Tour of the Palais and the Château Vert rock

This short hike starting from the village of Gresse-en-Vercors offers beautiful views of the cliffs on the eastern side of the Vercors, from the Grand Veymont to the Moucherolle, then on to the Serpaton and the Rocher du Baconnet. The route, which often runs through woodland, will also allow you to discover two rather curious little peaks: Le Palais and Château Vert, which are small cliffs rising above a magnificent forest.

Details

31078850
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.01 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 55 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 373 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 371 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,452 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,138 m

Photos

Description of the walk

The start point is at the car park at the entrance to the village of Gresse, on the left as you arrive from Monestier-de-Clermont.

(S/E) Leave the car park and follow the road towards the town and the ski resort.

(1) At the foot of the descent, leave the road to the right, cross the La Gresse stream and take the Chemin de Serre Monnet opposite. Continue along this path, ignoring the first road on the left, until you reach a junction (marked by a cross on the left).

(2) Continue along the small road opposite, which heads north, to the hamlets of Les Grands Deux and Les Petits Deux.

(3) Take the D242 on the left and continue for about 300 m to the Col Des Deux.

(4) Turn right onto the gently sloping path.

(5) At the hairpin bend, turn right and follow this path marked in yellow. After the 1442m mark, the path begins to descend. Follow this descent until you reach the D8a.

(6) Take the road on the right, follow it for about 100 m, then look out for a path on the left-hand side that climbs steeply. Follow this path and cross the hamlet of Le Chaumeil.

(7) Continue in the same direction until you reach the departmental road.

(8) Cross the road and then the Gresse river, and head straight south across the fields. Follow the banks of the Gresse until you reach a small bridge.

(1) Head back up to the village to return to the starting point.
In winter, the field is accessible as it is part of the snowshoe route; however, outside the winter season, the field may not be accessible. In this case, return to the village via the road (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,191 m - Car park at the entrance to the village of Gresse
  2. 1 : km 0.25 - alt. 1,189 m - Crossroads of the circular loop
  3. 2 : km 1.01 - alt. 1,257 m - Crossroads with a cross
  4. 3 : km 1.71 - alt. 1,206 m - The hamlet of Les Petits Deux
  5. 4 : km 2.05 - alt. 1,226 m - Col Des Deux
  6. 5 : km 4.46 - alt. 1,415 m - Hairpin bend
  7. 6 : km 7.5 - alt. 1,142 m - D8a
  8. 7 : km 8.15 - alt. 1,196 m - Le Chaumeil hamlet
  9. 8 : km 8.74 - alt. 1,162 m - D8a
  10. S/E : km 10.01 - alt. 1,191 m - Car park at the entrance to the village of Gresse

Notes

There are water sources, but the water is not guaranteed to be safe to drink.

Worth a visit

Make the most of your visit to the hamlets to admire the magnificent buildings, particularly in Le Chaumeil.

Reviews and comments

4.4 / 5
Based on 6 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.2 / 5
rogrunner
rogrunner

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The signposting isn't very clear when leaving Gresse-en-Vercors and at the finish; otherwise, it's fine for the rest of the route

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Jacques L1.
Jacques L1.

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 03, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very accessible and beautiful walk on an Indian summer’s day on 3 November 2024. No particular difficulties. Ideal for families or even average walkers. The route is very easy to follow, apart from the final section before returning to the village of Gresse-en-Vercors, which crosses a field running alongside the river to avoid the road but was partially fenced off at that time. But nothing too troublesome. It was mentioned in the description. This would certainly be a lovely hike to do on a sunny winter’s day in snowshoes!

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micheline
micheline

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 16, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely route

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PapyBrochier
PapyBrochier
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 28, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Done in winter. No snow so far along the entire route, apart from a few very shady sections. Most of the route is in the shade. You walk along wide paths, with a few sections along the road. I went to take a look at the ridges at point 5, behind the picnic table, to enjoy a 360° view that is often obscured by the trees. In any case, the classic route is suitable for all ages
A lovely little walk to keep fit!

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AUDUC
AUDUC

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 14, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

A short walk I went for in changeable weather to keep up my fitness during the week.

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WOLFFBLANC
WOLFFBLANC

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 20, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A wonderful hike. Very varied. We had a bit of a problem between points 6 and 7 – we lost our way and ended up turning off onto the main road too early... A lovely hike!

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