Tour des Coulmes

Hello,
Is it possible to camp for both nights instead of staying in the lodges?
Thanks in advance!

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Hello,
It’s a three-day hike. Try loading each module.
Good luck. Enjoy your walks

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Hello NicolasGsn,
Due to high traffic, the hiking search is currently very difficult to use. Please try again this evening or early tomorrow morning.

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Hello, I can't find this hike on the app, even when I enter the listing number... I was planning to do it next week. Any advice, please?

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Date of your route : Aug 01, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The route of the route was altered on Day 2 and Day 3 due to forestry work. The problem is that this causes a bit of confusion when trying to find your way on the IGN map, as mentioned previously in the forums.
The markings alternate between yellow and green, then red and white, and red and yellow on the third day.
There were very few water sources during this summer of severe drought; we topped up our supplies in Malleval, where there is drinking water in the village opposite the Auberge des Galopins. And then at the Les Rimets lodge before our second night’s stay; we had phoned them beforehand to ask for this service in case the Grant Fon spring wasn’t flowing.
However, the Gran Fon spring seems to be flowing, as it was running on 31 July 2022.
A very well-balanced three-day route allowing you to enjoy interactions with the locals (notably in the hamlet of Les Rieux at the start of stage 3, where a woman who is deeply in love with her village and her region offered us water as well), as well as the various viewpoints when emerging from the forest (splendid views of the Vercors at the end of Day 2 and on Day 3). It can indeed be completed in 2 days for the more energetic or if less time is available.
Thank you for this superb route

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Date of your route : Jun 13, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hello everyone,

A route undertaken over the Ascension Day long weekend. In total, two days of walking: Day 1 began at 3 pm on Thursday after a six-hour drive, covering approximately 10 km, with a campsite near the viewpoint towards Point 4, the ‘Pas du Pré Bourret’. Dinner and breakfast were a real treat with this view. We set off again the next morning to finish Day 1, complete Day 2, and start Day 3 up to Point 3: our most challenging day (around 23–25 km of walking), with a campsite below the forestry operations just before Point 3. We finished with the last 10 km, arriving back at the car just after 1 pm.

First trek with a bivouac on this route, stunning scenery; there are some lovely climbs, especially on Day 2 to reach the Col de Neurre, but above all to reach the Pas du Follet. Trekking poles will be a great help =).

Be careful though, as there are few water sources (those at Presles, Faz and Maneval-en-Vercors are all on Day 1; there’s only one small water source left after about 2–3 km on Day 3), so make sure you carry at least 2 litres of water, and don’t hesitate to ask locals if you need to – one person was very kind enough to help us out .

Also, the directions aren’t the most reliable, at least for Visorando enthusiasts (though not experts); we had to turn back several times. We didn’t meet many people, but those we did meet were always very friendly.

Thanks to the author for this lovely discovery

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Date of your route : Jul 26, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

We completed this route in three days and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves!

Be careful, however, on Day 2, which gave us a bit of a hard time. Firstly, there’s only water on the western slope; after the waterfall, we didn’t find any until ‘La Grand Fontaine’ (above Les Rimets, on Stage 3).
Next, on the descent to “La Cantine” after the Col du Follet, you need to watch out for the paths created for forestry operations, which obscure the trail. The guide says you must strictly follow the red and yellow markings, yet at a junction the markings go left whilst the signpost indicates “La Cantine” to the right. We went left and that was a mistake because the markings disappear after a while (due to logging tracks not shown on the IGN map or because of tree felling?) and we had to climb all the way back up... I therefore advise you to follow the signs and head straight to the right if you want to save your thighs. Further down, before reaching the canteen, the markings weren’t clearly indicated either, but by following the terrain you’ll get there.

On Day 3, however, the GR Tour des Coulmes trail is no longer used for forestry operations, so we had no trouble using it; it’s actually very pleasant!

The other two stages were absolutely brilliant; we loved this hike, as much for the scenery as for the bellowing of the stags and the vegetation, which takes you on a journey across the whole of France! A huge thank you to the author!

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Date of your route : Aug 14, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A lovely hike for those new to backpacking! It took us a day and a half to complete the route (walking from 10 am to 6 pm on the first day).

Perfect for sunny weather as most of it takes place in the forest. We stocked up on water at the Malleval campsite. Be warned, there isn’t much water along the route! After Malleval, only the Source des Pigeons had standing water (we asked some locals to help us out for the night ^^).

The signposting is very well done!
Thanks to the author!

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Date of your route : Aug 07, 2018
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

We did this with our six children over three days, spending the first night at the municipal campsite in Malleval (we were the only ones there...) – the welcome was very friendly, even though there were no facilities (no hot water ;-)
Second night in tents in the heart of the countryside, not far from Les Rimets.
We were completely self-sufficient for food: cheese and cold meats for lunch and freeze-dried meals for dinner.
Large rucksacks for the parents and the three ‘adult’ children aged 21, 18 and 16, and small bags containing just sleeping bags and mats for the three younger ones (aged 10).
The route is really lovely, though quite strenuous at times, but manageable if you’re used to hiking.
Breathtaking scenery (as are some of the climbs, especially on the second day (Malleval–Les Rimets).
Plenty of shade, which is no small matter in this heat (always around 30°C, sometimes 36°C...)
Make sure you bring enough water for everyone for the whole day – there are few or no opportunities to top up supplies during the day!!!
An exceptional family adventure!

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