The Vercors in the Drôme - a family affair

D1 Arrival at La Ferme Bouvat

Arrival late afternoon.

Dinner*, night and breakfast in Chambres d'Hôtes (rural B+B) in a comfortable restored farmhouse.
* Meals are prepared as far as possible using locally resourced produce.

D2 Getting to know donkey and exploring the village of Eygluy

12.2 kilometre stage (circa 7 ½ miles) with 500 metres altitude change (c. 1,600 feet rise) - about 4 hours 30 mins.
This outing will help you get to know your travelling companion...
The walk up to the Col (pass) de Véraut is rewarded by a lovely view over the Vallon d’Eygluy. The hamlet at the pass is given over to goat breeding and lavender growing, and the route back to your lodgings takes you through this lovely countryside.

Dinner, room and breakfast in the Chambres d'Hôtes at the Ferme Bouvat.

D3 From Eygluy to La Vacherie

15.7 km stage with around 630m total rise. About 4hrs 30mins.
Lovely walk in unspoilt countryside in the Valley of the Gervanne river. You go up towards Plan de Baix by a steep path to come to the Croix (cross) du Vellan overlooking the village. Stop a while to enjoy the superb panorama facing you - the Forest of Saou with its celebrated lofty Cretaceous syncline culminating in the distinctive 3 becs ('3 beaks' - a triple mountain top) at 1557 metres ( over 5000 feet!).
Then you continue towards the north on a broad track mainly bordered by undergrowth, with great views over the Plateau of the Vercors.

Dinner, night and breakfast in gîte d'étape.

D4 Around La Vacherie until Léoncel

13.2 km stage with 230metres total rise. About 4hours.
Today you enjoy a ramble along the plateau at between 900 and 1000 metres altitude.
It's a walk without any major difficulty that invites you to step out across the broad pastureland.
As you go throught the small village of Léoncel, you'll discover the beautiful Cistercian Abbey founded in 1137. It is open to the public all year round, a place of wonderous calm and peace.
Then a gentle slope along a fine forestry track brings you to the Col de Limouches (1086 metres) overlooking the Plain of Valence.

Dinner, room and breakfast in gîte d'étape.

D5 Walk from La Vacherie to Beaufort sur Gervanne

15 km stage with 130 metres total rise. Around 4hrs30.
For this last walk, you will take the GR 9 up to the ruins of Chaffal. From there, you will walk on the other side of the mountain, more to the west. The small country road will lead you little by little into an undergrowth that you will descend while contemplating the Vellan plateau and further south, the Saoû forest with the 3 Becs massif. The arrival is in the middle of the fields, on the heights of Beaufort sur Gervanne. Take the time to quench your thirst at the brewery next door before we come to collect you.

Departure.