Hiking Collection by Luc Gesell
Écrins, Belledonne and Vercors – HexaTrek, Hautes-Alpes
35 days
4-9 h/day
570km
28,350m
30,230m
This Collection takes you through the heart of the Hautes-Alpes along the spellbinding third section of the HexaTrek. The route starts with a loop through the Écrins National Park, then climbs up to the Belledonne range and then descends through the Vercors High Plateaux nature reserve. This circuit of 565 kilometres (351 mi) and 28,300 metres (92,848 ft) of elevation gain finally makes a small incursion into the Provençal Baronnies before ending at the gates of the Ardèche Gorges. While the official route stops at Saint-Martin-d'Ardèche, I recommend crossing the bridge for a majestic arrival in the perched village of Aiguèze, hailed as the most beautiful village in France.
In this Collection, I divide this section of the HexaTrek into 35 stages, each averaging 20 kilometres (12 mi). This itinerary allows you to find accommodation almost every day. However, I suggest that you bring a tent and a sleeping bag to allow more flexibility. They’ll be necessary if you follow this Collection to the letter.
This long-distance trail is not marked. It sometimes follows the GR, sometimes the GRP or the black paths (secondary walking paths). Don't be surprised if you go off the GR and the beaten track at times. More often than not, this will be for the benefit of a spectacular climb or a viewpoint unknown to the ‘GRists’.
A departure in June or at the beginning of September will work in your favour during this great adventure. Indeed, these two months are less popular with summer holidaymakers. Also, you can be sure to arrive in the south at times when the temperatures are more moderate.
The official start of your HexaTrek is at the legendary Col du Lautaret. You can reach it by bus from Briançon or Grenoble by the LER 35 bus line. The timetable can be found on the Dauphiné website: dauphine.transdev.com/line/ler-35 (in French).
On arrival, you can walk to Saint-Martin-d'Ardèche and take a bus to Les Crozes or Pont-Saint-Esprit to catch a mainline bus or TER to major cities served by TGV.
If Hexatrek has piqued your curiosity, you can find the first two stages in my other Collections.
The Great East: komoot.com/collection/1809774
The Northern Alps: komoot.com/collection/1730773
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Activities
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
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Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
11.2km
05:35
570m
1,260m
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
17.5km
09:47
2,090m
1,240m
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
15.5km
07:29
700m
1,810m
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
14.7km
06:48
1,340m
670m
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
15.7km
06:44
1,260m
670m
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
15.7km
07:55
1,050m
1,250m
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
Hard hike. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
Hard hike. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
16.2km
05:25
180m
1,650m
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
Hard hike. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
21.6km
07:40
1,130m
650m
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
Collection Stats
Activities
35
Distance
570 km
Duration
218:12 h
Elevation
28,350 m
30,230 m
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