Circular at Bois des Rochassières

A lovely walk starting from the Prairie de la Rencontre, near Lac Mort and Lac de Laffrey, perfect for families as it’s very peaceful and offers a real treat for the eyes.

Details

35056023
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 3.33 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 289 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 289 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 3,278 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 2,972 ft

Photos

Description of the walk

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).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 2,989 ft - Prairie de la Rencontre
  2. 1 : mi 0.16 - alt. 2,986 ft - Common junction for outbound and return routes
  3. 2 : mi 0.39 - alt. 2,995 ft - Route de Grenoble to Laffrey
  4. 3 : mi 0.67 - alt. 3,005 ft - Le Pey
  5. 4 : mi 1.66 - alt. 3,278 ft - Paragliding launch site
  6. 5 : mi 2.12 - alt. 3,212 ft - Heading towards Lac Mort
  7. 6 : mi 2.26 - alt. 3,074 ft - Crossing the road
  8. S/E : mi 3.33 - alt. 2,989 ft - Prairie de la Rencontre

Notes

  • 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!

Worth a visit

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.

Reviews and comments

4.3 / 5
Based on 5 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.4 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.4 / 5
Route interest
4.2 / 5
User 28746761

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of your route : May 11, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

The start point from the car park at the Prairie de la Rencontre is not signposted and no longer matches the description.
In fact, the passage with the gate is completely blocked by a chain on the gate; as a result, we set off by following the road to Grenoble, passing the church and town hall, to reach the start at Le Pey. A stony path through the forest leading to Lac Mort. Beautiful scenery, although the lake is low.
The return journey followed the shore of Lac de Laffrey and then the road back to the car park.

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gizzpel
gizzpel

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 15, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

To avoid the road between 1 and 2, we took the Chemin des Baumes, and quickly turned left after the entrance to a housing estate. There is a dotted path on the IGN map that goes directly to Pey.
There are many box trees on this route, and unfortunately a huge outbreak of box tree moths has damaged them badly.
Between 4 and 5, we turned off at Effores.
A very welcome shaded route on 15 August!

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vincentraoult
vincentraoult
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 29, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant walk, even in winter.

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Sacav
Sacav

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 02, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

It was perfect! We passed through several different types of scenery: villages, lakes, forests and panoramic views.
Magnificent! The path is easy to follow, with no particular difficulties. Most of the time we’re nicely in the shade!
It’s also suitable for dogs…

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MrCharlous
MrCharlous

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 15, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely summer hike with plenty of shade and a cool breeze.
Very quiet, very peaceful and in harmony with nature.
There’s a superb view halfway along of the Grenoble and Vizille valleys.
Two lakes are visible, one of which you can swim in, and there are places to eat nearby.
I would definitely recommend this short, easy but rewarding walk!

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