Tour des 10 plus hauts sommets de Chartreuse - J3

A wonderful circular hike with no major difficulties, except for the length and elevation gain! After the point (3), the trail becomes more technical (especially in rainy or snowy weather).

A walk along a wooded slope leading to old meadows; discover Carthusian architecture.

Leave the village and walk around the valley, discovering the main peaks as you go: Charmant Som, Chamechaude, Dent de Crolles, Scia and Grand Som. You will also pass through several Carthusian hamlets.

As you follow the streams, change valleys and visit the church of Saint-Hugues de Chartreuse, decorated by the painter Arcabas.

The ‘haberts’ form an integral part of the Chartreuse landscape. They have witnessed the major events that have shaped history. This walk allows you to appreciate the importance these buildings—particularly those at Valombré and Malamille—held during the Second World War.

Le Charmant Som is very busy due to the access road to its sheepfold coming from the Col de Porte. Its other sides, however, offer a wilder approach, particularly when coming from Valombré and Malamille. This route offers a relatively long but varied circular route, featuring ridge walks and crossings over slabs and sharp limestone pavements, whose wild character contrasts with the crowds at the summit arriving via the mountain pastures.

A shaded circular route with beautiful scenery and very well signposted. The climb is a bit steep at the start. No technical sections apart from a short stretch near the Rocher du Mollard (above the cliff) where you’ll need to reassure those prone to vertigo and hold onto children. There’s a safety cable to hold onto, though it’s not strictly necessary. Best done in dry weather. See practical information regarding certain restrictions.

A lovely circular route on a wild slope of the Charmant Som. Following the Combe d’If – an area untouched by human activity – then passing La Rochette, you emerge onto the mountain pasture, where you rejoin a north-south ridge offering a magnificent panorama of Belledonne, Mont Blanc… and everything else! After three hours of solitude, you emerge amongst many walkers who have arrived from the south via the mountain chalet, but the descent down the eastern face, with its limestone slab, quickly restores the charm of this beautiful hike in the Chartreuse!