Le Pas des Chattons from La Coche

Coming from Saint-Agnan-en-Vercors or the Col de Rousset, take the Charbonnières forest road which heads east into a coniferous forest. Drive for about 6.5 km (caution: narrow road) and park in the car park on the left, just before the Maison Forestière de la Coche.

(S/E) Leave the car park, turn left onto the tarmac road and continue straight on along a forest track which is usually closed by a barrier.
Continue along this route to the Maison Forestière de Pré Grandu.

(1) In front of the forest house, take the track at a 90° angle to the left and follow it for just under 100m.

(2) At this junction of three tracks, take the one on the right. This track then climbs gently in small hairpin bends.

(3) At this new junction of three tracks, stay on the one on the left. Follow this track for several kilometres, passing halfway along the Baraque de Gerland (a drinking trough with a tap on the right below), then another forest house a little further on. At the fork, continue to the left.

(4) The track continues to the Grande Cabane, which is best avoided during the summer grazing season (due to the presence of livestock and dogs). Take the path on the left marked by cairns and descend the slope.

(5) Return to the path climbing towards the Grand Veymont (signpost). At the fork, continue right, climbing uphill.

(6) Begin the climb up the rocky path to the Pas des Chattons, south of the Grand Veymont. The path first passes through a gap in a rocky ridge, which suggests this might be the pass, then continues climbing up a grassy area flanked by rocks.

(7) There are no signs indicating the location or altitude, but it’s a safe bet that the Pas des Chattons is somewhere around here! Don’t hesitate to go a few metres further to the edge of the cliff; the view over the Trièves plateau, the Oisans and Mont Aiguille is well worth it. Caution: dangerous area, precipice!
Turn back and head down to the signpost via the same route.

(5) At the signpost, turn right to avoid the Grande Cabane and head for the path climbing up the slope about fifty metres away. A hundred metres further on, join the track leading to the sheepfolds. Follow it to the right for 4.3 kilometres, passing the forest house halfway along and then the Baraque de Gerland (water point below on the left).

(8) At the foot of a rock, at the edge of the track, a sign indicates a pedestrian shortcut leading to La Coche. This shortcut begins 5 or 6 metres further on, to the right and downhill (do not climb the rock at the sign!).
This well-marked path joins a track. Follow it to the left for about 200m.

(9) Turn right onto a path that takes the shortest route (no sign!).
Return to the starting car park (S/E).

A drinking trough with a tap in front of Gerland’s hut: water safety not guaranteed! There may be a water point at the Grande Cabane

At the start of the forest track, just after the car park, a sign reads: “Welcome to the reserve! This exceptional area has few facilities in order to preserve its wild character; therefore, be prepared: water, maps and a compass are essential.”
And indeed, the signposting is, to say the least... scarce and sparse! There are very few signs along the route, and when there are any, they are minimalist and not very standard. As for trail markings, they are virtually non-existent. We can only warmly thank all the hikers who have built cairns that are so useful for following the routes.
However, there’s no need to panic! The tracks and paths on this route are clearly visible (which isn’t the case with other trails in the area) and, what’s more, it’s always possible to cut through the vegetation to find a path again...
However, in foggy weather, it may prove a little more adventurous!

There is little elevation gain or loss over the entire route, and the bulk of the ascents (or descents) is at the final access point to the Pas des Chattons.

The route starting from the point (8) is a shortcut to avoid walking along the tracks. You can ignore it and continue along the tracks taken on the way there, which eventually lead to the same point!

As a reminder, the regulations of the Hauts-Plateaux du Vercors nature reserve impose the following main restrictions:
- Dogs are prohibited, even if kept on a lead
- No flying at altitudes below 300m (therefore drones and paragliders are prohibited)
- Fires prohibited
- Deliberate disturbance of wildlife prohibited (take care not to disturb marmots and ibex, amongst others!)
- Picking plants is prohibited
- Camping prohibited, but bivouacking permitted from 5 pm to 9 am
- Littering is prohibited (including in the shelters open to all!)
These strict regulations are necessary to protect the species and habitats that inhabit this wild and unspoilt area!

The Grand Veymont, of course, is ever-present.
At Pas des Chattons, the magnificent panorama over Mont Aiguille (to the right), the Trièves plateau, Senépi and the Alps (opposite), and the Grand Veymont and Aiguillette to the left.

For the more adventurous, a winding path leads from the Pas des Chattons up to the Grand Veymont (an additional 450m climb).

And of course, from May to July, the myriad flowers that brighten up the clearings!