Mont Aiguille and treasures of Diois (Vercors)

Description

This superb 6-day hike gives you a fairly complete overview of the varied landscapes of the South Vercors, backdrop of Giono's "strong souls", from the summits where one thinks  touching the Alps to the secret valleys of the nature reserve.

Lovers of flowers, photography or simply fullness, I will have the opportunity to make you discover places that will fulfill your aspirations.

This trek does not involve any technical difficulties but there are however some passages on vertiginous ridges. A good physical form is necessary.

Program

D1: Die - Borne -  Grimone (1150m).
Welcome in Die station at 11am. Transfer via the gorges de Gâts to the Sucettes de Borne, geological curiosity. Picnic then hike to the village of Grimone, remote hamlet of Haut-Diois where Jean Giono locates the plot of the "Strong Souls".
3 hours of walking, positive elevation: 300m, negative elevation: 150m, night in lodge.

D2: Grimone - The Nonnières (850m).
A splendid ridge stage between Drôme and Hautes-Alpes on the Jocou mountain, the highest point of Haut-Diois. We will then go to the Col de Seysse and the pastures of Jiboui before joining the hamlet of Nonnières.
6 to 7 hours of walking, E+: 950m, E-: 1250m.
Night in a ** hotel with swimming pool, sauna and jacuzzi.

D3: The Nonnières - Valley of Combeau (1400m).
Between walnut trees and lavender, we reach the hamlet of Bénevise then the highlands to the sheepfolds of Tussac. Magnificent glance on the valley of Archiane and the more distant massifs of Dévoluy and Oisans. A wild journey between alpine lawns and secret combes leads us to the wonderful valley of Combeau.
6 hours of walking, E+: 1000m, E-: 450m, night in lodge.

D4: Valley of Combeau - La Richardière (1050m).
After enjoying the charms of this bucolic valley, watched the marmots and ascended the Montagnette, we will switch in the Trièves by the pas de l'Essaure. Discovery of the hamlet of Chichilianne and end of the hike in La Richardière.
6 hours of walking, E+: 400m, E-: 750m, night in ** hotel with a spa.

D5: Tour of Mont Aiguille.
We will go around the emblematic mountain of the Vercors, which will appear sometimes like a slender needle, sometimes like a vast dolomitic wall. It is at the Aupet pass that we will take the true measure of these exceptional landscapes.
7 hours of walking, E+: 1150m, E-: 1150m, night in ** hotel with a spa.

D6: The Richardière - Forest House of the Castle (1050m) - Die.
It is by the pas de l'Aiguille, high place of the resistance that we enter again in the natural reserve of the high plateaus of Vercors. Maybe we will have the chance to surprise some chamois, ibex or even the wolf that is back for a few years. End of our roaming via the pas du Pison or pas de Chabrinel, route of the transhumant sheeps.
6 to 7 hours of walking, E+: 800m, E-: 800 m.
Transfer to Die train station and split at 5pm.

The price includes

• Full-board accomodation during the whole trip.
• Luggage transfert (limited to 20 kilos).
• Supervision by the mountain leader (me or a colleague from Vercors Escapade).
• Tranferts from/to Die train station at the beginning and at the end of the stay.

The price does not include

• Drinks and personal expenses.
• Cancellation and repatration insurance.
• Visits and activities not planned in the program.
• Anything not mentioned in "The price includes".

Accommodation

• 2 nights in a lodge (shared bedroom).
• 3 nights in a ** hotel (shared bedroom).

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