Around Guiers Mort (1): the spring

A short hike around the Guiers Mort, a pretty little stream. The walk is mainly through the woods and along the valley floor to discover its source. This walk can be followed by a second one, still around the same stream: the Gorges du Guiers Mort, where you can even take a dip.
These two short hikes can be done one after the other (3½ hours + 30 minutes by car) or separately.

Details

134676
Creation:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 4.25 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 15 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 363 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 362 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,345 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 982 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Parking in Perquelin, a few kilometres from Saint-Pierre-de-Chartreuse. At the end of the tarmac road, continue for a few dozen metres to reach the car park.

(S/E) Take the forest road (east) to a fork. Turn right and immediately take the small path on the right: there is a signpost and a red dot marker.

(1) From this point, follow the yellow markings to the right. The fairly steep path leads to a forest track.

(2). Turn right off the forest track.

(3) A little further on, take the path that branches off to the left (directional sign).

(4) At the next fork, take either the right or left path. Both paths lead to the source of the Guiers.
The path on the left, which is not shown on the map, leads to the foot of the source , but access to the cave entrance requires a guide.
The path on the right , which is marked on the map, provides access to the banks of the Guiers just below the source. It also provides access to the cave just after crossing the Guiers. This route is less dangerous than the other path, although the final climb is tricky.

(5) From the source of the Gueirs, you can return via the same route you took on the way there.

(2) However, once you reach the main path, you can continue along this forest track by turning right (as shown on the map) instead of taking the uphill path. The path takes you gently back to the starting point (S/E).

For those who want to continue through the gorges, here is the link on Visorando:
Around the Guiers Mort (2): the gorges

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 982 m - Parking at - Perquelin
  2. 1 : km 0.8 - alt. 1,071 m - Directional sign
  3. 2 : km 1.3 - alt. 1,215 m - Forest path
  4. 3 : km 1.38 - alt. 1,245 m - End of the forest path
  5. 4 : km 1.68 - alt. 1,315 m - Leave the forest path and take the trail on the left
  6. 5 : km 1.78 - alt. 1,344 m - Source of the &gt - Guiers (rivière)
  7. S/E : km 4.25 - alt. 983 m - Perquelin car park

Notes

- The final access to the cave deserves a "Difficult" rating. The "Easy" rating corresponds to access at the foot of the spring, so the overall rating is "Moderate".
- Do not venture into the cave: presence of pockets of carbon dioxide

This route passes through a protected area, which may be subject to special regulations:

Worth a visit

Grande Chartreuse Museum.

Reviews and comments

4.4 / 5
Based on 17 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.4 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.4 / 5
Route interest
4.4 / 5
User 27234407

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 16, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : No

Very good description but of limited interest.

From the car park to point number 1, you have to walk quite a long way with a steep incline to reach the forest.

Once in the forest, you can't see much through the trees, and the views are limited. You can barely see a little water flowing here and there, but that's about it.

The only really nice view is once you reach the cave. It's very steep after crossing the stream. I went there wearing only hiking boots and luckily I picked up some sticks along the way to help me.

The alternative route, which doesn't cross the stream, is easier going up but more dangerous in terms of the rope. I wanted to take this route on the way back but, given the risk of slipping and falling and without any equipment to attach myself to the rope, I decided to turn back and descend very slowly and carefully, with all the stones rolling and shifting underfoot.

Another problem is that the cave floor is completely wet, so there's nowhere to sit down for a picnic.

In short, it's a fun challenge, but I don't think this route was worth the drive, with a fairly dangerous and long journey, followed by a fairly strenuous hike, and ultimately not much to see in terms of scenery apart from the final stretch.

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WOLFFBLANC
WOLFFBLANC

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 22, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Be warned, the climb is tough, but it's worth it because the view is breathtaking...

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sylvie60
sylvie60

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 21, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

We were passing through the area and looking for a walk to enjoy ourselves. Thanks to Visorando, we found just what we were looking for. Thank you!

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ZOUBI38
ZOUBI38

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 31, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant little walk; in this hot weather, we stayed cool in the forest.

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Davon
Davon

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 28, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very good hike for families. Children quickly get caught up in the adventure, between the waterfalls, crossing the Guier on the stepping stones and the cave at the end! Thank you for this wonderful discovery.

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Coco38
Coco38

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 23, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A pleasant walk through the woods, great for hot days, not too difficult, and you can dip your feet in the waterfall!

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Michel S.
Michel S.

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 01, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

To find Perquelin, cross the centre of Saint Pierre de Chartreuse.

This hike includes three waterfalls, the first is 1.7 km away, the second is 2 km away and the third is 3 km away, so the actual distance is 6 km.

When you reach the second waterfall, return to the sign marked 79 and take the path on the left.
This path is closed in winter.

Climb through the woods with some rough sections (tree trunks to climb over)
no beautiful views

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serenite
serenite

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 05, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : Not used / Not applicable

very beautiful and not long, can be done at the end of the day in summer. Practically all in the shade.

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oryx38
oryx38

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 11, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Possibility of a pleasant route returning to Perquelin (signposted "Cascade du Guiers") in 1 hour 15 minutes, following the yellow markings in the woods (steep slope) where you join the GR de Pays Tour de Chartreuse, arriving at the Giglard bridge

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DROUET69
DROUET69

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 24, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Very pleasant hike in the forest. Splendid setting
After the Guiers waterfall, we had to search a bit to find the path up to the source of the Guiers. The sign pointing to the source had been removed!
When you reach the foot of the source, the path on the right takes you up to the cave where the Guiers emerges. The path is rarely used and a little difficult, but less dangerous than the one on the right. The cave is reached via a very narrow, tricky passage. Our grandchildren (aged 6 and 8) made it through and were very proud of themselves.
The cave is surprisingly cool: 14-15°C, while it was 35°C outside!

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JCParavy
JCParavy

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 13, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A short, classic hike suitable for young children, exploring the caving trails in the cave.
Most of the route is well wooded and, in hot weather, don't hesitate to cool off at Fontaine Noire, near the path just before point (2).
When you arrive at the foot of the last waterfall under the porch, the crossing of the Guiers Mort is equipped with non-slip blocks, which allow you to cross except during high water.
As indicated in the guidebook, access to the porch on the right bank has become difficult since a landslide washed away a small footbridge: it is equipped with a fixed rope. For those who find this daunting, the passage on the left bank is less exposed, but on a steep slope that can be slippery.
I am adding the photos.

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Bobdenard
Bobdenard

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 08, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Hello,

A very good hike, especially on a very hot day, with three-quarters of the route through woodland.
A great way to get back into shape.

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gb38240
gb38240

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 05, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very beautiful walk in splendid surroundings. Most of it is in the woods, which is particularly pleasant in hot weather.
Be sure to follow the yellow markings, especially the "Wrong direction" sign 20 minutes from the spring: be sure to turn left. Follow the numerous cairns that mark the route from the entrance to the woods.

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Paulinus69
Paulinus69

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 06, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Beautiful Balande in the undergrowth, quite physical.

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francois.bonnell@orange.fr
francois.bonnell@orange.fr

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 02, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

a pleasant walk with magnificent scenery. Living nearby, this is a walk to be repeated with family and friends

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