Vachères-en-Quint walks

Tour of the small villages and hamlet of the Quint valley.

The Crête de Ramiat is the flagship hike from Sainte-Croix, and rightly so! Admittedly, there is a bit of road at the start, but then there are wide paths or well-marked trails and, above all, splendid panoramic views of the Drôme Valley and the Vercors. The passage along the ridge can be tricky in short sections for those prone to vertigo and requires sure-footedness in places. However, it is possible to avoid this section without missing out on the beauty of the landscape.

A circular hike to discover the hamlets of L'Escoulin and Eygluy, formerly separate communes in two parallel valleys. In 1971, they merged to form Eygluy-Escoulin! Along the route, there are beautiful views of the mountains and peaks of southern Vercors and you can discover the small local heritage of this region of Diois. The route is easy, following either carriage roads or quiet country lanes.

A circular walk starting from the village of L'Escoulin in the wild Sépie valley, with the highest point being the Taillefer (932 m). The route, which follows little-used paths and trails, is often through forest with beautiful views of the Drôme mountains (Bec Pointu, Tête de la Dame and the southern edge of the Vercors, Glandasse, Trois Becs).

This lovely hike goes all the way around Taillefer, passing through Saint-Andéol-en-Quint, Vachères-en-Quint and the two Col de Vachères (north and south). Beautiful views of Vercors, Bec Pointu, Tête de la Dame, Montagne de Glandasse and Les 3 Becs. Good news at the end of the route: you no longer have to wade through the Sépie river, but can cross via a very pretty footbridge!

This is a very short route, the main purpose of which is to explore the waterfalls and their pools, just a stone's throw from Pontaix. A short detour to the heights will allow you to see the castle ruins and enjoy views of the Drôme valley.

Easy hike from the pretty village of Pontaix. Ascent into the Grand Barry Forest. Descent into the Ravin des Lots. The ruins of the castle are worth visiting for the view over the Drôme, and from the village you can access the waterfalls and pools of the Ruisseau des Lots.

Mainly on wide tracks, this hike—which is not difficult apart from its length—takes you up to the Taillefer, offering stunning views from the Vercors to the Trois-Becs Massif with beautiful vistas over the Drôme Valley.

This circular hike takes you up the south-eastern slope of Bec Pointu from the Quint Valley. Although the ascent and descent are challenging, your efforts will be rewarded by the incomparable 360° view from the summit, taking in the Vercors, Glandasse, the Massif des Trois-Becs, Omblèze and, of course, the Tête de la Dame.

Circular on the Montagne de Desse, between Marignac-en-Diois and Ponet-Saint-Auban. Long passage on the ridge, exposed. Beautiful views of the Drôme valley, near Die, and the foothills of the Vercors.

The Druise waterfall, an impressive 72-metre drop, is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful in the Vercors. The view from below is breathtaking: the high waterfall looks like a bridal veil, accompanied by a thunderous roar and a huge blast of air.

This two-stage circular loop takes place in a sparsely populated region with luminous landscapes, alternating between Provençal and mountainous scenery. From the Druise car park, the path heads to the Druise Waterfall, then follows the La Gervanne Gorge route and visits the La Pissoire Waterfall before venturing into the eerie Gueulards Canyon. It reaches the Abbaye de Léoncel lodge for a peaceful, monastic night’s rest. The next stage begins with a good warm-up leading to the Pas du Grand Échaillon, then on to the Col de la Bataille and its viewpoint, before continuing to that of the Croix d’Ambel. The path descends to the Pierre Plate viewpoint and then to the village of Omblèze, from where it climbs to the Col des Ayes and on to the Col d’Anse. It descends to the hamlet of Ansage and returns to the car park.

First stage of the circular route around Omblèze in the Southern Vercors. This route begins with a visit to the Chute de la Druise, one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the Vercors, which plunges 70 metres from the bottom of a narrow gorge. After passing through the Gervanne Gorge, you come to the charming little Pissoire Waterfall, followed by a crossing of the Gueulards Canyon, a unique geological feature that inspires both unease and delight, before reaching the small, isolated village of Léoncel and its 12th-century abbey, with its old-world charm, which offers hospitality in a discreet manner.

Randonnée permettant de parcourir sur la journée l'ensemble des cascades et des particularités des gorges.

Alternating between trails and forest tracks, you will discover the small Saint-Christophe Chapel and its tiny cemetery, perched on the heights of Véronne in the Grand Barry Forest, as well as the Roury Forest House, all in a setting of absolute tranquillity.

Hike in the Justin National Forest, in a typical Diois atmosphere, with narrow paths in little-used valleys, a mainly forest route with views of the southern Vercors mountains.

