Porte d'Herbouilly

Porte d'Herbouilly, near Saint-Martin-en-Vercors, is one of three gateways into the wide Nordic area of Haut Vercors, sitting roughly 8 km from the villages of Saint-Martin-en-Vercors and Saint-Julien-en-Vercors, at an altitude ranging from 1,280 to 1,450 meters. The access road climbs over the Col d'Herbouilly itself, at 1,370 meters — a natural pass linking the eastern and western halves of the Vercors massif and marking the border between the Isère and Drôme départements.

How do you get to Porte d'Herbouilly?

The site is reached via the road over the Col d'Herbouilly, accessible from Saint-Martin-en-Vercors and Saint-Julien-en-Vercors on one side, and from Villard-de-Lans or Corrençon-en-Vercors on the other. A Nordic center building stands at the parking area and serves as the starting point for most trails, both in winter and summer.

What can you do here in winter?

Herbouilly is one of three entry points — alongside Haut Plateaux in Corrençon-en-Vercors and Bois Barbu in Villard-de-Lans — into a network of 153 km of groomed, marked cross-country trails that stitch the whole Haut Vercors plateau together into one continuous Nordic playground with a distinctly Scandinavian feel. Beyond classic and skate cross-country skiing, the area offers snowshoe loops from 3 to 30 km, a sledding track, and a 6 km groomed walking path (piste blanche) for visitors who'd rather stay off skis. Equipment rental is available right at the trailhead: classic and skate cross-country skis, touring skis, sledges, pulkas for children, and snowshoes.

What is there to see in summer?

Once the snow melts, the Plaine d'Herbouilly reveals a different side: a classic cold basin (cuvette froide), the kind of intraforest clearing typical of the karst plateaus of the Vercors, with vegetation sensitive enough to trampling that the area is now protected. The plain becomes a base for hikers and mountain bikers, as well as paragliders and climbers. It's also something of a landmark for introductory caving in the region — the Gours Fumant sinkhole nearby is a popular first descent for beginners. Families can take on two easy themed trails starting from the Nordic building, the Sentier d'Oscar and the Filambule, while more determined walkers can follow the Chemin de la Pia along the cliff edges up to the Pas de Saint-Martin, which opens onto a wide view over the Drôme side of the Vercors.

Who is Herbouilly for?

Porte d'Herbouilly blends the infrastructure of a cross-country ski resort with a wild, protected high-plateau landscape. It suits athletes chasing trail kilometers just as well as families, casual walkers, and anyone drawn to karst scenery — all without the crowds of a typical downhill ski resort.

Frequently asked questions

How high up is Herbouilly? The Nordic area spans 1,280 to 1,450 meters, with the Col d'Herbouilly pass itself sitting at 1,370 meters.

How many kilometers of cross-country trails are there? 153 km of groomed trails connect Herbouilly to the other two Haut Vercors gateways, Corrençon-en-Vercors and Villard-de-Lans.

Can you rent equipment on site? Yes — the trailhead has rental for cross-country skis, touring skis, sledges, pulkas, and snowshoes.

What is there to do outside the winter season? Summer brings hiking and mountain biking, including the Chemin de la Pia route to the Pas de Saint-Martin, family-friendly trails like the Sentier d'Oscar and the Filambule, and caving at the Gours Fumant sinkhole.