Hiking in the Nature Reserve of the Vercors Regional Natural Park ...

Sensitive and protected, the 17,000 hectare Réserve des Hauts-Plateaux nature reserve covers approximately 10% of the Vercors Regional Natural Park.

It is the largest nature reserve in mainland France.

At the junction of the pre-Alps of the north and those of the south, and ranging in altitude from 1,050 to 2,341 meters (the peak of the Grand Veymont being the highest point), the Reserve is subject to strongly contrasting climatic influences. Humans have made their mark on the land since prehistoric days. And although the tradition of agriculture in the area has lasted for more than a thousand years, hiking has nowadays also become one of the main human activities in the Reserve. Among its mountain pastures and forests, the Reserve has the largest forest of hooked pines (a subspecies of mountian pines, or Pinus mugo, subspecies uncinata) in the limestone Alps and a rich variety of flora, comprising some 738 species. The animal life is discrete but plentiful. Here can be found most Alpine species, such as marmots, black grouse, golden eagles and chamois, as well as rarer animals such as Alpine grouse and wolves. Certain species, such as the ibex, Griffon vultures and marmots have been reintroduced in the area during the last twenty last years.

Wild but Managed

Although the nature reserve remains wild, it is maintained daily by Vercors Regional Natural Park rangers, who help to preserve the flora and fauna, the natural environment and the architectural heritage. They also assist in breeding programmes by capturing wild progenitors. The constant presence of the five professional park rangers also helps to provide a welcome for visitors as well as scientific surveillance of the wildlife in the Reserve.

Used by All, Preserved by Everyone

Open to everyone, this wonderful place of wild splendor does require protection. It needs our respect and goodwill. So as to preserve the natural environment, the marking of the hiking trails in the nature reserve (it is traversed by GR 91 and GR 93) is purposely minimalist. This means hikers here must be vigilant and take extra precautions. Use a compass and map. Pay attention! Natural conditions such as abrupt climatic changes, the potholes and chasms typical of the limestone “karst” topography, and dried-up springs can quickly prove to be dangerous. Before you set out for a hike in the nature reserve, you may want to think about contacting a mountain guide. They are trained and qualified and work in partnership with the Park. For more information, click on the link to Hiking with a guide.

Regulations

And of course, in a nature reserve there are regulations. Do not be tempted to take your dog with you (even on a lead). Do not disturb any wildlife or collect wildflowers. Take all litter with you. No camping or fires. (Bivouacs are allowed in winter from 7 p.m. to 8 a.m. near existing cabins and refuges and during the summer along hiking trails, from 7 p.m. to 8 a.m.) Motorized vehicles are prohibited. Mountain bikes are prohibited except on the VTT variant of the GTV route. (Mountain bikes are called "vélo tout terrain" in French. The abbreviation is “VTT”, which is what you should look for on signs and route maps.) You are not allowed to fly hang gliders, paragliders, or any form of aircraft below 300 meters over the Reserve or to take off from anywhere within the Reserve. The park rangers are vigilant and they carry binoculars, so even if you don’t see them, they may well see you. They are friendly and helpful, but they are also very serious about preventing the wildlife from being disturbed, and breaking the rules can result in hefty fines. (For further details about the reserve, visit the site of the Vercors Regional National Park.) Enjoy the nature reserve and please help to keep it beautiful and wild.

Shelters

You can stay overnight in the Reserve – but by no means in a 4-star hotel. The accommodation is mostly in rustic shelters. These single-room huts are unsupervised (except Pré Grandu), and on arrival you will probably have to go out to collect wood to light the stove. The beds are flat wooden bunks : you will need a sleeping bag and will have a more comfortable night if you have brought a carrymat or inflatable mattress and with you. By the light of the stove and perhaps a candle, you will enjoy your food and water all the more because of the hard work it took to carry it in with you. You may meet other inhabitants in the shelter – fellow hikers, perhaps, or a small animal scrounging for crumbs. And you may have to get up in the night to put another log in the stove. You may also want to get up early in the morning to watch the sun rise through the morning mists. This is a list of the huts in the nature reserve, and where to find them. They are open for all, year-round. Pré Peyret – 1,600 meters To the north of Pas de Chabrinel, 2 hours from Col de Rousset and Château de Romeyer on GR 91 and GR 93 15 places – the spring Fontaine des Endettés is five minutes away Cabane de Châtillon – 1,774 meters 3 hours and 30 minutes north of Châtillon-en-Diois on GR 91 10 places – the spring Source de Baume Rousse is fifteen minutes away Cabane de Carette – 1,355 meters In the north of the Reserve 10 places – no nearby spring La Jasse du Play – 1,629 meters In the center of the Reserve on GR 91 10 places – the spring Fontaine du Play is ten minutes away Private shelter Pré Grandu – 1,365 meters Near la Maison de la Coche (Rousset) on the GTV For a reservation, call the Office National des Forêts on +33 (0)4 76 48 21 97 – no nearby spring Cabane de l’Essaure – 1,653 meters Combeau 10 places – no nearby spring Abri de Chamailloux – 1,665 meters On the descent towards La Richardière 18 places – the spring Source de la Chevalière is five minutes away Cabane des Aiguillettes – 1,880 meters At the foot of the Pas des Chattons (south) side of the Grand Veymont 2 places (NB, there is no stove in this hut and it is difficult to find in winter) – the spring Fontaine des Bachassons is twenty minutes away Abri de Tiolache du milieu – 1,560 meters On GR 91 to the north of la Jasse du Play 2 places – no nearby spring For the slightly less adventurous, there are a variety of guesthouses and supervised shelters in the villages along the southern edge of the Reserve. (Click here for contacts.)	Be careful about taking water with you! There are springs, but at times they may be virtually, or even completely, dry. Be prepared.