At the gateway to the Vercors, at the end of a long ridge at an altitude of 1,000 metres, this rocky promontory is visible for dozens of kilometres around. The site offers a remarkable panorama of the village, which it overlooks by nearly 200 metres, the Rieussec and Gervanne valleys and the high plateaus of the Vercors, the Diois, the Trois Becs and the Montagne Saint-Pancrace. The place is peaceful at sunrise and offers an interesting view of the plateau stretching around the village with its farms, temple, chapel and castle. The elevation gain is modest and the distance is short. The loop makes the climb less difficult. We chose to start from the Church of Notre-Dame, at the bottom of the village, to discover this well-renovated Romanesque heritage site.

This circular hike via the Col de Vassieux, But Saint-Genix and the Pas des Boullanains offers magnificent panoramic views of the Vercors, the Diois and the foothills of the Baronnies and Ventoux.

A beautiful walk starting from Marignac-en-Diois, which provides access to the Vercors balcony. Very beautiful view to the south. Numerous possible extensions on the Vercors plateau.

The summit of the Tête de la Dame offers superb views of the Diois, the Drôme valley and the Vercors massif.

A magnificent ridge hike offering a wide variety of landscapes and sublime panoramas in a mountainous environment. This route is closed to hikers from 1 November to 1 May, by order 0601.

A wild hike, allowing you to reach the summit of Bec Pointu and then return via Courcousson and the Pré des Chaux meadow. The circuit follows several panoramic ridges, offering 360° views of the Gorges d'Omblèze, the Roc de Toulau, the Tête de la Dame, the Vercors ridges, the Glandasse, and the Quint and Gervanne valleys.

This is a very beautiful hike, but should only be undertaken in very good weather. The first part follows the course of the Gervanne river, crossing numerous fords and wading through water, until you reach the magnificent Druise waterfall. The second part leads, via theGR®9, to the plateau and the Croix de Vellan overlooking the small village of Plan de Baix, where a 360° view allows you to admire some of the peaks of the Vercors and Baronnies.

This unusual spot offers a complete change of scenery, with a crevasse that plunges into nowhere and a calm, sombre atmosphere among rocky outcrops, lichens and ferns. The return route takes you along a track with seven hairpin bends that illustrate the art of building passages carved into the rock on the mountain side and masonry on the side facing the void.

Enjoy a complete change of scenery in this superb canyon between two narrow cliffs. An unusual spot with a crevasse that descends into nowhere, offering a calm and sombre atmosphere among rocky outcrops, lichens and ferns. Please note! The route has been changed to avoid the Ferme du Pêcher du Bas. At (1), go straight ahead, then take a path on the right and head straight for (3).

This unusual spot offers a complete change of scenery, with a crevice that plunges into nowhere and a calm, dark atmosphere among rocky outcrops, lichens and ferns. Access to the canyon is via a track with seven hairpin bends that demonstrate the art of building passages carved into the rock on the mountain side and masonry on the side facing the void.

A very beautiful circuit, mostly in the forest and therefore quite shaded, with a magnificent view once you reach the ruins of Barry Castle.

Starting from Vercheny-le-Temple (or Vercheny le Haut), a very pleasant hike along easy paths and trails, providing access to one of the ridges of the Grand Barry-Gaudichart, as well as the ruined Château du Barry. Exceptional views over the Vercors, the Baronnies and the Diois.The return route follows partly along the western slope, offering another view of the Saoû ridges, and finishes on the eastern slope via the Pas de la Bernarde, a path carved out between the rocks (no equipment required).

Departure from Vaugelas. Car park in the centre of the village. A pretty little village, fairly well restored, located at the bottom of a valley

The absence of houses gives this hike a wild feel. This route, which takes us to an altitude of 1,000 metres, offers beautiful views of the Trois Becs, the Saou Forest, the Ambel Plateau, the Rhône Valley and the Monts Ardéchois.

From Beaufort-sur-Gervanne, the gradual climb to Plan-de-Baix and then to the Croix du Vellan (a picturesque passage between rocks and cliffs) is on good paths. From there, you can enjoy a unique view of the Gervanne Valley and the Trois Becs Massif. The return journey takes you through the village of Lozeron and the Domaine des Arômes (Sanoflore organic cosmetics factory and botanical garden).

Côte Belle is a classic hike from Beaufort-Sur-Gervanne. Here we offer a longer and more complete version, covering almost all of the ridges and extending around Merly, a pointed mountain overlooking Eygluy. As a bonus, you can enjoy views not only of the Massif des Trois-Becs and the Drôme Valley, but also of the Montagne de Glandasse, the But Saint-Genix, Ansage, the Falaises d'Omblèze and the Rochers du Vellan. No difficulty except for the length.

