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Warnings:
- The IGN topographical map is completely out of date (even the online version is often years behind); there is a wide, vehicle-accessible track (usually closed to traffic) leading up from Carron to the Tunnel du Mortier; the OpenStreetMap hiking map shows part of it; the route follows part of this track on the descent. Furthermore, some of the tracks shown on the IGN map no longer exist or are in an impassable condition. Do not rely on the IGN map in this area.
- It is essential to read the ‘Practical Information’ section to find your way to La Draye and gauge the difficulty.
Pascal Sombardier (whoinspired this circular loop, as well as many others – see the excellent *Vercors secret*) has pointed out to me that there is a much easier alternative to the direct ascent between (1) and (4). Instead of turning right at (1), continue along the track to the south-east and follow the approach route described in the guide to La Draye de Seblou on Pascal’s blog (you’ll need to download the PDF). Please note that La Draye de Seblou is a much more demanding route.
(S/E) From Carron, do not go through the gate on the forest road but take a forest track to your right which climbs steeply into the woods between two huts (heading south-west).
(1) Just past these huts, turn right onto the Chemin des Bœufs (actually a forest track) and follow it for less than 100 m.
(2) Take the first forest track branching off to the left, heading south-west (note: there is another one a little further on heading in the same direction – see practical information). This track crosses the forest road near some small cairns. Carry on climbing, still heading south-west, along the track which eventually disappears into the forest. Continue climbing in the same direction, following a few cairns.
(3) Cross the forest road where two cairns mark the route on either side of the road (the cairns are marked with fluorescent red; the top one is very small). Continue climbing in the same south-westerly direction, over increasingly steep terrain littered with moss-covered boulders. Near the edge of the forest (the cliff is partially visible), you’ll arrive beneath huge boulders from a rockfall.
(4) At the boulders, turn left to climb a slightly less steep slope towards the mouth of the Draye and the scree descending from it. Head for the foot of the cliff. At the start of the Draye des communaux (marked ‘Draue’ on the IGN map), climb straight southwards up a (very) steep section, making the best use of the few boulders and grassy slabs (see photo).
(5) When you reach the rope, follow it to get past the rocks, then climb to the right onto a grassy ledge, still following the rope (and a few old cables). Step out onto the top of the cliff where a good path joins. Turn left onto this path, heading south, and follow it through the undergrowth (numerous cairns) until you reach a clearer area, bordered by sharp limestone pavement.
(6) A large cairn marks the junction where the path branches off to the right (west) towards the Gouffre Berger. Follow this path to the chasm.
(7) The gouffre lies in the middle of a sharp limestone pavement bordered by trees (see photo). Retrace your steps back to the large cairn.
(6) Turn right (south) onto the cairn-marked path. Continue along this path until you reach theGR®® 9.
(8) Atthe GR®® 9, a yellow sign points towards La Sure on the right (west). Follow this direction along theGR®® marked in red and white; pass a junction coming from the left, then veer north and walk alongside the sharp limestone pavement. The path turns back west and arrives at a place called Malatra.
(9) Turn right towards La Sure, as indicated by the sign at Malatra, staying on theGR®® which is now a track suitable for vehicles running along the top of the Autrans ski runs. At a signpost, leave the track and head towards La Sure (north-east) to reach the edge of the cliff.
(10) At La Sure, continue along the path heading westwards along the cliff face, towards an emergency telephone relay station, and rejoin the track. Turn right onto this track and, after a hairpin bend, turn right onto theGR®® 9 to follow the sign for La Buffe (signpost). The path continues along the cliff towards La Buffe (see alternative routes) until it reaches the area above Le Mortier.
(11) A sign points towards the tunnel. Follow the path towards it until you reach the tarmac road to Les Feneys. Walk down this road for 500m to reach the entrance to the Mortier tunnel. Walk through the tunnel until you emerge above the Isère valley. Turn right onto a track suitable for vehicles (blocked by large stones to prevent traffic). This track does not appear on IGN maps. It follows the foot of the cliff, initially heading south-east, then takes two hairpin bends before continuing down a long, gently sloping descent that passes the Seigneurets ridge. The track veers south to reach a junction at a hairpin bend.
(12) Do not continue in the direction you came from, but take the hairpin bend to the left towards the north, staying on the track, and this will lead you to the next hairpin bend.
(13) At the circular bend in the hairpin, turn left onto a forest track that descends more steeply into the woodland. This is the old Chemin des Bœufs, marked (faintly) in blue. Continue along this track until you cross the forest road again.
(14) Cross the road to continue along the Chemin des Bœufs. Cross the forest road a second time to reach a junction with another logging track. Turn right (south) to descend this track and return to the original junction.
(2) Follow the route you took on the way out to return to the Carron car park (S/E)
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Visorando Member
Difficult 
Average 
