This beautiful hike leads through the woods to a viewpoint frequented by chamois, at the edge of the dizzying cliffs of the Grands Goulets.
This hike leads to one of the most spectacular viewpoints in the Vercors: the Révoulat viewpoint. Overlooking the Vernaison gorges, this natural promontory offers a breathtaking view of the limestone cliffs of the Grands Goulets and the deep gorges carved by the river over millennia. From the top of this vertiginous vantage point, where there is a picnic table, we can truly appreciate the power of erosion that has shaped these iconic landscapes of the massif.
The view also offers a glimpse of the old Grands Goulets road, long considered one of the most impressive in the Alps. Inaugurated in the mid-19th century, this road, carved directly into the cliff face, was one of the main gateways to the Vercors. Its tunnels and suspended walkways high above the void captivated generations of travelers before its closure in 2008, when it was replaced by a safer tunnel. Even today, it remains a powerful symbol of the history of communication between the Royans region and the Vercors plateau.
Throughout the hike, the forest alternates with openings onto the cliffs and surrounding hills. These rocky escarpments provide a prime habitat for mountain wildlife. With a little discretion and luck, it's sometimes possible to glimpse the agile silhouette of a chamois moving across the steep slopes or rocky ledges overlooking the gorges. This discreet presence is a reminder of the wild and unspoiled character of this part of the Vercors.
Two options allow you to discover this remarkable site: a route starting from the village of La Chapelle-en-Vercors, for a hike of about 4h30, or a shorter version starting from the Croix du Châtelard, which can be done as a round trip in 2h30.