This short family hike starts at the Col de Vassieux and takes you to the But de l'Aiglette via forest paths with a very moderate elevation gain. Enjoy the view of the Diois, the Route du Rousset, the Grand Veymont, and maybe even spot some vultures!

Set off from Omblèze for a breathtaking view of the Quint region and the Ambel Plateau.

From the famous Plateau des Chaux, a small agricultural plain still preserved by traditional practices, you will reach the heights of the Lozeron mountain and enjoy a 260° panorama.

A peaceful hike with the panorama of the Croix du Vellan as our destination. View of the entire Diois valley and some of the peaks of the Vercors. A panoramic table invites you to learn about all these peaks.

Pastoral plateau, undergrowth, flower-filled meadow. A varied and very pleasant route offering the chance to encounter a rich and unspoilt flora. This route features a very steep descent for the return to Bouvante le Haut via the Col de Rioupeysson.

On a clear day, the Serre Chauvière plateau offers a magnificent 360° panorama of the peaks of the Devoluy, Vercors, Baronnies and Diois. The Balcon de la Colombe is a very pretty trail.

A walk through the forest overlooking Aurel with views of the village.

On a clear day, the Serre Chauvière plateau offers a magnificent 360° panorama of the peaks of Devoluy, Vercors, Baronnies and Diois. A major effort has been made to re-mark and clear the trails on this superb hike, which adds considerable value.

The Cols de Vassieux offer breathtaking views of the Marignac en Diois valley, Die, the Col du Rousset, the Glandasse, the Grand Veymont and the entire chain up to the Pic Saint-Michel above Villard-de-Lans and the Chironne rocks. Breathtaking ravines, flowers and butterflies everywhere, a marvel and, as a bonus, the passage of griffon vultures reintroduced to the region!

Tour of the Montagne de Chabrier starting from Saillans.

Variation on the classic Tour de Chabrier hike via the Col des Vallons and the Pas de la Bernarde, with a return via a tiny path overlooking the Drôme and the D93 between Saillans and Vercheny. Splendid views guaranteed over the Drôme Valley, the Massif des Trois-Becs and the Vercors.

An extension of the classic Tour de Chabrier hike, this figure-of-eight hike (with the Col des Vallons at its centre) takes you to the Pas de la Bernarde (magnificent views of the Vercors, Montagne de Glandasse and Drôme Valley on the Vercheny side) and into the Fond de Chabrier. In total, the Col des Vallons will have been explored from all four cardinal points!

From the lively village of Saillans with its narrow streets, arcades and fountains, passing by the turquoise blue pools of Rieussec, climb up to the Saint-Christophe Chapel. It faces the Trois Becs!

A beautiful but long hike around the Rochers de Cresta, with the added bonus, if you feel up to it, of climbing to the top of the ridges: breathtaking views of the Trois Becs massif, the Drôme valley, the Vercors, Glandasse, and even a glimpse of Grand Ferrand... But only do this in dry weather with very good footwear that grips well, as there are steep slopes and secure rocks...

During this hike, the land of Clairette wine offers us a surprising encounter with a centuries-old chestnut tree. Standing alone at the foot of the Trois Becs and the Rocher de la Laveuse, a sign indicates its age and characteristics. One cannot help but admire this witness to history, which was most certainly a contemporary of Joan of Arc!

This hike through forests and along airy ridges offers views of the Vassieux-en-Vercors plateau, the entire Vercors range, the Diois, the foothills of the Baronnies, as well as the Dévoluy and the Écrins in the background.

Circular on trails, paths and tracks, visiting some of the characteristic sites of the Justin mountain, Pas du Renard, forest lodge, Bât de l'Âne. Beautiful views of the peaks of the southern Vercors and more wooded areas.

This is an easy walk that can be done with young children. Picnics are possible in a shaded area.

From Les Cerisiers, the hike follows the GRP® Tour du Vercors Dromois, then the GR®93 to the village of Font d'Urle. The climb up to Puy de la Gagère takes you through a pretty deciduous forest. Near the village of Font d'Urle, the route takes the Sentier du Karst (not very well signposted) and climbs up to the viewpoint: the GPX track will be very useful, as there are many paths with no signposts. The hike continues along the edge of the cliff via the Pas du Follet. After a final, slightly steep climb, head back towards Puy de la Gagère to return to the starting point, following the same path in reverse. With a bit of luck, you may spot marmots and eagles on the Font d'Urle plateau, as well as sheep, cows and horses grazing in the pastures.

A magnificent view of the Monts du Matin: the Rocher du Roi Gros Nez, the Montagne de l'Epenet, the Rochers des Deux Soeurs and the Barbières valley as far as Valence and Romans-sur-Isère.

A short, easy and wild circular route with beautiful views from the top of the cliffs.