Vercors National Park

Climb the equivalent to Mount Everest!

The Vercors is a unique region of the Alps, which stretches from Valence in the East, Grenoble in the North and Die in the South and covers an area of approximately 5,000 km sq. The landscape is made up of deep valley gorges, grassy plateaux  and river valleys offering a fabulous variety of routes along low traffic, well surfaced roads. It houses over 22 Cols including the famous Combe Laval and Gorges de la Bourne, recognised as 2 of the most spectacular roads in France engineered out of the cliff face over 100 years ago.  There are 17,000m of mountain passes to climb all within proximity of our base, making it possible to climb the equivalent of Mount Everest - 9,000 m within 7 days.  

We are situated in the charming town of St.Jean-en-Royans  nestled 240ms at the base of the Spectacular Vercors National Park on the western side of the range where the 'Cirque de Combe Laval' - the largest of its kind in Europe and listed as a site of outstanding beauty begins. From Velo Vercors, turn right and start climbing!

Variety of cycling routes to suit all

As well as the Cols, the region features the rolling hills of the Drome and the flatter Isere valley. En route, you will  pass through medieval towns with abbeys and magnificent aqueducts, cascading waterfalls, walnut orchards, rare fauna and flora surrounded by spectacular scenery all around.

The combination of terrain, climate, extensive network of seconday roads and  cycling culture make The Vercors a unbeatable region to ride and explore.

We are now featured on Google Earth Street View where you can follow the climbs and valleys, pass by our house and gites and explore the region.

St.Jean-en-Royans

St Jean-en-Royans is an historical French town/village with a good infrastructure of restaurants, cafes and shops, including a local supermarket. All our rides start from the front door where there is only local traffic or those heading up the Vercors, so it is quite possible to ride for 2 or 3 hours with only a couple of cars passing you. Even during the peak summer months of July and August the region is a cyclists paradise.

Great cycling, great hospitality. Will be back. Tim Ralston April 2010

Romans-sur-Isere, Valence and Grenoble

The nearest big town is Romans-sur-Isere (historically famous for its shoe manufacturing) 25kms away with the major cities of Valence 36kms to the South West on the Rhone and Grenoble – the Gateway to the High Alps, 55kms to the North East. 

Weather

It is possible to cycle all year round but our season generally starts from April to November when the weather has warmed up a little, spring is in the air and the spectacular orchards are in bloom. Summers are lovely, sunny and very warm but cooler the higher up The Vercors you go. Autumns are warm and extremely beautiful with trees and vines changing colours and winter brings the snow and the opportunity to head to the slopes (our nearest ski slope is Font D’urle, some 30 minutes away by car). It does rain, but not much.

Average Temperatures in C (F)