Vercors Cycling: 7-Day Self-Guided Tour

Things to know

• What’s included?

  Included:

  • • 7-day Vercors cycling tour (self-guided)
    • Accommodation for 6 nights in hotels (most with a swimming pool)
    • 6 breakfasts & 6 dinners
    • Luggage transfers
    • Digital travel package
    • Smartphone travel app with GPX files
    • 24/7 support
    • Tourist fees

  Add-ons (available to add at checkout)

  • • E-MTB rental
    • E-MTB insurance
    • Single occupancy room
    • Printed travel package
    • Extra night(s) in a 3-star hotel Lans-en-Vercors before and/or after the tour
    • Extra night in a 3-star hotel in Autrans

  Not included:

  • • Transportation to France
    • Drinks
    • Lunches
    • Site visits
    • Anything not mentioned under “included”
    • Insurance — available to add at checkout

  Should you need to make any changes to your booking after confirmation, please be aware that a €50 administrative fee applies to each modification.

• How fit do I need to be?

  This Vercors cycling tour is best suited for cyclists with experience, with the level of difficulty adaptable depending on how much distance you’d like to cover. Expect hilly terrain with daily elevation gains of around 200 to 800 m (660-2,625 ft), and rides ranging from 20 to 40 km (12.5-25 mi) per day. The routes follow quiet minor roads, tracks, and gravel paths, offering rewarding rides without major technical challenges.

  For more bike adventures in France, click here!

• What do I need to bring?

  When packing for this Vercors cycling tour, think layered clothing systems that work together and can be easily added or removed. 

  Avoid cotton or cycling-specific clothing. Synthetic fabrics dry quickly and perform well in active conditions. Merino wool is also an excellent option—it dries fast, is comfortable to wear, and naturally resists odors even after extended use.

  All you’ll need to carry during the day is a small bag or saddle bag. You’ll get your luggage transferred to your hotel in the evening (transfer by a taxi). Please limit your luggage to 1 bag per person, max 20 kg.

  If your bike doesn’t have a saddlebag, bring a 40L backpack with a waist strap to carry your daily essentials and picnic while cycling. If your bike is equipped with a rack, you can secure your bag with a bungee cord. Please note that the rented mountain e-bikes do not come with saddlebags, so a backpack is still recommended—it makes it easy to keep your belongings with you when visiting attractions along the route.

  Clothing:

  • • Cycling shoes
    • Socks — one pair for every day or two days of the trip (hiking/sport specific padded socks, no cotton please)
    • Sun hat — wide brimmed hat or baseball cap/bandana combo
    • T-shirts or cycling jerseys
    • Warm top — mid-weight sweater or pullover of wicking material such as merino wool, fleece or polypropylene
    • Windbreaker
    • Cycling shorts
    • Cycling gloves — optional
    • Rain gear
    • Casual clothing & footwear – comfortable clothes and shoes to wear in the evening after activities.

  Gear:

  • • Helmet
    • Daypack
    • Personal luggage
    • Hydration system — 2+ liters capacity, either water bottles or bladder/hose system and an additional water bottle
    • Headlamp — preferably with an L.E.D. bulb that works with AA or AAA batteries
    • Picnic/lunch kit — knife, plate or bowl, box with closeable lid, utensils, etc.
    • Phone, charger, power bank
    • Waterproof travel case or pouch — used to keep important documents (i.e. passport, health/travel insurance, etc.) & phone safe from weather/water
    • Sunglasses, sunscreen, & lip balm
    • First aid kit
    • Personal toilet paper kit — toilet paper, wet wipes, sanitizer & sealable plastic bag(s) for carrying out used paper/wipes
    • Toiletries
    • Contact lenses & glasses
    • Prescription medication — with emergency back-up supply
    • Cash in local currency

  First aid kit suggestions:

  Carrying a basic personal first aid kit is strongly advised, as unforeseen situations may arise during travel. Access to medications and first aid supplies can be limited in certain destinations, making it essential to bring necessary prescription and over-the-counter items. Travel plans, vaccinations, and medication use should be reviewed with a healthcare provider in advance to ensure a safe and smooth journey.

