Serre Plumé via the Pelouse de Bournette at the start of the Col de la Chau.

A magnificent hike that subtly combines forest and meadow passages. You walk and pass easily from one path to a forest track, or vice versa, thanks to the numerous signposts.

As for the views, you can choose between the entrance to the Pelouse de Bournette, the bird's eye view of the Scialets Royer, the view of the Combe de Loscence and the fabulous 360° view from the summit of Serre Plumé.

This is an easy hike, with only the start of the climb to the summit of Serre Plumé reminding you that you are on a mountain hike.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.71 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,768 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,795 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 5,118 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 4,311 ft

Photos

Description of the walk

The hike starts from the Col de la Chau car park.

(S/E) Follow the road for about 200 m.

(1) Leave the departmental road and turn right onto the Route Forestière du Col de la Baume.

(2) Leave the forest track and turn left towards Pied Saint Martin - yellow/green signposts.

(3) Descend on the left along the path. At the track, turn right and continue until you reach a crossroads (Pied Saint Martin).

(4) Cross it, head opposite towards Haut de Bournette and you will come out onto a forest track.

(5) Cross it, descend opposite and continue on the Pelouse de la Bournette. You will come to another forest track (signposted "Haut de la Bournette").

(6) Cross it and, after 100 m, turn right into the meadow and follow Crobache - Snowshoe trail no. 6. After a large bend to the right, heading south, you will come to a T-junction with a sign for "Plaine Longue".

(7) Take the path on the left towards Crobache and its refuge, leaving snowshoe trail no. 6 on your right. When you reach a crossroad running alongside the Plaine Longue, turn left and continue until you reach the Refuge de Crobache.

(8) Continue along this main road until you reach a Y-junction at Pré Pellet.

(9) Take the track on the left towards L'Estouble.

(10) Cross the forest track and continue straight ahead to reach the viewpoint over the Combe de Loscence, the village of La Chapelle en Vercors and the peaks on the eastern edge of the Vercors.

(11) Retrace your steps.

(10) Head left along the forest track and, after the hairpin bend, look for a path starting on the left.

(12) Climb up the path on the left to reach the Serre Plumé ridge and its summit. Beautiful panorama and superb 360° view of the entire eastern chain of the Vercors.

(13) Descend to the Col de la Mure.

(14) At the "Col de la Mure" sign (1,415 m), turn right and climb slightly for about 100 metres to find a second "Col de la Mure" sign (1,425 m).

(15) Go up to the left along the forest track towards "Pelouse d'Herbounouse".

(16) Follow the road to the left towards Petit Pré / Col de la Chau for about 200 m until you reach a forest track.

(17) Cross it and continue straight ahead on another track. Reach the "Petit Pré" crossroads (sign).

(18) When you set off again, turn right and follow the signs for Col de la Chau / Grange de Vauneyre. Pass the barn and continue to the departmental road.

(19) Go up it on the right to reach the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 4,393 ft - Parking - Col de la Chau (1337m)
  2. 1 : mi 0.13 - alt. 4,452 ft - Forest road from the Col de la Baume
  3. 2 : mi 0.54 - alt. 4,528 ft - Pied Saint-Martin fork
  4. 3 : mi 0.86 - alt. 4,718 ft - Descend on the left.
  5. 4 : mi 1.15 - alt. 4,662 ft - Pied Saint Martin crossroads
  6. 5 : mi 1.4 - alt. 4,521 ft - Crossroads
  7. 6 : mi 2.42 - alt. 4,354 ft - Bournette lawn
  8. 7 : mi 3.48 - alt. 4,800 ft - Plaine Longue
  9. 8 : mi 3.89 - alt. 4,715 ft - Refuge de Crobache
  10. 9 : mi 4.66 - alt. 4,534 ft - Pré Bellet
  11. 10 : mi 4.83 - alt. 4,429 ft - L'Estouble. Fork in the road at the viewpoint.
  12. 11 : mi 4.9 - alt. 4,311 ft - View
  13. 12 : mi 5.16 - alt. 4,518 ft - Fork
  14. 13 : mi 6.04 - alt. 5,118 ft - Serre Plumé
  15. 14 : mi 6.48 - alt. 4,652 ft - Col de la Mure (1424m)
  16. 15 : mi 6.56 - alt. 4,682 ft - Sign
  17. 16 : mi 7.36 - alt. 4,685 ft - Herbounouse lawn
  18. 17 : mi 7.45 - alt. 4,698 ft - Crossroads
  19. 18 : mi 7.89 - alt. 4,747 ft - Petit Pré
  20. 19 : mi 8.54 - alt. 4,324 ft - Departmental road D76
  21. S/E : mi 8.71 - alt. 4,390 ft - Parking - Mémorial de la Résistance (Vassieux-en-Vercors)

Notes

An easy and pleasant hike overall, but be aware of steep slopes between points (10) and (14).

No water on the route.

The Refuge de Crobache (8) has been well refurbished.

Worth a visit

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 2 reviews

Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
User 4366783

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 11, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A varied route through woods and meadows. The return journey is mostly unshaded, along wide forest tracks. But the view of the Serre Plumé is well worth the detour.

Machine-translated

Roland26
Roland26
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 01, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Hike completed on 1 August with 6 hikers
A very beautiful hike, alternating between woodland and grassy areas. The climb to the Plumé greenhouse is steep but does not present any particular difficulties for hikers accustomed to mountain hiking.
There is a beautiful viewpoint at point 11, which is not to be missed.
The arrival at the summit of Serre Plumé is magnificent, with breathtaking 360° views. We prolonged the moment with a snack break at the summit.
Thanks to the author of this route

Machine-translated

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