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Walks and Flowers on the
Vercors Plateau Trip dates: Saturday 31 May -
Sunday 8 June 2008 Trip
price : £ 1,490 per person sharing in
a double/twin room Activity level : 7 days
walking, 4 – 8 hours daily at an appropriate pace Download a PDF (524
kB) with trip details Phone/Fax : +44-(0)1722-716
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For the walker and naturalist, the limestone Vercors plateau
just south of Grenoble is a small piece of ‘paradise found’. A mosaic of
sub-alpine meadows, dramatic karst peaks and montane forest, comprising one
of western Europe’s foremost wilderness areas, is traversed by an excellent
network of paths. In early summer the flora is spectacular (with 64 species
of orchids alone); birds of prey (including Golden & Short-toed eagles
and Griffon vultures) are readily observed; a profusion of butterflies (80
species) are on the wing; and there is a good chance of seeing chamois,
marmots, mouflon and even ibex foraging on the higher slopes. Comfortably based in a
traditional village auberge and a faded chateau, we discover
the history of the local Resistance movement, sample distinctive regional
specialities including game, charcuterie and mountain cheeses, and spend
glorious days walking, botanising and observing birds and mammals in an
outstanding mountain setting. |
