The Méaudret Gorges

de fr

An easy walk for the whole family through the Méaudret gorges, following part of the Via Vercors. The path runs alongside or overlooks the river. It is even possible to take a dip in two or three places. The southern part allows you to enjoy the sun and the northern part the coolness of the undergrowth.
Can be done on foot or by mountain bike.

Details

n°1436545
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.30 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 10 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 129 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 127 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 971 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 931 m
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Photos

The Méaudret
The ViaVercors
The Méaudret looking north
the southern part of the Méaudret

Description of the walk

Park in the car park in the hamlet of Les Gorges.

(S/E) Take the path that descends to the left and follow it to the first houses in Les Jarrands.

(1) Turn around and return to the starting point.

(S/E) Cross the road (D106) and walk back up it for about ten metres, then take the path that branches off to the right and goes uphill. Continue until you reach a barrier separating the path from the road a few metres further on.

(2) Take the road on the right for a few hundred metres.

(3) Cross the road and continue along the path that branches off to the right below. After the bends in the Méaudret, you will reach a picnic area by the stream.

(4) To return, you can either retrace your steps or take the road back to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 942 m - Car park in the hamlet of Les Gorges - Méaudret (rivière) - Affluent de la Bourne
  2. 1 : km 0.9 - alt. 938 m - Les Jarrands
  3. 2 : km 2.29 - alt. 952 m - Follow the road
  4. 3 : km 2.49 - alt. 950 m - Cross the road
  5. 4 : km 4.02 - alt. 961 m - End of the gorges
  6. S/E : km 6.3 - alt. 942 m - Car park in the hamlet of Les Gorges

Notes

Comments on this circuit:
- You can also start from points (1) or (4) instead of point (S/E).
- The return can be made via the same route as the outward journey or by road (choice made for this description).
The southern part is sunny. There are one or two access points to the Méaudret. The route runs alongside the stream. While the northern part is mainly in the undergrowth, the path overlooks the Méaudret.
(4) There is a picnic area with tables. It is also possible to take a dip in the Méaudret.
IBP index: 24

Reviews and comments

4.3 / 5
Based on 16 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
3.7 / 5
Claude R3.
Claude R3.

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 24, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

An easy route for families, but beware of heavy mountain bike traffic.

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LilianeG 38
LilianeG 38

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 29, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

The "gorges" are really shallow. The path is well marked and even has wooden walkways, but overall it follows the road. You can hear cars passing by and the path crosses the road several times. It's nice to pick raspberries along the way, but there are no picnic tables anymore.
Furthermore, the colour of the water does not really make you want to swim.

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les marcheuses de veurey
les marcheuses de veurey
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 15, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We set off from La Laiterie, a beautiful ride with few cyclists. Our only regret is that the tables have been removed in the last three years. There was some cut wood, but nothing left for picnics. It's a shame; just some wooden blocks would be enough.
We are always very happy with your clear and easy walks.
Thank you very much

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drossière
drossière

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 12, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

family hike, a bit too many bikes

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dilwynlala
dilwynlala

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 24, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

It was a lovely walk in the snow, everything was white. The path more or less follows the river and crosses the road several times. It's a nice path, not too steep, which brings you close to the river and the forest, but it's not the most immersive walk you'll ever take. It's pleasant for a short hike of a few hours .

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les marcheuses de veurey
les marcheuses de veurey

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 26, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

hello, beautiful walk but quite a lot of cycling! Given the two starting points, we found it a bit confusing, but otherwise eating by the water was very pleasant and the path was suitable for everyone. We had a lovely day. Just be aware that if you head down towards the houses in Jarrands, you won't get any sun, which we didn't get that day, but we'll try again another time
thank you to everyone. Your walks are magnificent and, above all, well signposted.

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saint victor
saint victor

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 21, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

A pleasant walk (not a hike) but nothing more. There is a lot of traffic on the road, so it can be quite noisy. If you want to have a picnic, it is best to arrive at point 4 relatively early if you want to eat at a table. There are no difficulties, but be careful with children as there are many mountain bikes on the trail.

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pilat
pilat

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 10, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

nice family route. Too close to the road; all the noise from the cars can be heard on the trail

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achettejc
achettejc

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 29, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

More of a stroll than a hike, as you walk along a wooden or gravel path. The main attraction is the botanical interest, as it is a unique wetland area

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tufatigu237PRT
tufatigu237PRT

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 25, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : Yes

This route follows the road, which takes away some of the charm of the hike

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eantelme
eantelme

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 05, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

The path is fully paved.

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marcelgilhac
marcelgilhac

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 10, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

The path is now completely separated from the road, so there is no need to walk on the road.

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AnnieCSP
AnnieCSP

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 11, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing

Unfortunately, this route is a veritable motorway for VVT bikes, and cyclists often forget to signal when they come up behind walkers... What's more, the path is so close to the road that it's impossible to forget the noise of the engines for a single moment!

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sioo
sioo
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 22, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Enjoy your ride, there are lots of bikes on this path... the road is below... easy... Nice...

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carosteph78
carosteph78

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 23, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing

Uninteresting walk. Good for stretching your legs with the family.

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