The Vierge du Vercors via the Pas de Saint-Martin

A walk of discovery from Vercors in a loop between the cliffs, forest and meadow. Small height change.

Technical sheet

241315
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.55 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 25 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 195 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 191 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,345 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,192 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park at Porte d'Herbouilly (D221), altitude 1,280 metres.

(S/E) At the direction sign for Favier, head towards the north-west, following the Yellow-Red waymarking to begin with. After a short climb and then a descent on a wide path, you will reach Favier at 1,211m.
Ignore the path on the left and continue to the right for a short distance up to the point marked: "le Chemin de la Pia" 1,200m.

(1) Take this path to the right in the direction of 'Pas de Saint-Martin', Yellow-Green waymarking.
The path climbs into the forest and quickly reaches some rocks which are easy to climb, although you need to be careful in wet weather. On the edge, you have a beautiful viewpoint over the "Vierge du Vercors".
On arriving at the foot of the cliffs, follow the path to the north - this is the 'Chemin de la Pia'.

Cross through a paragliding launch area, ignore the path on the right and continue ahead, still in a northerly direction, on (what we call in Chartreuse) a "sangle" ('strap'): a ledge.
Pass in front of the Saint-Martin cabin (a rough shelter on the ledge) and continue on until you reach the Pas de Saint-Martin.

Beautiful views to the north over the "Vierge" and to the west over Saint-Martin en Vercors and its meadow, and to the south over Grand-Veymont.
On the right-hand side: the cliffs, on the left-hand side: the void, but the path is wide enough, all the same. You need to be careful if you have children with you, but it doesn't present any difficulties because it is flat.
Enter into the forest. The path is still waymarked Yellow-Green, heading to the east.

(2) At the crossroads, it veers to the left and loops to the north-west. It quickly resumes its west-east axis at the place called "La parcelle 5", at an altitude of 1,350 metres. This is the highest point of the hike.

(3) Continue towards the east through the forest, ignoring a path on the left, until you arrive at the road climbing up to Chalimont Pass at the place called "Les Tenailles" at an altitude of 1,310 metres.
Cross the road and go back downhill opposite through a small section of the forest until you reach Herbouilly Meadow.

(4) At the crossroads on the Grande Traversée du Vercors path, turn right, heading due south and join the road to "Pot du Loup", at 1,300 metres altitude.
Turn left onto the road for about 500m until you reach a crossroads with a wide path.

(5) Follow the path to the left and in about 20 minutes you will reach Roybon.

(6) Turn right and follow the return path to the north-west, going in front of the 'Gîte d'étape' (large gite) called 'Auberge de Roybon'. After a short descent you will reach Porte d'Herbouilly (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,286 m - Car park at Porte d'Herbouilly
  2. 1 : km 0.79 - alt. 1,192 m - Chemin de la Pia
  3. 2 : km 1.93 - alt. 1,312 m - Cross
  4. 3 : km 2.22 - alt. 1,343 m - Parcel 5
  5. 4 : km 3.5 - alt. 1,287 m - Plaine d'Herbouilly
  6. 5 : km 5.24 - alt. 1,299 m - To the Roybon forest track
  7. 6 : km 5.98 - alt. 1,307 m - Roybon
  8. S/E : km 6.55 - alt. 1,285 m - Car park at Porte d'Herbouilly

Practical information

Good walking shoes.
No water points on the route.

In the nearby area

The Pas de Saint-Martin is typical section of the Vercors: over cliffs to reach a forested plateau and the Herbouilly meadow, its karstic terrain with caves, lapies and sinkholes: the famous "Pots (tubs) du Vercours".
Plaine d'Herbouilly: by walking a bit further to the north of the plain (5 minutes), you will find a ruined farm, the cradle of the Resistance.
At Porte d'Herbouilly and the Auberge de Roybon you will find fun spaces for children, a "filambule" (a fun shop in France) of 1,000 m2, a route of discovery based around the theme of knights, dragons and fairies.

