Description

Between wild gorges, waterfalls and discreet heritage, this hike reveals one of the most secret faces of the Omblèze valley.

This hike offers an immersion in the spectacular landscapes of the Omblèze Valley, where water and rock have sculpted a rugged terrain. The route alternates between sections through the forest, viewpoints overlooking the gorges, and the discovery of remarkable natural sites such as the Baume Noire, a mysterious cave linked to the Vercors karst network.

The Omblèze gorges are one of the major geological features of the southern Vercors. Carved over millennia by the Gervanne River, they form a steep-sided canyon where water is ever-present. Long perceived as a natural obstacle, these gorges isolated the inhabitants of the valley, who were more drawn to the alpine pastures of Ambel than to the damp, steep bottoms of the ravines.

The route also crosses the territory of Chaffal, whose name could come from the Old French word chafalt, ancestor of the word "scaffold". It would refer to a wooden platform used during livestock markets, recalling the importance of livestock farming in these mountains.

The area also preserves the memory of the events of the summer of 1944. The hamlet of La Vacherie was largely burned down and several buildings in Le Chaffal were destroyed during the fighting that affected the Vercors.

At the Pescher farm, an alternative route allows you to take the Canyon des Gueulards trail instead of continuing towards the Sept Lacets. This wilder route crosses a narrow gorge carved by the Comberoufle stream and offers a further immersion in the landscapes sculpted by water.

Delicate passage

Variant of the Gueulards Canyon: this route involves crossing several metal bars to progress through the gorge. The passage presents no major difficulty in dry weather but requires attention, especially with children or in wet conditions.

Updated on 11/09/2026 - Report a change: info@vercorsdrome.com

Step-by-step itinerary

1

Starting from La Vacherie (parking near the cemetery), cross the D70 departmental road, then the hamlet of La Vacherie following the yellow-green markers. Turn left, pass in front of the church and reach Tête Noire.

2

Find here the route of the GR9 and the Grande Traversée du Vercors, to reach the Les Moreaux crossroads.

3

The route continues south to the La Cote 999 meters intersection (locality Le Chaffal).

4

From there, leave the GR on the right and follow the direction of the Gorges d'Omblèze (again yellow-green markings), the path descends through the undergrowth to reach the Grand Cros crossroads.

5

Then take the path to the left that leads to the Ferme du Pescher. (At the farm, an alternative route is possible via the Canyon des Gueulards trail , a pleasant route, especially in summer for its coolness, leading to Les Moreaux ). The hike continues past Les Sept Lacets before gradually climbing (towards La Vacherie ) along a fairly long track that leads to Les Moreaux.

6

Continue along the GR9 to the Tête Noire crossroads , then stay on the GR to the right, towards Les Coquins . About a hundred meters before this crossroads, a signpost directs you to the left to reach the parking lot, the starting point of the hike.

What comes next?