Chamaloc: Vercors Cliffs, Hiking and Lavender Tradition

Chamaloc is an agricultural village at an altitude of 800 metres near Die. It lies on the D518, which has provided access to the Vercors since the opening of the Col-de-Rousset tunnel. Cliffs several hundred metres high shape the village.

Cliff Scenery and Panoramas

But de l'Aiglette is a rocky promontory on the southern cliffs of the Vercors. At 1,524 metres, it offers a 360-degree panorama: the view stretches from the Diois to the south to the Vercors Plateau to the north. These two directions convey the breadth of the panorama and give an impression of the landscape between the Diois and the high plateau.

Hiking and Via Ferrata

Les Fayards de Chironne is an easy out-and-back hike, 2.91 kilometres long with 131 metres of elevation gain. The route starts and ends in Chamaloc and takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes. It is marked with white-and-red GR trail markings as well as the PNR Vercors's green-and-yellow markings. Check trail conditions before setting out; trail-marking information may also be updated.

A route with a different difficulty rating is the Via ferrata de Chironne: it is 500 metres long, has 160 metres of elevation gain, faces east and takes about two hours. Its difficulty is rated difficult to very difficult. Compared with Les Fayards de Chironne, the two routes therefore differ considerably in their ratings and stated route characteristics. A marked trail leads back from the via ferrata to the starting point; the return takes about 20 minutes.

Wildlife Watching Locally

Below the village is a designated viewing point where bearded vultures can be watched near a feeding station. To protect the white-clawed crayfish, a specific visitor rule applies at the Comane: do not enter the watercourse upstream of the access point.

Lavender and Local Production

The family-run Distillerie des 4 Vallées is a farm in Chamaloc, at the foot of the Vercors. Since 1930, it has continued the tradition of growing and distilling lavender. From April to October, guided tours covering cultivation, harvesting and distillation methods are available. Workshops on traditional lavender distillation are also offered; availability may be seasonal or require a reservation.

La Tournelle Farm is also an example of local agricultural production. It raises 80 Alpine Chamoisée goats organically and feeds them hay produced on the farm. Their milk is used to make Picodon and other cheeses. The farm offers guided tours and on-site sales; booking is required.

Local History

The Temple de Chamaloc was built around 1870 and restored as a municipal building. In 1685, Chamaloc had its own pastor, a temple, a cemetery and 87 Protestant families; previously, the village had been a branch of the church in Die. These dates provide two historical insights into the village's history, though they do not describe the same period.

More Destinations

Discover more destinations: La Roche-De-Glun, Alixan, Valouse, Pierrelongue, Rochefort-En-Valdaine, Montclar-Sur-Gervanne, Pennes-Le-Sec, Saint-Martin-D'août.

Go to the regional travel overview: Drôme.