Loop around the Dent de Crolles

Access from Grenoble via the A41, exit 24.1 Saint-Nazaire-les-Eymes, then follow signs for Saint-Pancrasse. In the town, follow the signs for Col du Coq on the left. Park before the pass and after the last hairpin bend.

(S/E) From the car park, take the Col des Ayes path.

(1) At the pass, turn right for a steeper climb up hairpin bends to a crossroads.

(2) At the fork, continue climbing to the right to reach a south-southeast traverse.

(3) This traverse leads under the Pas de l'Œille. Its needle is then clearly visible. Climb up to the needle. You will need to use your hands in places; there is even a chain in place.

(4) Above the needle, locate the faint trail to the right, heading due south, and follow it.

(5) When the trail turns left, you are at the start of the Sangle de la Face Est. Very quickly, you will reach a section with cables for a few metres due to a small landslide. Use your grip to get through, follow the strap to its end after a climb.

(6) Turn left to the summit, which is very close by. There is a path nearby to reach it, or you can stay at the edge of the cliff to enjoy the view.

(7) From the summit, admire all the peaks of Chartreuse, Vercors with Mont Aiguille in the distance, Belledonne, Mont Blanc... Begin the descent northwards, retracing your steps along a well-marked path that runs alongside and crosses sharp limestone pavement. Continue straight ahead until you reach a star-shaped crossroads.

(8) At the crossroads, turn left towards Trou du Glaz and Col des Ayes. When the slope becomes steeper, a path marked with a yellow cross branches off to the right towards the cliff.

(9) This is the start of the Sangle de l'Arche à l'Aiguille. Continue under the overhangs, note the obvious path to the arch and continue along the sangle to admire the reliefs until it begins to bend to the east. Turn back and climb up to the arch.

(10) Admire the arch and walk along the cliff to reach the path on the other side, then turn right. Leave the path to walk along the ridge and reach a beautiful promontory with unobstructed views, an excellent spot for a picnic and to see the start of the Sangle de Barrère.

(11) Descend from this promontory to cross the path you took on the way up. Climb opposite off-trail to see other sharp limestone pavements spotted from the promontory. Visit the sharp limestone pavements. Do not climb too high as the start of the cliff does not allow passage. A trail that is not easy to find leads west and leads without difficulty to the Sangle de Barrère.

(12) Climb up the slope of the sangle with its magnificent cliffs and reach the Aiguille du Pas de l'Œille.

(4) Descend to the car park (S/E) via the same route you took on the way up.

From (11), it is possible to descend directly to Sangle de Barrère via (9).

Be very careful on the straps, especially the one on the east face.

Don't miss the magnificent landscape at the summit of the Dent de Crolles.

There are lots of options, such as going to the Cheminée du Paradis and back; or going around the cliff of the Arche à l'Aiguille, or descending via the Trou du Glaz, avoiding the Sangle de Barrère if you are too tired....