Around the Cirque de Saint-Même

Yes, that may be true, but only for the weekend.
I don't walk through your garden; public nature is vast, so let's respect each other's property!

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It may be too early to hike safely on this route. As for the Marquis area, what else can you do but force your way through, since the mountain belongs to everyone?

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Date of your route : Apr 15, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Part of the route after the death pass and on the marquis's property, I cut across to avoid entering the property.
This section of the route should be removed.
Before reaching the Alps pass, there is a section that can be dangerous with the snow melting, as you cannot see the crevasses.
Otherwise, the route is really nice and the views are magnificent.

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Date of your route : Apr 29, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Be careful at the end of the route if you want to return to the river, head towards the car park and the hotel.

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Date of your route : Jul 26, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

The start of this hike is very busy, but once you leave the "tourist" trail to the waterfalls, there aren't many people around! The waterfalls were really beautiful, especially after the rainy start to the summer...
It's worth making the little detours (to see the waterfall and the source of the Guiers).
As for the Pas de la Mort, we didn't realise how difficult this passage was when we read the various comments. It's the most difficult pass we've done in Chartreuse. There are cables or chains in some places, but not everywhere... and frankly, there are some unsecured passages that could be secured, as the path is very narrow in places, potentially slippery and, above all, vertiginous. Fortunately, we're not afraid of heights... We took it slowly (in dry weather, of course), but we still found it dangerous... We're glad we did it, but we're not sure we'll go back!
At Alpettaz, being at the edge of the clouds, we preferred not to take any risks in the fog (especially as we had no visibility!) and descended via the path passing under the Roche Blanche, between points 3 and 9 of the hike, without any difficulty.

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Date of your route : Jun 12, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The route was completed in good weather (29°C) and remained well shaded during the climb, which was pleasant.
The landscapes are very diverse and the few ledges and metal staircases add excitement to the day!
As indicated, do not do this hike in wet weather.
The route down from the Col de l'Alpe is not well travelled, so pay close attention to your bearings.
Thank you to the author for sharing.

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The circular is only feasible in dry weather; the "step of death" is too exposed without equipment in winter.

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Date of your route : Aug 05, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike in ideal weather conditions, with beautiful and varied landscapes along the entire route.
The Pas de la Mort pass is very well equipped (ropes, ladders) but requires great caution (no missteps allowed).
Finding the GR trail was not a problem (there are a few cairns).
Between Pas de l'Echelle and Chalet de l'Alpe, there is a beautiful sharp limestone pavement to admire (be careful with the GR markings, which are not very visible).
Near the Croix de l'Alpe, I recommend turning left at the start of the Fourneau cliff (accessible in about 5 minutes via a small path) for a clearer view of the Isère valley and the Belledonne mountain range.

The route is a little busy around the waterfalls but much less so afterwards.

Thanks to the author of this hike.

NB: I recommend ignoring the route indicated by IGN, which appears to be incorrect between the first waterfall and the Pas de la Mort:
- Visually: the trail does not (or no longer) start from the bridge leading to the first waterfall, but rather 100 metres downstream.
- The GPS tracks measured did not correspond to the IGN route; I am well aware that my tracks are not necessarily accurate in a place surrounded by cliffs (so in the end, I am just expressing a doubt).

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Date of your route : Jul 14, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Superb, very varied circular. Exceptional landscapes and breathtaking views. Do not attempt in wet weather as the aerial passages become too dangerous. Very little flat walking.

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Thank you for your reply.
However, as I am unfamiliar with the area beyond the standard short circular that everyone takes, I would like to know the best points of interest in the area so that I can make the most of my next hike.

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Of course, you can do things differently, shortening or lengthening the suggested route as you wish.
You can also create a different route and suggest it on Visorando.
It's up to you, depending on how much time you have and the type of hike you're looking for.

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Hello,
I'm looking to shorten the route a bit because seven hours of walking seems a bit long for a first hike in the Pas de la Mort area (given that the risk of getting lost seems quite high).
After point 4, is the landscape really worth it?
... I was thinking of going from point 3 to point 5 then point 9... or even going from point 2 to point 9 without going through the others (is the circular between point 2 and Alpette really worth it? Can't we shorten it?).
... and from point 9, go directly to the finish via Les Eclapes.
What do you think? Which points are essential to visit? I really like vertical landscapes, torrents and caves (with a head torch and helmet, without climbing equipment).
Also, I see that the hike doesn't go through the Ru cave: isn't that a shame? Is it worth visiting? I've been told there's a nice cave to visit that doesn't require equipment. Which one is it?
It's also a shame not to cross the bridge over the large waterfall and the isolated waterfall.
Any suggestions for improving the route, or is it already optimal for seeing the most beautiful views in the area with a fun route (climbing)?

Thanks in advance.

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Thank you for your insightful comment. You've seen how difficult it is to draw a precise line. The same goes for a correct description. You have to search a little, even make mistakes. That's part of the game, and that's what makes it interesting.
Yours sincerely, Yves

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Date of your route : Jun 30, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

The Death Step is ultimately not as difficult as it may seem. We did it in very good, dry weather. The conclusion might not be the same in bad weather or after rain, when the rock is slippery.
In dry weather, there are no major difficulties as it is very well equipped with well-designed and well-placed iron aids. On the contrary, I believe that children (over 10 years old, as they are tall enough to reach the iron aids) will enjoy it more than adults, who are sometimes overweight or lack flexibility.
The map is not useful in this assisted section; you just need to follow the trail left by previous visitors. However, the route becomes more uncertain at the end of the "iron" section (the metal ladders), with no markings, a few cairns, but also cairns indicating very different, if not opposite, routes! Here again, the 1:25,000 map is not very useful because you don't know exactly where you are as you progress. However, using the Iphigénie app, which shows the walker's position on the map, allows you to continue in the right direction even without a clear path, and arrive at the edge of the forest just at the cairn indicating the start of the trail for those hiking downhill from the Pas de la Mort (for the latter, the cairn is probably difficult to locate due to tall vegetation and very few traces of passage coming from the Alpettaz chalet. From the latter, you have to go straight down the south-west slope to have a chance of finding it! It is also marked as a straight line on the IGN 1/25000 map (we met a lone walker further along the route - CAF Grenoble - who had looked for it a few years ago with a CAF group and had to give up when she couldn't find it!
So, when you leave the forest, head north-east until you find paths that lead more or less directly (more less than more!) to the Chalet d'Alpettaz (picnic spot with scarce shade and abundant nettles!).
From there, we didn't go to the Croix de l'Alpe, but to the ridge of the Grand Manti, about 220 m above sea level facing the steep slope - magnificent view of the Alpine chain and the paragliders flying above our heads. Return to the car park via St Même le Haut without difficulty. A beautiful, interesting hike off the beaten track after the crowds at the waterfalls.

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Date of your route : Jun 16, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

You need a map to complete the route. In any case, when you're in the mountains, it's unthinkable not to have one with you, especially for a walk like this. The passage through the cliffs is impressive, so be careful if you're easily frightened.
Thank you for this truly wonderful route!

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