Circular at Bois des Rochassières

The route starts at the Prairie de la Rencontre in Laffrey, where there is free parking.

(S/E) From the car park, more precisely opposite the bar/restaurant Chez François, turn right towards Lac de Laffrey. Once you reach the lakeside, follow the lake to the left. Pass by a dyke, then quickly go through a small gate, followed by another dyke. When you reach the lock house, go round the back of the building and join the Route du Lac.

(1) Follow it to the left to reach the town of Laffrey, continuing on to Route de Grenoble. Pass a tree-top adventure park, then an inflatable play area. This isn’t the most pleasant part of the route. Join the N85.

(2) Turn right onto Route de Grenoble. Pass a few small shops, the church, then the town hall. After about a hundred metres, pass a second-hand shop and turn right immediately afterwards. You’ll arrive at the Laffrey Village signpost.

(3) Follow the sign for Le Lac Mort. Gradually leave the noise of the road behind. At the fountain, continue straight on along Route du Pey, keeping to the right until the end. Pass by a beautiful farm. At the sign for Le Pey, leave the path on your right and follow the sign for Laffrey Plage. The road gradually turns into a forest path. At the next junction, stay on the path on the right. Walk past small meadows on either the right or the left. At the next junction, take the path on the right towards the paragliding launch site.

(4) Leave the forest and enjoy a magnificent view of the Vercors, part of Belledonne and the Grand Serre ridge.
Be careful not to let the view distract you from the path: do not continue straight ahead, but turn right onto the path leading back into the forest. Continue along it until the next junction.

(5) At the landmark: La croix du Mollard, take the second left towards Lac Mort. You’ll reach the road leading to Lac de Laffrey.

(6) Cross it and take the path that runs along the edge of Lac Mort (you can also take the standard hiking trail, but you’ll pass by the lake without seeing it).
Pass under a high-voltage power line. The path leads to the village of Les Allards. You’ll come to a road; cross it and take the Chemin du Plaina opposite. Follow the path to the end, until you reach the junction.

Turn right onto the path towards the signpost: Les Pivodières, then head towards: Laffrey Plage. You’ll rejoin the road next to Lac de Laffrey. At the Laffrey Plage signpost, continue a short way along the road. Pass the municipal car park on your right and a hotel on your left. Continue along the road and join the D115A, which runs alongside Lac de Laffrey.

(1) At the lock house, take the small path that runs alongside the lake in the opposite direction to the outward journey to return to the Prairie de la Rencontre (S/E).

• There are toilets at Prairie de la Rencontre; it’s the building on the right just before the lake access.

• A quick word of warning about the mosquito-infested area between (4) – once you’re back in the forest – and (6). Ideally, avoid stopping if they’re there!

After this lovely walk, you can go for a swim in Lac de Laffrey or hire a paddleboard or canoe at the water sports centre at the end of the beach. When the weather is fine, it can get quite busy. Feel free to walk along the lake towards the water sports centre to find a quieter spot.