Bec de l'Orient from Gève

The Gève car park is easily reached from Autrans (signposted) and is relatively spacious.

(S/E) From the car park, take the road leading to the Refuge de Gève for about 200 m.

(1) On the left, cross a wooden bridge (out of season in summer) to reach the fork. The path is sometimes barely visible across the meadow, particularly early in the season. Head up the meadow towards the forest, to the left of a small cluster of trees, towards a ‘clearing’ in the forest. Once in the forest, the path becomes clear. As the path climbs very gently, you’ll reach a fork.

(2) The main path then descends to the left, shortly before climbing more steeply a few hundred metres further on. Numerous yellow signposts mark the path.

(3) At this junction, turn left. If you go straight on, a detour of about 200 m will take you to the aircraft memorial.

At the top of a short climb, you reach the Cheminée viewpoint at an elevation of 1,519 metres, with a magnificent view of the Cheminée rock formation to the left.

(4) Head off to the right, due north, towards the Bec de l'Orient, taking the path that roughly follows the ridge. A wide platform offers a full view of the Rochers de la Clé and the Combe Noire to the right, and of the Voironnais and northern Isère.

(5) Turn right towards the north-east, following the red and white GR®9 trail towards Pas Brochier.

(6) Shortly after this point, a signpost directs you back towards Gève. Turn right towards the south-east. At the start of the season, the meadows are sometimes not very well marked (between the edge of the forest and the Route Forestière du Cyclone) and you may lose sight of the exact path for a while. But this section is short and it is easy to find your bearings.

(7) You’ll soon come back to this forest road. Head down it to the right, pass the Refuge de Gève and arrive at the bridge you crossed on the way out.

(1) Continue straight on to return to the Gève car park.

Visorando’s estimated time of 3 hours is quite ambitious. For a walk like this, possibly with children, allow 4 hours to enjoy the beautiful beech forests and take breaks at the viewpoints.

You can have a meal or a snack at the Refuge de Gève.

On the climb up to the Cheminée viewpoint (3), there is a crossroads named “l’Avion”, in reference to the crash of a British aircraft in February 1944, which was on a mission to resupply the Vercors resistance. A commemorative stele has been erected in the forest (marked “Stèle” on the IGN map).