An easy Nordic out-and-back route and a challenging six-hour traverse offer very different hiking experiences. The themed trail about tree species starts above the village of La Rivière; the château, church and millstone quarry add distinct historical themes. This makes it easy to plan according to route type and interests.

Routes with Different Profiles

The Les Ecouges route is an easy, 8 km Nordic out-and-back. Its themes include fauna, history and heritage, viewpoints, and the history of the Resistance. It leads to the former Rivet Farm; from the viewpoint there, you can look out over the Isère Valley. In winter, check trail conditions before setting out.

The “Immersion nature ENS Vercors Isèrois – Variante 2” route offers a different format: a challenging 23.1 km traverse taking six hours. The two routes therefore differ both in length and difficulty rating, as well as in format: an out-and-back on the same route or a traverse. Difficulty ratings and measurements may be revised; check these details before making specific plans.

There is also a marked 17 km trail in the ENS des Écouges. Its features include viewpoints over the Isère plain, streams and waterfalls. Local conditions can vary by season. The three route profiles offer different highlights: the easy Nordic route with its cultural and scenic themes, the long traverse, and the trail through a water-rich landscape.

Tree Species, Forest and Water

The sentier des essences forestières draws attention to the great diversity of tree species in the Vercors forests. The starting point is the Pied frais car park above the village of La Rivière. By focusing on tree species, it highlights a specific aspect of the Vercors forests; this themed trail thus offers a different focus from the longer routes described by their route type.

The Domaine des Écouges covers 918 hectares and is a sensitive natural area. Its landscape combines diverse forests, pastures, rocks, cliffs and meadows, as well as several water sources. Looking at these landscape features adds a broader picture of nature to the clearly defined focus on tree species. Viewpoints, streams and waterfalls, in turn, give the marked trail in the ENS des Écouges its own distinctive scenic character.

Historical Traces in La Rivière

The Carrière de meules is a former millstone quarry discovered in 2001. The discovery dates to 2001, while the end of quarrying is uncertain: it may have continued until the 14th century. This distinction between the discovery date and the possible duration of quarrying forms part of the quarry’s historical context.

The Château de La Rivière was restored in the late 19th century on the foundations of a fortified house documented since the 17th century. Its earlier ownership can also be traced: it first belonged to the Pourret de Brunière family, passed briefly to the Herculais family, and was taken over by the Ferrier de Montal family from 1845. The building’s history and sequence of ownership offer two distinct perspectives on the château.

The Saint-Joseph Church in La Rivière has exceptional stained-glass windows. Alongside the history of the château and the millstone quarry, church architecture and glasswork are also distinct heritage themes.

A Place to Eat in the Village

Au Petit Creux in La Rivière is a bar, restaurant and grocery store all in one. It caters to locals as well as visitors passing through. If you’re planning a visit or a meal, check the opening hours in advance.

Discover more destinations: Sablons, Septème, Vaulnaveys-le-Haut, Auris, Noyarey, Pont-En-Royans, Charavines, Villard-De-Lans

For the wider travel overview: Isere.