Walks and hikes
toward the Vercors lakes

Bad news: the Vercors is a karst massif. The rock erodes easily, especially under the action of rain.

So underground lakes and rivers at the bottom of chasms are what characterise this limestone massif.

If you are still looking for a hike toward a lake, here are a couple of options.

You may accept that you will only find a hill reservoir, dug by people for snowmaking. You will reach these lakes along the wide tracks that serve as ski runs in winter.

Or, you can dip into the cool of gorges, the rare places where water still runs at the surface in the Vercors.

Here are three walk or hike ideas to reach a reservoir or to dip your feet in the cool of a gorge.

Hiking at Villard-de-Lans: Lac des Prés

Lac des Prés is one of the two hill reservoirs of the Villard-Corrençon ski resort. Many paths lead to it.

The fastest route is probably to take the gondola up and walk down to the lake. The wildest option is to start from the Clots car park, above Les Glovettes.

We recommend this second route. It first leads to the Abri de la Fauge, an open hut that may make you want to come back for a mountain bivouac.

Then you climb a picturesque forest trail. The lapiaz (eroded limestone pavement) adds a touch of magic. It is another geological feature, also shaped by rain.

The trail eventually leaves the forest and reaches the reservoir known as Lac des Prés.

See the route on a map.

This second route is the one we recommend for an easy family outing when everyone walks from time to time.

Experienced hikers can start from the centre of Villard-de-Lans and add the bonus of the Cascade de la Fauge.

Hike at Lans-en-Vercors: the Bruyant Gorges

A gorge is a tight passage between two cliff walls. Sometimes water flows through. That is the case for the Bruyant Gorges between Lans-en-Vercors, Saint-Nizier-du-Moucherotte and Engins.

You can reach the spot directly by bus from Lans or Grenoble (Les Volants stop, Saint-Nizier, then about twenty minutes' walk up to the top of the gorges). You can also park in the small lay-by along the departmental road for a quick cool-off outing (will there still be a spot on a heatwave day?).

But maybe you would rather walk from the village of Lans-en-Vercors, after picking up something for a picnic at the market or the bakery.

In that case, an easy and pleasant hike awaits.

You first walk along the meadows where dairy cows graze.

Then you arrive at the foot of the gorges.

Many nooks let you take a break in the cool. Time for a picnic, or to dip your feet?

The trail then climbs gradually, offering views of small waterfalls or the more impressive Cascade du Bruyant.

You may notice the remains of an old watermill.

You leave the gorges and join the Via Vercors, which takes you back to Lans.

See the route on a map.

Hiking at Autrans-Méaudre: the Méaudret Gorges

This third hike idea also lets you dip your feet, this time in the Méaudret Gorges.

As with the previous suggestions, you can easily reach the water (with small children, or in a chiller mood than an explorer's) by parking in the many lay-bys along the departmental road that links Villard-de-Lans to Méaudre. The Four Mountains bus also serves these gorges, and is a good option on the hottest days when parking spots are scarce.

For regular hikers, here is a route a notch more physical than the previous ones.

See the route on a map.

From the centre of Méaudre village, the Via Vercors guides you to the Méaudret Gorges and then through them on a wide path.

Take time to dip your feet, because the rest of the route will pull you out of the gorges and their cool air, into open views and panoramas across the Vercors.

At the Bas-Méaudret hamlet, we suggest taking a trail that has fallen into oblivion. It leads to the Haut-Méaudret hamlet, where you pick up the yellow-and-green waymarking.

You will pass an imposing house at the hamlet of La Martinière, before a short and intense climb. A pause at the top lets you enjoy the panorama (Grande Moucherolle, Bois Barbu, etc.) before a steady descent toward the Refuge des Narces.

On this little-walked trail, you may meet a chamois.

Finally, if your legs and heart are willing, a small detour to the Crêt belvedere is well worth it. It offers a plunging view over the Autrans and Méaudre valley. From there, the descent to the village is fast.

This short tour of water-themed hikes around Villard-de-Lans, Lans-en-Vercors and Autrans may make you want to discover more of the Vercors.

You can contact the Pied Vert mountain leaders for a guided outing, whether you are aiming for a water spot or for the most striking geological features of the Vercors.

Contact and booking for a hike in the Vercors or a nature activity at Villard-de-Lans by phone or email: 07 66 64 90 96 or contactpiedvert.com pbagnpg@cvrqireg.pbz.

The Vercors is a vast massif. We can also mention the famous and well-trodden Omblèze Gorges in the southern Vercors, or the Cascade Blanche in the Royans area, for a refreshing stop.

Note that the first photo shows a short-lived body of water. It was taken in spring on the Molière pasture.

In the mood for arid landscapes? You might dive into a traverse of the Vercors Highlands in midsummer, or a more sporting hike toward a summit such as the Grand Veymont.

Or you could change atmosphere entirely for a crystalline massif: have a look at the Valgaudemar lakes.

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Also worth discovering at Villard-de-Lans

Our nature activities in the mountains from Villard-de-Lans, Corrençon-en-Vercors, Lans-en-Vercors or Autrans: