Le Grand Veymont starting from Gresse-en-Vercors

Park in the large Centaurées car park, along the Route du Grand-Veymont (D8d), near a bakery and a bus stop.

(S/E) Head south-west and follow the D8d alongside the Torrent de la Gresse. You’ll reach a junction at the 14 Juillet 1944 car park.

(1) Turn right, staying on the Route du Grand Veymont. Walk past a car park on your left and pass the start of two ski lifts.

(2) At the start of a hairpin bend to the left, take a path on the right (vertical sign). Pass a small reservoir on the left and head up towards the south-west. Enter the forest and climb more steeply.

(3) Leave the forest and continue climbing. Head south then west to reach a junction.

(4) Carry straight on and begin a steep climb with tight hairpin bends leading to the Pas de la Ville: magnificent views over both valleys.

(5) Turn left (south) to follow the ridge leading to the summit ofthe Grand Veymont:views of Mont Aiguille.

(6) Follow the ascent route in the opposite direction to return to the car park (S/E).

In the late afternoon, it gets quite windy on the ridges once past the Pas de la Ville. No water along the route. No more shade available from this point onwards.

(5) Ascent to the Grand Veymont: possibility of camping with several stone circles to protect the tent from the wind between this point and the Grand Veymont. However, there is no water source along the route.

(6) Rather than returning via the same route, it is possible to continue via the Cabane des Aiguillettes and the Pas des Bachassons, but this considerably lengthens the hike. Route not tested.

The view at Pas-de-la-Ville is truly magnificent.

Quite a few birds to be seen.

A few animals.