Grand Veymont
2,341 m
France
Also known as Le Grand Veymont, Гран-ВеймонAlso known as
Le Grand Veymont · Гран-Веймон
- Elevation
- 2,341 m
- Prominence
- 1,165 m
- Difficulty
- 3/10
- Mountain hike
- Best Season
- Jun–Sep
- Routes
- 1
Routes
1The usual ascent from the ski station of Gresse-en-Vercors (Champ de l'Herse, 1,282 m): a steep forest and scree path to the Pas de la Ville (1,925 m), then south across l'Agnellerie and up the crest on unmarked paths, with one short exposed section and a few hands-on steps, to the highest point of the Vercors. About 1,060 m of ascent, 12 km and 5½–6 hours return.
Elevation Profile
- Distance
- 4.9 km
- one way
- Ascent
- +1,098 m
- start → summit
- High Point
- 2,341 m
- Time Up
- 4h 17m
- DIN 33466
- Time Down
- 2h 50m
- DIN 33466 · same way back
From the far end of the Gresse-en-Vercors ski station car park at Champ de l'Herse (1,282 m), past the Maison du Grand-Veymont, follow signs to 'Sous le Pas de la Ville', passing the resort's reservoir. After about 1 km the path steepens through the forest and climbs above the trees to the signpost below the pass (about 1,710 m), then on stony zigzags into the Hauts-Plateaux du Vercors nature reserve at the Pas de la Ville (1,925 m). Yellow-green waymarks end here. At the pass turn left (south). The path becomes more technical, with a short section exposed to the drop and a few steps where hands are needed, then crosses the flat area of l'Agnellerie past a large cairn. The final climb follows the broad crest, above the eastern cliffs, to the summit (2,341 m), with Mont Aiguille below to the south-east. Ibex are common near the top. Return the same way to below the Pas de la Ville, then optionally fork right towards the Baraque du Veymont for an easier descent past the sources of the Gresse. There is no water on the route. Snow lingers in spring and the crest is a serious place in fog or winter conditions.
Start
Champ de l'Herse1,249 m
- No bus service to Gresse-en-Vercors was confirmed; the nearest railway stations are on the Grenoble–Gap line (Monestier-de-Clermont, Clelles).
- Parking at the trailhead
Stages
| Day | Stage | km | m ascent | m descent | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Champ de l'Herse → Grand Veymont | 4.9 | 1,098 | 6 | 4h 17m |
Waypoints
- Parking: Champ de l'Herse1,249 m
Free car park at the far end of the ski station, past the Maison du Grand-Veymont
- Feature: Sous le Pas de la Ville1,932 m
Signposted junction above the forest
- Col: Pas de la Ville1,932 m
not on route line
- Summit: Grand Veymont2,341 m
Key Passages
- Steep forest and scree climb to the Pas de la Ville
- Short exposed section and hands-on steps south of the pass
- Summit crest above the eastern cliffs
Equipment
0/6 packedDownloads
Route confidence 80%Overview
The Grand Veymont (2,341 m) is the highest point of the Vercors massif, a tilted limestone slab whose gentle western slopes rise from the wild Hauts-Plateaux and whose east face drops in cliffs above Gresse-en-Vercors. A long but non-technical walk via the Pas de la Ville leads to wide views from Mont Blanc to Mont Ventoux.
The Grand Veymont lies on the eastern rim of the Hauts-Plateaux du Vercors, between the Pas de la Ville to the north and the Pas des Chattons to the south, with Mont Aiguille standing apart a few kilometres to the south-east. Its Urgonian limestone beds dip at about 30° to the west, giving a long, grassy and stony back slope, while the east side breaks off in cliffs. With 1,165 m of prominence it is the high point of a broad area, and the panorama takes in Grenoble, Chartreuse, the Écrins, Mont Blanc, the Grandes Rousses, the Obiou and Mont Ventoux.
The summit lies inside the Hauts-Plateaux du Vercors national nature reserve, the largest land nature reserve in metropolitan France, with strict rules (no dogs at any time). There is no road on the plateau, and most routes are long. The shortest and busiest goes up from the Gresse-en-Vercors ski station via the Pas de la Ville; longer, quieter approaches come from La Coche and the plateau to the west.
It is a walk rather than a climb, but a serious one: about 1,100 m of ascent, a short exposed section above the Pas de la Ville, no water, and an exposed crest that is dangerous in fog or winter conditions. Large herds of ibex live on the upper slopes.
Climbing Notes
Fitness for a 6-hour day with about 1,100 m of ascent is required, plus sure-footedness for the short exposed section and a few steps where hands are needed south of the Pas de la Ville. Carry all your water, as there is no permanent spring. Waymarks end at the Pas de la Ville, so carry a map or GPS track. Start early in summer to avoid heat and afternoon storms. In spring snow can linger on the north side of the crest; in winter the ascent is a ski tour or snowshoe outing for experienced parties, with cornices and avalanche risk on the eastern side. Leave dogs at home: they are banned in the reserve.
History
On 23 July 1944 five young Resistance fighters from Gresse-en-Vercors were killed near the Pas de la Ville. On 10 February 2007 a light aircraft flying from London to Cannes crashed in a snowstorm near the Pas de la Ville at about 1,960 m, killing all three people on board.
Season
Best Jun–Sep- January: Not advisable
- February: Not advisable
- March: Possible
- April: Possible
- May: Good
- June: Best (best window)
- July: Best (best window)
- August: Best (best window)
- September: Best (best window)
- October: Good
- November: Possible
- December: Not advisable
- Jan
- Winter; ski touring or snowshoeing for experienced parties only
- Feb
- Winter
- Mar
- Ski touring; avalanche risk on the eastern slopes
- Apr
- Spring snow on the crest
- May
- Snow patches possible near the Pas de la Ville
- Jun
- Alpine flowers; ibex with young
- Jul
- Busy; hot, start early; afternoon storms
- Aug
- Busy; carry plenty of water
- Oct
- Shorter days; first snow possible
- Nov
- Early winter conditions possible
- Dec
- Winter
Access & Permits
- Rules
- Hauts-Plateaux du Vercors national nature reserve: dogs are banned all year, even on a lead (fine EUR 135)
- No camping; bivouacking is allowed only between 17:00 and 09:00, with tents taken down during the day
- No fires or barbecues; no picking of plants or fossils; drones, paragliding take-offs and landings are prohibited; mountain bikes only on marked routes
- Getting There
Gresse-en-Vercors; Monestier-de-Clermont
Grenoble Alpes-Isère (GNB); Lyon Saint-Exupéry (LYS)
- Car: from Grenoble by the A51 to Monestier-de-Clermont, then the road to Gresse-en-Vercors and its ski station (Champ de l'Herse car park, free)
- West side: forest road to the Maison forestière de la Coche (about 1,350 m), about 7 km of forest track
- Train to Monestier-de-Clermont or Clelles on the Grenoble–Gap line; onward transport to Gresse not confirmed
Hazards
- Exposure
- Weather
- Avalanche
- Cornices