Wide-open pastures, limestone cliffs threaded with secret passages, and villages where dinner still means real Alpine cooking: the Vercors plateau in France packs a surprising amount of terrain into a single week. This self-guided hiking route threads through Autrans, Corrençon, and Villard-de-Lans, past resistance-era ruins, mountain refuges, and views that reach Mont Blanc on a clear day. Most days offer a shorter and a longer option, so the pace stays flexible from one village to the next. Bags travel by vehicle, hotels are booked in advance, and the only real task each morning is deciding which trail to follow.
This week-long self-guided route crosses the Vercors plateau over 5 days of hiking, linking the villages of Autrans, Corrençon, and Villard-de-Lans in the French Prealps. The trail moves through wide-open pastures, limestone ridgelines, cliffside passages known locally as "pas," and the wartime ruins of Valchevrière, with views reaching as far as Mont Blanc on clear days. Most days include both a shorter and longer route option, so the pace can flex from one village to the next. Luggage transfers, half-board hotels, and a digital navigation app are arranged in advance so the only thing left to do is show up and hike.
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Add-ons (pricing shown at checkout):
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The Vercors plateau is best suited to hikers with good fitness. There’s no technically difficult terrain here, no scrambling or exposure, but some days are long. Expect anywhere from 2.5 to 7 hours of hiking a day, covering up to 18 km (11.1 mi), with as much as 725 m (2,380 ft) of elevation gain on the toughest stages.
Most days offer a shorter and a longer route, so it’s possible to dial the difficulty up or down depending on how the legs feel that morning.
Want to see what else is there in the area? Discover more walking holidays in France here!
Clothing:
Gear:
Optional:
Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.
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Your main bag travels by vehicle from hotel to hotel each day, so you only carry a daypack while hiking. Each guest gets one bag, up to 20 kg (44 lbs), and it’s only accessible again at the end of each day’s hike, not during it. Anything extra you don’t need on the trail can be left at the hotel in Autrans for the rest of your stay there.
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 plateau hiking tour, we take care of lodging, most meals, luggage transfers, airport transfers, and tourist taxes.
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!
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 pricing
A Vercors plateau hiking tour can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.
Min. age requirements
If your group has participants under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
The starting point of your Vercors plateau hiking tour is Autrans. To get there, most people fly into Lyon Airport (LYS) or go to the Lyon train station if arriving by train. From there, you’ll be transferred to Autrans.
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.
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.
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Value for money! Very professional organization, nice hotels, nice trip planning with beautiful landscape!