Want to reach the Grand Veymont, the highest point of the Vercors, by the easiest route?

For a summit altitude of 2 341 m, the climb to the Grand Veymont can be done from three starting points if you want a round trip in the day.

We can only recommend taking your time for an ascent over several days with a full traverse of the Vercors Highlands.

Bivouac is tolerated in the Highlands national reserve, but you would rather go back down to your hotel or campsite? No problem, you can also do a return trip in the day.

For that, three main routes are available, plus as many variants as careful IGN map readers.

The one from Gresse-en-Vercors that reaches the summit by the Pas de la Ville. Google calls it the easiest today.

We do not agree.

Our experience as professional mountain leaders confirms that this climb is the fastest: 9 kilometres (18 km return) and just 1 100 m of climb. The final ascent, though, is not the simplest.

In the scree above the Pas de la Ville, a tired hiker near the summit will probably prefer the grassy ledges where ibex often graze.

Another common route starts from Saint-Michel-les-Portes via the Pas des Bachassons.

From the hamlet of La Batie, the trail climbs, then climbs hard. In total, that’s 1 200 m of climb over 8 kilometres (16 km return) to the Vercors summit.

There is a third classic route, from the Coche car park on the Saint-Agnan-en-Vercors side.

This is the one that strikes us as the most accessible, with its 10 kilometres (20 km return) for around 1 000 m of climb. Beyond the numbers, it is the profile of the hike that makes it easier.

A first traverse of the Highlands lets you warm up gently on near-Nordic terrain. Then the real climb starts before the Pas des Chatons.

Finally, the last ascent on the grassy ledges unfolds with a growing view as you reach the summit.

Mont Aiguille, Trièves, Highlands, Écrins, Belledonne… the view is panoramic.

The Grand Veymont, highest summit of the Vercors

The Grand Veymont peaks at 2 341 m. It is the highest Vercors summit.

To reach it on foot, you first enter the Vercors Highlands nature reserve and then climb its flanks via the Pas de la Ville to the north or the Pas des Chatons to the south.

Before reaching either flank, several alternatives are available with different physical commitments for a hiker in fair condition.

From the Trièves side, the climb starts at Saint-Michel-les-Portes. The outbound leg counts more than 1 200 m of climb, broken into two parts. A first ascent up a scree slope to the Pas des Bachassons. Arriving on the pasture, a small flat lets the hiker catch their breath before tackling the remaining 500 m of climb. The route is best continued by going down the Pas de la Ville to the Baraque Forestière du Veymont and back to Saint-Michel.

For our part, we more often take a different route for a day hike.

The climb from the Maison Forestière de la Coche

Mountain leaders based on the Four Mountains (hike Villard-de-Lans, Corrençon, Autrans-Méaudre, Lans-en-Vercors), we most often start from the parking of the Maison Forestière de la Coche (Saint-Agnan).

Different forest roads lead to the Pas de la Ville or the Pas des Chatons before climbing to the Grand Veymont.

The Combeau road runs straight toward the Veymont, while the Rachier road, for a few extra metres, is waymarked. We prefer it if you are not used to map-reading (maybe time to brush up on mountain navigation).

In photos, here are a few images of the Combeau forest road, with its gradual ascent.

A cairned trail crosses Bonneveau before reaching the Pas des Chatons. The marmots will surely be waiting for you.

A small detour via summit 1975 between the Pas du Fouillet and the Pas des Bachassons gives a view of the Grand Veymont and the Aiguillette du Veymont, and maybe the chance to meet Alpine ibex.

This first part of the hike already delivers landscapes and encounters with mountain wildlife.

The summit and its panorama

The sporty hiker tackles the final switchbacks to the summit. Sweeping view over the Trièves, Belledonne, the Écrins and, above all, the Dévoluy from the Obiou to the Grand Ferrand. On the other side, the Trois Becs and the Plateau d’Ambel stand out. To the north, the Grande Moucherolle closes a fine line drawn by the cliffs above Gresse-en-Vercors.

Not to mention the view over Mont Aiguille. Who said you needed a rope to set foot on it?

You may also cross paths with a rock ptarmigan.

The photos above were taken at the best hours of the day, during a sunset and sunrise on a bivouac on the Vercors Highlands.

So, fancy a hiking weekend in the mountains on the Grand Veymont?

The Grand Veymont from Saint-Agnan-en-Vercors

For this outing to the Grand Veymont from Saint-Agnan, the Maison Forestière de la Coche, count:

Average duration: 8h
Distance: 20 km
Climb: 950 m
Descent: same (it’s a loop)
High point: 2 341 m (highest point of the massif)
Low point: 1 330 m (the Coche car park)

Climbing the Grand Veymont with a leader

Still hesitating between routes?

You may want to be guided by a mountain professional? The Veymont can also be climbed on a guided hike, with a leader who knows both of its flanks. You can check our prices for the hikes in the Vercors we run and reach us directly by phone (07 66 64 90 96) or by email contactpiedvert.com pbagnpg@cvrqireg.pbz.

Happy hike!

Reviews and comments

Enjoyed this digital walk up to the Grand Veymont? You can contact us to book a hike in the Vercors or keep walking digitally on the Molière crests.

The photo below showing the Grand Veymont is by mountain photographer Pierre LONCHAMPT, who walks the Alps through the seasons to capture the landscapes the massifs offer, especially his favourite, the Vercors. We invite you to discover more of his work and the prints he sells on his website: pierrelonchampt.com

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