Bec Charvet via the Pas de la Branche

The route starts from the reservoir car park on Chemin de la Tour d’Arces in St-Ismier. To reach the car park: take Chemin de Chartreuse, Chemin du Moucherotte, Chemin du Mas, Chemin de Ribotière and Chemin de la Tour d’Arces. Please note that parking and traffic are prohibited on Chemin de la Tour d’Arces from the reservoir onwards; the barrier is often closed.

(S/E) From the car park, walk back down a little and take the path on the right which runs alongside the reservoir across open countryside to Chemin de la Tour d’Arces.

(1) Follow it to the right, up a steep slope, and climb up to the tower.

(2) Continue along the wide track. After a hairpin bend to the right, you’ll reach the Carrefour de la Pierre Grosse.

(3) Turn left onto a track heading west; the large stone is not far away. The track turns into a path near point 703. Cross the Torrent de Corbonne and continue along the path. Here you join the Pas de la Branche route, and the slope becomes steeper. You’ll come to a bench with a viewpoint.

(4) Continue the climb, crossing the Torrent de Corbonne once more. After a series of hairpin bends and an uphill traverse to the right, followed by more hairpin bends, the path becomes less visible and difficult to follow due to fallen trees. You’ll reach a small cliff.

(5) A few branches on the ground seem to indicate that you should not go any further, and indeed a track leads up to the left, partly obscured by wood debris. The climb up a earthy slope is slippery until you reach the first gully.

(6) There are two steep earthen gullies to cross – slipping is not an option – then, at around 1100–1150 m, the path disappears or is not visible; at the start of the season, it has been eroded by the weather. The earthen slope is very steep; an ice axe would be very useful for cutting steps. You actually need to reach the base of the upper cliff at around 1,180 metres. From there, head left along a clearly visible track; the Pas de la Branche is very close by, preceded by a section equipped with a rope and cable.

(7) There you are – you’ve reached the base of the Pas de la Branche. A small cave or hollow marks the start; the end of a fixed rope lies on the ground – it will be very useful for boosting your confidence. Beyond the rope, a series of new and older cables follow one after the other to aid your progress. Be careful: exercise a degree of caution when relying on this equipment. After these cable sections, you’ll come to a clearly visible path that winds its way up a steep earthen slope. You’ll arrive at the Pas de la Branche.

(8) Pass through the gate and head for the cliff. The final stretch through the forest leads to one last easy section, and you’ll finally reach the ridge. Follow the ridge for over 3 km, which takes you to the southern point of the Col de la Faïta. Always stay on the ridge or close to it; the correct path is always the one on the right. Join the^GR®®9.

(9) Follow it to the right to reach a pass.

(10) Spot the return route and continue straight ahead on the^GR®® until it leaves the ridge.

(11) Leave the^GR®® and stay on the ridge. The ascent of the Bec Charvet begins here. No major difficulties, but the ground is very muddy and slippery. Follow the path to the summit. Views of Chamechaude and the Dent de Crolles, the Charman-Som and the Grand Som.

(12) Return to the pass via the same route.

(10) Turn left onto the path you spotted earlier, heading towards Les Massons. You’ll come to a Fork in the road.

(13) Turn right, still heading towards Les Massons, until you reach the next junction.

(14) Turn left onto the path that takes you back to the car park, continuing straight ahead (S/E).

Take great care when descending to the bottom of the Pas de la Branche on the very steep, earthy slopes of the approach route from the first fallen trees. This hike can be done without specialist equipment, but having an ice axe can be useful for carving footholds into the earth rather than using the toe of your boot, and for catching yourself should you slip. In the Pas, even if you are well equipped, some of the pegs holding the cables in place have been torn out, so do not rely entirely on their strength but rather on your own balance. After the Pas, the slope remains very steep, so take care.
Grade ED chosen for the length, the elevation gain and the exposed sections.
Duration: 3 hours for the Pas, 1 hour for the Col de la Faîta, 1 hour to the summit, 2½ hours for the descent.

The view over Chamechaude and the other peaks of the Chartreuse is stunning.