.45 - alt. 1,826 m - Pas des Chattons
  12. 11 : km 13.77 - alt. 1,779 m - Crossroads
  13. 12 : km 15.62 - alt. 1,578 m - GR91 crossroads
  14. 13 : km 16.07 - alt. 1,562 m - The Grande Cabane
  15. S/E : km 22.21 - alt. 1,350 m - La Coche forest house

Notes

Water is available at the Fontaine de Gerland and the Fontaine des Hollowed-out Tree Trunks Serving as Drinking Troughs. Please note that the flow rate of these springs may vary depending on the season.

As a reminder, the regulations of the Hauts-Plateaux du Vercors nature reserve impose the following main prohibitions:
- Dogs are prohibited, even on a leash
- Flying is prohibited within 300 metres (i.e. drones and paragliders are prohibited)
- No fires
- Deliberately disturbing wildlife is prohibited (be careful not to disturb marmots and ibex, among others!)
- Picking is prohibited
- Camping is prohibited, but bivouacking is permitted from 5 p.m. to 9 a.m.
- Littering is prohibited (including in the shelters, which are open to all!)
These strict regulations are necessary to protect the species and environments that inhabit this wild and unspoilt area!

This route passes through a protected area, which may be subject to special regulations:

Worth a visit

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 10 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.9 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
Sandrine M1.
Sandrine M1.

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 07, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent hike, to be done again and again in either direction.
Be careful with parking: the car park is often full in the morning, as many hikers stay for several days.

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Christine38160
Christine38160

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 22, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Magical landscapes, marmots and ibexes – in my opinion, the most beautiful place in the Vercors.

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Dominique LENUD
Dominique LENUD

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 08, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Large crowds expected for this bank holiday weekend (please note, parking is limited to 60 spaces).
Open, sunny environment. Lots of people camping at Pas des Bachassons (beware of windy nights, we are at 1,900 metres).

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CDoucet
CDoucet

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 16, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike, we saw many vultures, marmots and ibex, as well as carpets of edelweiss. The Gerland and hollowed-out tree trunk serving as drinking trough fountains looked great.

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oratio
oratio

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 16, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Magnificent setting, panoramic views from different angles and the colours of the high plateaus, not to mention the historical aspect and the opportunity to observe the local inhabitants: marmots, chamois and birds of prey.
A superb leisurely hike that is a feast for the eyes.

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BaptisteBqs
BaptisteBqs

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 09, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful hike

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ajmart
ajmart

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 31, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Superb hike. Varied and magnificent landscapes.
Worth doing again.

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PUYOUMAURIC
PUYOUMAURIC

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

A very beautiful hike in the southern part of the Vercors plateau (from Coche to the Pré Peyret hut). We extended the circular of this hike a little and climbed the Grand Veymont, which adds an extra dimension (at the cost of a little extra effort: 26 km and 1,050 m of elevation gain instead of 22 km and 600 m+).

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rodeo
rodeo

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 02, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Very beautiful hike

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bmontessinos
bmontessinos

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 20, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A lovely hike on the high plateaus. I saw a few vultures and a marmot. The scenery is magnificent.

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