Les Secrets du Cirque d'Archiane

The Archiane cirque is a treasure trove in more ways than one: at the end of the Vercors, the Diois, the wealth of its inhabitants and its flora and fauna! Here you are in the heart of the wilderness, ready to take advantage of the infinite possibilities for hiking.

1 / Archiane
Arrival in Archiane between 4pm and 6pm. Settle in the heart of the village for 5 nights.

D2 / Archiane, the vulture trail
There's nothing like the "sentier des vautours" (vulture trail) set up by the Parc du Vercors to get a feel for the area. It takes in the small waterfalls of the Combe de l'Aubaise, the Archiane rock so popular with climbers and the "Fond de Pédane", an ideal vantage point overlooking the garden head where griffon vultures nest. You can also explore the Tournières resurgences, and contemplate the cliffs from the Belvedere. The most courageous can climb up to the 3rd arch.
4 to 5 hrs walk. 400 to 700 m ascent.

D3 / Le Jardin du Roy and Tussac
After ascending the combe de l'Aubaise and reaching the foot of the wall at "Pestel", we enter the realm of chamois and ibex. At the 4 chemins de l'Aubaise, we enter the reserve and ascend to the high plateaus at the heart of an enchanting universe, often bucolic and sometimes harsh. From meadows to lapiaz, weaving our way between hooked pines, we reach the estives of the transhumant ewes at Jardin du Roy. After a detour to the Tête du Jardin to get a closer look at the vultures, we head south to the bergeries de Tussac at the end of the Plateau. This is where the bearded vulture was reintroduced. The descent takes us through the old lavender fields of the village of Bénevise and the GR93, which leads us back to our base camp.
7 to 8 h walk. 1100 m ascent.

D4 / Vallon de Combeau.
This is the best access to the high plateau nature reserve. Initially defended by a spectacular yellow and ochre rock, a little narrow and austere at Côte chèvre level, the valley becomes a bucolic alley, preliminary to the steppe atmosphere of the high plateaux. The itinerary possibilities are endless: a botanical stroll through the hay meadows, a family hike to observe the marmots at Essaure, the aerial ridges of Praorzel, the summits of Montagnette or Tête Chevalière... But whatever you choose, the views over the Trièves, Dévoluy and Oisans are incomparable, and the proximity of Mont-Aiguille - the emblematic mountain - is enchanting.
4 to 6 hours' walking. 300 to 700 m ascent.

D5 / Mont-Barral.
Mont-Barral is an elegant mountain on the south side of the Col de Menée. Situated between Isère and Drôme, it offers a bird's-eye view of the Trièves basin and a panoramic view of the Dauphiné Alps. Crossing it is a varied itinerary, combining beech-fir forests, flowering lawns, aerial ridges and alpine meadows. The return journey is via the mountain pasture track, but you could also consider a round-trip ascent of Le Jocou, the highest point in the Diois.
3h30 walking time. 500 m ascent.
or 6 hrs 30 mins walk and 900 m ascent with Mont Jocou.

D6 / Les Sucettes de Borne and Montagne de Bellemotte.
The Sucettes de Borne (Borne lollipops) are large limestone slabs that were straightened during the Alpine uplift and then individualized by the erosion of intermediate marls. From the village of Borne, the hike follows the Puscle stream to the Sucettes and then to the refuge de la Tour, wonderfully situated at the foot of Montagne de Bellemotte. It's an ideal place for meditation, but the action may well take us to the summit of Bellemotte, where we're likely to spot chamois and marmots. Return to Archiane and departure around 5pm.
3 to 6 hours' walking. 600 to 1050 m ascent.

The little extras :
- an exceptional base camp in the heart of the cliff cirque
- a guide who knows the area and its secrets inside out
- quality meals prepared with local produce