Vercors, gentle family adventures

An immersion in the vastness of the Vercors' High-Plateaus which will delights parents as kids! At the program: hikes with donkeys, hikes on the earth, underground, in water and in the air…
The program:

D1/ Accrobranche in Die

Meet at 2pm at Die station. Playful aerial treetop adventure in the Parc du Martouret, then transfer to the hamlet of Archiane, a timeless village set in an exceptional natural cirque. In recent years, griffon vultures have taken up residence here thanks to ideal aerological and nesting conditions. This reintroduction has been a great success, with 4 different species now inhabiting the cliffs of the cirque, including the bone-crushing lammergeier. We have plenty of opportunities to observe the vultures soaring in the cliffs above the village. We also enjoy the waterfalls, pools and slides of the Aubaise, a cool river that rises in the upper valley and joins the Archiane a little downstream from its resurgence.

Overnight at the "Le refuge d'Archiane" B&B in shared rooms.

D2/ Escapade at Tour de Borne

Departing from the remote village of Borne, we discover a local geological curiosity: "Les Sucettes", slender stone spires that shape an astonishing landscape. Our escapade continues to discover La Tour de Borne, an associative alpine gîte ideally situated in a grandiose mountain setting, facing the Jocou peaks (2050m). After a picnic lunch, we visit the medieval village of Châtillon-en-Diois, classified as one of France's most beautiful villages, and return to the Archiane cirque to explore the resurgences with flashlights and enjoy the coolness of the mossy rocks.

2 to 3 h walk
Overnight at the "Le refuge d'Archiane" B&B in shared rooms.

D3/ Treasure hunt and water trail

This morning's "treasure hunt" takes us through meadows, lavender fields, pine forests and ruins close to the village to discover - in the footsteps of Ulysses - the life of yesteryear. The afternoon is devoted to a fun-filled aquatic activity with the discovery of the Comane canyon (beginner's level - bring old sneakers to walk in the water): slides, small jumps, swimming, walking in a wild river and a fun zip-line! For the little ones, or those who don't want to take part in the aquatic activity, a walk will be proposed. Return to Archiane.

2 h 30 exploring the canyon
Overnight in shared rooms at "Le refuge d'Archiane" gîte d'étape.

D4/ Hauts-Plateaux Nature Reserve with donkeys

After a short transfer in the Combeau valley, we set off for two days of autonomy with donkeys, excellent companions for the children and carriers of our luggage. We head for the Bergerie de Chaumailloux, an important resistance site and incomparable viewpoint over Mont-Aiguille and the surrounding Dévoluy, Belledonne and Oisans massifs. It's also a haven for ibex and chamois.

4 h hike
Overnight in an unguarded mountain refuge

D5/ Return to Combeau

A superb donkey-paced itinerary through the wildest parts of the High Plateaux Nature Reserve: the longue fissolle plain, the Jardin du Roy sheepfolds and the Pas de la Coche. Meet the marmots at the foot of the Montagnette, then return to the bucolic Combeau valley, where our donkeys find their summer quarters. Time for a final cuddle with our long-eared companions.

4 h 30 of hiking
Transfer to Die train station and departure at 5 p.m.

Your tour leader may have to modify the order or content of the days described, for weather or logistical reasons.
During the week, a 9-seater minibus driven by the group leader will take you from one activity to another. If the group is larger, we may ask a volunteer participant to use his/her car for short trips during the stay (compensation is provided).

The little extras :
- a variety of fun activities: accrobranche, aquatic trekking, swimming, cave exploration, treasure hunts, stalking...
- an itinerary with donkeys on the Vercors high plateaux
- a night in a mountain refuge