Le Dôme or Pié Ferré starting from Valcroissant Abbey

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This route allows you to climb to the summit of the Dôme or Pied Ferré, the highest point of the Glandasse mountain in the Vercors massif, starting from Valcroissant Abbey and returning via the same route.

⚠️ 21/04/2026: 2 km before the Abbey, the road is closed due to a rockslide; it is not currently possible to access the start of this hike.

Details

n°64207548
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 11.09 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 7h 10 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Very difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,393 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,393 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,039 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 646 m
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Description of the walk

Park in the abbey car park.

(S/E) Head straight on towards the Dôme les Fays: yellow and green markings. About a hundred metres further on, veer slightly to the left to stay as close as possible to the Ruisseau de Valcroissant, then cross it via the footbridge. Then let a path on the right branch off and reach a new junction just after crossing the stream again.

(1) Go straight on, ignoring the markings, and rejoin them further up.

(2) Cross the marked path to reach the opposite side and head for the Fontaine de Juillet, where you will find the yellow and green markings again.

(3) Continue to the right. The south-facing path turns left further on and begins a series of switchbacks on the steepening slope. You will reach a junction situated just at the entrance to the Vercors High Plateaus Reserve, classified as a Sensitive Site.

(4) Keep left, leaving the markings behind, and follow a small path visible through the grass to the junction with the GR®91.

(5) Turn right and continue for about 200 m.

(6) Turn right towards the Dôme and climb straight up to the summit.

(7) Enjoy the 360° view, then retrace your steps down the ascent route to Valcroissant Abbey (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 646 m - Car park - Abbaye de Valcroissant
  2. 1 : km 0.65 - alt. 745 m - Junction
  3. 2 : km 1.27 - alt. 993 m - Junction with marked path
  4. 3 : km 1.47 - alt. 1,063 m - Fontaine de Juillet
  5. 4 : km 3.23 - alt. 1,511 m - Crossroads - Nature Reserve
  6. 5 : km 4.75 - alt. 1,924 m - Junction GR°°®°°91
  7. 6 : km 4.97 - alt. 1,939 m - Abandon GR°°®°°91
  8. 7 : km 5.56 - alt. 2,039 m - Summit - Le Dôme ou Pié Ferré (2041 m)
  9. S/E : km 11.09 - alt. 646 m - Car park - Abbaye de Valcroissant

Notes

Alternative route: at (1), you can follow the winding path marked in yellow and green to the Fontaine de Juillet. This extends the distance.

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

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.

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Reviews and comments

4.3 / 5
Based on 3 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.3 / 5
Ease of following the route
3.7 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
sevillano
sevillano

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 15, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Few people despite ideal weather.
The shortcuts at the start are of limited interest to me. Taken on the way there but not on the way back.
The hike presents no technical difficulties and there are no navigation issues. The downside is a significant elevation gain and a distance that, in my opinion, is greatly underestimated in the guidebook, according to my GPS... The view from the top of the Dôme is a great reward for the persistent hiker. 6.5 hours including a lunch break, photos and vulture watching

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oranodem
oranodem

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 11, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

good site

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JOEL VETTARD
JOEL VETTARD
• Edited:

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 22, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The start of the route, with its shortcuts compared to the marked route, didn’t seem particularly sensible to me.
The footbridge mentioned at the start is in ruins, with a few damp and slippery loose logs
on the cross-beams.
I eventually quickly rejoined the marked route, admittedly a little longer, but with a steady climb,
and no risk of getting lost (note: I’m only using an A4 printout; GPS guidance on a mobile phone
avoid any confusion on the shorter route).
Otherwise, the walk is magnificent with a superb view of the high plateaus, Mont Aiguille and Gd Veymont
from the summit of the Dôme, on Monday 21 October 2024. The route was quiet that day.
About 6 hours round trip, including photo and meal breaks, despite very moderate hiking fitness and an age
that is gradually catching up with me!!!
Joel

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