Conquering the Vercors, between snowshoes and raclette

We meet at 1pm at the gîte to get to know each other and settle in. Once we're ready, we'll set off on our first hike from the Col de la Machine.

After taking our first steps in the snow and getting used to our snowshoes, we'll explore the Écharasson mountain, with its dense forests dotted with chasms and scialets. We'll then walk along the rocks to reach a viewpoint offering a breathtaking view of the Combe Laval cirque, marked by an impressive four-kilometre gash.

On the way back, we climb up through a forested valley, before making our way quietly back down to our accommodation. The day will end with a delicious dinner on the way back to our gîte, where a friendly atmosphere awaits us as we reflect on this wonderful first day.

After a hearty breakfast at the gîte, we set off (45 mins) towards the mountain of Beure, one of the gateways to the Vercors High Plateaux National Nature Reserve. The first part of our route plunges us into a wild atmosphere, echoing the days when brown bears roamed these forests. We soon cross the boundary of the sub-alpine forest and enter the southern end of the reserve.

We'll have the choice of enjoying our picnic in the sunshine or in the shelter of a typical Alpine hut, the Pré Peyret hut. On the way back, we'll first take part of the same route, passing close to a refuge area for the little capercaillie, before reaching the ridges to admire a magnificent viewpoint. If we're lucky, we might even catch a glimpse of griffon vultures in flight!

The walk ends with a leisurely descent to the family-friendly resort of Col du Rousset. Afterwards, we'll take the bus back to our gîte, where a warm welcome awaits us, perhaps over a hearty raclette or other regional delicacies.

After a good night's rest, we set off (25 mins) towards the Crobache refuge, a rustic hut isolated in the heart of the wilderness. We wind our way through clearings and forests, where the snow often bears the tracks of animals that have passed through during the night. This is a great opportunity to spot the tracks of deer, roe deer, chamois, wild boar and hares. Near the hut, we'll have the choice of eating inside or soaking up the sun outside.

In the afternoon, we'll climb to the Serre Plumé ridge at 1573 m, offering a breathtaking view of the Vassieux-en-Vercors valley. On the way down, we'll cross the superb snow-covered lawn of Derbounouze, before climbing back up to the Vauneyre barn and the Resistance memorial.

At the end of the day, we return to our gîte, where a convivial evening awaits us, ideal for relaxing over a good meal and sharing memories of the day.

On this final day, we'll be heading for the Fond d'Urle plateau, a magnificent Nordic walk offering breathtaking panoramic views of the Vercors range and its 2341-metre peak: the Grand Veymont. From the Fond d'Urle station, we'll be following a route that climbs right up to the edge of the cliffs, revealing breathtaking views of the Diois along the ridge. Depending on the mood of the group, we can make a detour to Puy de la Gagère, the highest point of our expedition at 1651 metres.

The second part of the route takes us through snow-covered meadows, with a landscape sculpted by hollows and bumps, valleys and sinkholes, offering a semi-desert plateau atmosphere. It's a complete change of scenery, with wild nature and soothing solitude.

After a day full of discoveries, we'll head back to our gîte, where we'll conclude this wonderful Nordic adventure with a lifetime of memories.

The expedition ends at 17:30, back at the gîte.

NB: The programme may be adapted according to snow and weather conditions.