The Northern Ridges of the Vercors from Autrans to Méaudre

Park in the car park at the La Sure ski resort, north of Autrans.

(S) Head towards the ski slopes to the east and climb the Red run. It’s advisable to zigzag as it’s quite steep; continuing in an east-north-easterly direction, join the^GR®9and follow it to the left to reach the summit of La Sure.

(1) Turn left again to follow this^GR® trail, keeping clear of the cliffs, to reach the summit of La Buffe.

(2) Then head due west to reach the Grande Brêche. Turn left towards the south, but stay on the red and white-marked^{GR® trail}. Turn west again to reach the Pas de la Clé, a major junction of paths.

(3) Stay on the^GR® heading west, skirting the Clé rocks. Pass the Pas Brochier to reach the westernmost point of this ridge, known as the Bec de l’Orient.

(4) Continue south, keeping a distance from the cliffs, until you finish skirting them as you reach the Signal de Nave.

(5) Turn left, still on the^GR®, which then follows the Sentier de Pierre Taillée. Begin a very gentle descent across the terrain. Ignore the path on the right leading to the Pas de Montbrand. Cut across the track to pass by Font Renard. The descent becomes steeper as you reach the crossroads of paths above the Nave clearings.

(6) Stay on the^GR® to the right, which is now almost level, to reach the Source des Plagneux.

(7) Here, first turn left then right, follow the edge of the woodland and rejoin the^GRP® for the Tour des Quatre Montagnes at the junction. Leave the^GR® and follow the^GRP® to the left for a few metres until you reach the Blanc Brude junction.

(8) Here, leave the^GRP® and turn right onto the small road that passes through the hamlets of Les Tranchants, Les Gonnets, La Truite, Les Eymes, Cochet and Les Farlaix. Head to the car park at Méaudre resort, where you’ll find the Domaine des Mateaux accommodation on your left (E).

In spring, be sure to pack warm clothes as it’s cool in the morning at an altitude of 1,000 metres (5 to 10 degrees). The northern section of the ridge is often quite windy. Make sure you wrap up warm depending on the date of your hike. However, during the day, bring a cap, sunglasses and sun cream.
At least 2 litres of water.
A 30-litre rucksack.
The following day, do the ‘Les Crêtes Est du Vercors’ walk from Méaudre to Autrans to get back to your car.

For accommodation in Méaudre, Le Domaine des Mateaux is excellent.
The three of us stayed in a four-bed room (two bunk beds) with very comfortable beds and one bathroom.
Half-board: the evening meal was very good and very generous. A small beer in the lounge on arrival. Breakfast was very good.
The scenery along the ridges is wonderful, often through woodland.