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 30 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
PAPYMARCHEUR67
PAPYMARCHEUR67

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 06, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

An interesting route for a family hike, although you should be aware that part of it is over quite a lot of rock, which can be slippery when wet. A short section is a little acrobatic but pleasant for climbing among the rocks. After the paraglider launch area, the path sometimes becomes narrow and cliffy. It's a good idea to stop and look at the Vercors Virgin when you see it. Not recommended for rambunctious children.
The route is easy to follow, but the signposting should be redone in places where the colours have faded, and a few reminders would be useful.
Beautiful views over the valley of St Martin en Vercors.
Very good memories of this hike.

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Framboise07
Framboise07

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 21, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

A short, easy walk with superb views.

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Eterle
Eterle

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 27, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

At point 1, we forgot to look up and missed the climb the first time. We ended up under the cliff and quickly turned back: be careful here. Otherwise, nothing really difficult, and I was even able to climb the rocky section with just one hand, my other arm in a sling (yes, I know it's not clever, but the section is quite short and the rest of the hike is not difficult unless you're afraid of heights or have very young children on the ledge, which is still quite wide). Nice view of the Vercors Virgin. The Herbouilly plain is magnificent with its pink flowers and tall grasses swaying in the wind. Stop on the way back at the Auberge de Roybon: the owner has recently changed and the home-made desserts are excellent!

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cathie*59
cathie*59

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 19, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Superb early-morning hike, with views over Saint Martin en Vercors and St Julien.
The route is easy to follow using the app.
The Virgin Mary is very visible along the cliffs.
The vercors is magnificent, with a beautiful view over the herbouilly plain.
To redo with friends, beautiful discovery.

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sylvie couriol
sylvie couriol

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 23, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

It's a beautiful hike. The rocks to reach the foot of the cliff are easy to climb and the cornice crossing and its view of the Vercors are magnificent. We continued as far as Château Julien, a little bit of an extension but well worth it.
Hikes to do

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Nico et Peggy
Nico et Peggy

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 25, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

A family hike with no major difficulties. Superb views.
However, youngsters should be careful on the ledge section near the St Martin hut.

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Sky38
Sky38
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 08, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Very nice walk, with a variety of landscapes (cliffs, plains). The steep part at the start of the route, where you have to use your arms to pull yourself up, can be slippery. The dogs managed to climb perfectly.

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escros
escros

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 05, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A good introduction to the Vercors and a good way to get back on track.

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Jeanchri
Jeanchri

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 20, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

A pleasant route with some very steep climbs and some very steep descents. Beware of the dangerous section on the edge of the cliffs.

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SCHOEPFLIN
SCHOEPFLIN

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 25, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

beautiful circuit, picnic overlooking the valley st martin en vercors,
flight of a paraglider continuity of the course with cliffside to discover the virgin of the vercors.

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francois_lyon
francois_lyon

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 22, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

A very pretty walk.
Be careful not to miss the climb to the right at point 1, otherwise you end up under the rocky bar and it can become very dangerous (personal experience).
You have to use your hands to climb the rocks, which are best avoided in wet weather.
The paraglider departure area can be a pleasant place to take a break.
The return journey is easy and takes you across the Herbouilly plain, which is in bloom (July).
At the end, you can avoid the tarmac road and shorten the route a little by turning right (at the 1299 m mark) onto the GRP Tour du Vercors trail, which leads directly back to the Herbouilly Nordic site.

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achettejc
achettejc

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 01, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Clarity of route map : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

We did this hike with 4 adults who hike regularly, with the written description and application on the phone, we did not find the access to the Virgin, the paper description and the application and marking are contradictory at point 2, we turned and searched a lot, we are very disappointed, the rest of the hike is good especially a day after a storm because the paths are wide.

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kara.marie@gmail.com
kara.marie@gmail.com

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 02, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Beautiful panoramic view of St Martin en Vercors

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KUBIAK139
KUBIAK139

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 22, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Great family hike with my wife and 12-year-old son.
Be careful, just before point 2, you have to turn right and change your route to the yellow-green marker. We made a mistake and it was a steep climb! The joys of hiking!!!
The area with the rocks to climb is not really suitable for small children.
The cliff section is quite impressive for the uninitiated, but the view is superb.
Between point 3 and point 4, forestry work is in progress and many of the markers have been destroyed, although the path is still easy to find.
A magnificent hike.

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Bouk
Bouk

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 27, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

CLEAR

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