Around Saint-Sulpice-des-Rivoires

Park in the hamlet of Les Fayeux in front of the pumping station, at the junction of the Chemin des Courrière and the Route de la Valdaine.

(S/E) Walk down a little and turn left straight away. Walk past a house, continue for about fifty metres and reach the edge of the woodland. Turn left, following the edge of the woodland before entering the forest. On emerging from the woodland, continue between the fields until you reach the houses.

(1) Turn left, go round a bend at the last house, then take the dirt track on the right to avoid the road. Join the road again further on and head right to reach the Ourcière crossroads.

(2) Turn left onto the Voie des Vergnes and pass the houses at l’Ourcière. Then walk alongside the fields, before turning right at the three-way junction (altitude 626) to reach the highest point of the Grand Crêt.

(3) Head down to the left to rejoin the road. Follow it to the left, then take the track suitable for vehicles opposite. You will then reach a T-junction with a road (^D82J)

(4) Turn 90° to the left, then 90° to the right a good hundred metres further on, onto Chemin de la Croix de Rajans. You’ll reach a large farm; walk round it and, at the 90° left-hand bend, take the grassy path opposite. Continue until you rejoin the road.

(5) Cross the road carefully and take the dirt track opposite; turn left at the next junction to rejoin the road. Follow it to the right for 50 metres, then take the track on the left, Chemin des Rajans. Pass the hamlet of Pétuisset and you’ll soon reach a hairpin bend.

(6) Carry on to the left along the wide, uphill track until you reach a crossroads with a cross. Turn left to walk past some houses (Falconnière) and continue to a large farm building situated at a multi-way junction.

(7) Turn right, then immediately left to go round this building. Take the path to complete the climb near the summit of Mont Cuchet.

(8) Turn left and follow the path round the cluster of trees to reach the hamlet of Le Ruat. Turn right onto the road opposite the first houses.

(9) Head left between the farm buildings towards the path which descends quite steeply and leads onto a tarmac road at its end (Chemin du Ruat). Follow it to the left for 50 m, then leave the road and take a grassy path to the right which serves as a shortcut to Saint-Sulpice-des-Rivoires. Cross another road (Chemin de la Bretonnière), join a third (Chemin du Cholat) and turn right onto this until you reach the T-junction.

(10) Turn left onto the road, Chemin des Collines, then cross the junction and continue straight ahead onto the Route de la Valdaine to return to the Fayeux car park (S/E).

Best avoided in very hot weather as there is little shade. Recommended in spring or autumn.

(1) A beautiful view of the Chartreuse and Mont Blanc, which will stay with you forever. In fine weather, there is an extraordinary view of the Chartreuse, Belledonne, the Taillefer and, in the distance, Mont Blanc.