Good things to know before you start a walk
Our Job is to make your life easier…
Below are a few tips and advices so that you can enjoy your walk fully.
Have you encountered a problem on your walk ?
Could you help us maintain the quality of our footpaths when you walk? If you have met a problem while practicing an outdoor activity (lack of signposting, a damaged footpath…) do not hesitate to talk to, or send a message to our staff at the Tourist Information Centre: we will relay your message to the relevant authorities.
‘Patou’ and other Sheepdogs for the Protection of Flocks of Sheep
We all remember the friendly sheepdog in the children’s book ‘Heidi’, but in the mountains, when they are in charge of a flock of sheep, Patou sheepdog’s reactions with walkers can feel unsettling.
From June to September, on alpine pastures hosting flocks of sheep, walkers are encouraged to adopt the right attitude for safe encounters: over the summer, some sites are strictly forbidden to dog, even on a leash. Ask for more information !
Click here if you want to know more about what to do when you meet a Patou dogs.
Do you want to tell us about your encounter with a sheep dog? You can register your story here (this will feed into an enquiry led by the Pastoral Network.
Click here to download a map of the alpine pastures occupied by flocks in the Nature Regional Park of the Vercors.
Nature and Walking
Events & Festivals
It is only natural to celebrate Nature in our part of the world !
Come and meet other passionate practitioners and enjoy special events.
– In June :
Le Glandass’Trail – Head for the legendary Glandasse mountain with a start at Châtillon-en-Diois.
Festi’Valdrôme – A friendly and relaxed outdoor festival to enjoy concerts, performances, activities and entertainment in nature. Let the mountain whisper a story to your ears…
‘Le Diois sur un Plateau‘ – 3 days of self-sufficient hikes at the heart of the Nature Reserve of the High Plateaux of the Vercors: total immersion led by the ‘Montagne du Diois’ Guides.
The Transhumance Festival – This festival starts in Die and is a celebration of the flocks of sheep going uphill to the alpine pastures of the High Plateaux of the Vercors at Col de Rousset for the summer.
– In July :
Ultra Tour de La Motte-Chalancon – A chance to discover the grand tour of the Diois Provençal peaks.
– In October :
The Mycological Festival – Meet us at Lus-la-Croix-Haute for a festive autumn day to celebrate the world of mushrooms.
Bibliography
To ensure your walk is a success make sure you have the right information before you go.
• Walking Maps :
IGN Top 25 : 3137OT Die-Crest, 3237OT Glandasse-Col de la Croix Haute , 3337OT Dévoluy, 3238OT Luc-en-Diois-Valdrôme-Col de Cabre, 3138OT Dieulefit-St Nazaire le Désert-Forêt de Saou
Customised IGN Maps (available at Lus-la-Croix-Haute, la Motte-Chalancon, Die and Châtillon-en-Diois Tourist Information Centres)
Nature Regional Park of the Vercors ‘Promenades et Randonnées en Vercors Diois’ (Walks and Hikes in Vercors Diois, includes 35 described walks)
• Guides :
Rando FFRP : La Drôme à pied, du Vercors à la Provence : 50 Promenades Randonnées’ (FFRP Walks : Walks in la Drôme from Vercors to Provence : 50 Walks and Hikes)
Glénat : Grande Traversée du Vercors à pied, 390 km en itinérance. (Grande Traversée du Vercors : 390km of Long Distance Hikes)
