For planning a hike in Glandage, there are two different options to consider: L’Aupillon starts and ends in the commune; stage 7 of the GR®93 is a point-to-point route from Grimone to Lus-la-Croix-Haute that passes through the communes of Glandage and Lus-la-Croix-Haute. Nature and church history are also among the themes that shape a stay here.
Natural Area of the Gorges des Gâts
A ZNIEFF entry dated 2024 covers the Gorges des Gâts and Forêt du Sapet area. It includes Glandage and spans 1,607.4 hectares.
A fast-flowing stream runs through the Gorges des Gâts, its banks lined with stands of white alder. The cliffs provide a refuge for peregrine falcons, eagle owls, and golden eagles. The watercourse, riverside vegetation, and rock faces together form several distinct natural features within the Gorges des Gâts.
Hiking: Circular Route or Point-to-Point?
Stage 7 of the GR®93 is a moderately difficult 7.9-kilometre point-to-point route, taking 2 hours and 30 minutes. It has 321 metres of ascent and 396 metres of descent. L’Aupillon, by contrast, is a circular hike: the 7.69-kilometre route starts and ends in Glandage, takes 2 hours and 45 minutes, and has 480 metres of ascent.
The routes are similar in length, but their formats differ. L’Aupillon loops back to its starting point, while the GR®93 is a stage between Grimone and Lus-la-Croix-Haute. The circular route takes 15 minutes longer than the GR stage; the elevation figures can also be compared directly, since both ascent and descent are specified for the stage.
The landscape description for Aupillon varies by slope: the northern ascent passes through a beech and fir forest, while the southern slopes are influenced by a sub-Mediterranean or Mediterranean-mountain climate. The route is marked with the green-and-yellow trail markers of the Vercors Regional Natural Park.
Public Transport and Return Journey
Stage 7 of the GR®93 is accessible by public transport. Return travel options include the Lus-la-Croix-Haute SNCF railway station, regional express bus route 31 between Grenoble and Marseille, and an on-demand transport service. Check the timetables before your trip and factor the return journey into your day’s plans.
Church History in Glandage and Grimone
The Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul in Glandage initially belonged to a priory dependent on Guignaise Abbey. From 1242, the priory was dependent on Aurillac Abbey. The building’s history is thus also shaped by the succession of these ecclesiastical affiliations.
In Grimone, the Chapel of Saint John the Baptist stands at an elevation of 1,130 metres on the southern edge of the Vercors Massif. It was first mentioned in 1702 and briefly served as a parish church in 1731. These two dates record distinct historical details: the chapel’s first mention and its brief period as a parish church.
Discover more destinations: Réauville, Génissieux, Valaurie, Le Grand-Serre, Saou, Saint-Ferréol-Trente-Pas, Mirabel-et-Blacons, Charpey
For the regional travel overview: Drôme.