  Here’s a basic list of what’s generally a good personal travel first aid kit:

  • • Medications — brands of choice; all medications should be prescribed or approved by a doctor prior to use
    • Prescription drugs — any required prescriptions with backup doses (kept in carry-on luggage)
    • Epinephrine — multiple doses recommended if severe allergies are present, with doctor prescription
    • Pain relief — ibuprofen, aspirin, non-aspirin (e.g., Tylenol)
    • Antihistamine — diphenhydramine (e.g., Benadryl)
    • Non-drowsy allergy relief — loratadine (e.g., Claritin)
    • Antacid/heartburn relief — bismuth (e.g., Pepto-Bismol), antacid tablets
    • Anti-diarrheal — loperamide hydrochloride (e.g., Imodium)
    • Cold/flu medicine
    • Electrolyte replacement/drink mix
    • Creams — antibiotic ointment, anti-itch (hydrocortisone), arnica
    • Eye problems: dry/itchy — eye drops
    • Feminine hygiene — tampons, pads
    • Wound care — assorted bandages, antiseptic swabs
    • Blister kit
    • Sun protection — sunscreen, SPF lip balm
    • Various items — athletic tape/“KT tape,” nail clippers, tweezers, small bottle of hand sanitizer, sewing kit (for clothing/button repairs), disposable surgical gloves (1–2 pairs)

  Optional items:

  • • Face masks — 2–3 recommended
    • Travel power adapter
    • Support braces — joint braces if currently needed or from past injuries (e.g., knee, ankle, elbow)
    • Sleep mask & ear plugs
    • Bug repellent
    • Quick drying towel or bandana(s)
    • Swimsuit

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• Can I rent a bike?

  Yes! Your guides offer bike rental—you have a choice between an e-mountain bike and an e-mountain bike with full suspension. You can add it to your trip at checkout.

  You can also take a normal mountain bike or a hybrid bike, but the tour will be more challenging.

• What is a self-guided tour?

  Self-guided tours are perfect for those who enjoy exploring on their own terms—at their own pace, and with the company they choose. By joining this self-guided Vercors cycling tour, we take care of…

  • • accommodation for 6 nights in hotels (most with a swimming pool)
    • 6 breakfasts & 6 dinners
    • luggage transfers
    • digital travel package
    • smartphone travel app
    • 24/7 support
    • tourist fees.

  Rather than joining a guided group, you’ll navigate the tour yourself, using resources provided by the tour operator. For a hassle-free journey with everything arranged for you in advance, there’s no better option!

  Digital travel package includes documents available in English, French, and German, sent by email, and provides access to a smartphone travel application for navigating hikes and accessing local maps (available in English only). It also contains the list of booked accommodations, and all the detailed information needed for a successful trip. If desired, a printed version of the travel package can be provided for an additional fee; it will be ready and available at the first accommodation of the itinerary, including maps, a topo guide, and a travel folder—you can add this at checkout.

  As a self-guided tour is built around your preferred travel dates, your guide will take care of arranging accommodations and details after you book. Note that exact accommodations and dates might shift slightly, so don’t make any travel arrangements until the details of your adventure are confirmed.

• Group sizes and age requirements

  Group sizes and pricing

  • • Due to safety reasons, it takes a minimum of 2 people for this self-guided Vercors cycling tour to operate. Solo hikers are not allowed to join.
    • The maximum group size is set at 16 participants.

  Vercors cycling tours can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

  Min. age requirements

  • • If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
    • Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to join the Vercors cycling tour on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.

  If your group has participants under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

• Is a single occupancy room available?

  The price for this Vercors cycling tour is based on twin-share rooms, but a single occupancy room can be arranged at an additional fee. You can add it to your booking at checkout.

• Getting there and meeting location

  The starting point of your Vercors cycling tour is Lans-en-Vercors. To get there, most people fly into Lyon Airport,(LYS) or Geneva Airport (GVA). Depending on where you land, it will take you 1.5-3 hours to reach Lans-en-Vercors—either rent a car, use public transport, or hire a shuttle service.

  Arrival is on Day 1 of the tour—check into your hotel and the rental bike will be delivered.

• Safety measures and insurance

  We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with insurance. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, you’ll be offered to simply insure your trip with Redpoint at checkout.

  Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner—tailors protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations! Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.

• Deposit and cancellation policy

  Deposits

  Secure your spot with a 30% deposit upon booking! The remaining 70% of the trip price must be paid 90 days prior to departure at the latest. If booking within 90 days of departure, the full amount is required at the time of booking.

  Cancellations

  Booking fees are non-refundable after a 48-hour grace period. During checkout, however, you can choose one of 57hours’ flexibility options—Basic, Flexible, or Super Flexible. Depending on which one you choose, a different cancellation policy will apply to your booking.

  Basic

  • • If cancelled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
    • If cancelled 60 or more days before departure, a 70% refund of the total trip price will be issued.
    • If cancelled within 59 days of departure, no refund will be issued.

  Flexible

  • • If cancelled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
    • If cancelled 60 or more days before departure, a full refund of the total trip price will be issued.
    • If cancelled 30-59 days before departure, a 50% refund of the total trip price will be issued.
    • If cancelled within 29 days of departure, no refund will be issued.

  Super Flexible

  • • If cancelled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
    • If cancelled 30 or more days before departure, a full refund of the total trip price will be issued.
    • If cancelled within 29 days of departure, a 50% refund of the total trip price will be issued.