Circular route from the Cabane de Bellefont via Saint-Pierre-de-Chartreuse

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A shaded circular route with beautiful scenery and very well signposted. The climb is a bit steep at the start. No technical sections apart from a short stretch near the Rocher du Mollard (above the cliff) where you’ll need to reassure those prone to vertigo and hold onto children. There’s a safety cable to hold onto, though it’s not strictly necessary.
Best done in dry weather.
See practical information regarding certain restrictions.

Details

n°2358380
Creation:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 13.48 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 6h 25 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 907 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 907 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,639 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 881 m
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Photos

View of the Lances de Malissard
Bellefond Hut
Another view from the hut
Panoramic view from the hut

Description of the walk

Park at the exit of Saint-Pierre-de-Chartreuse towards Raidlight / Oréade or a little further along the road (Route de Perquelin).

(S/E) Take the path at the Croix Saint-Claude hiking sign, located at the village exit by the crossed-out Saint-Pierre sign. This is theGRP® Traversée de Chartreuse trail, marked in yellow and red. It climbs quite steeply. You’ll soon reach a sign for the “Chemin des Amoureux”.
Continue to the right on theGRP®. The path zigzags up a steep slope and reaches the hamlet of Becete.

(1) Continue to the right, staying on theGRP®. Walk carefully along the cliff face of the Rochers du Mollard. You will need to hold on to children and reassure anyone who is prone to vertigo.
You will reach the “Le Mollard” sign at a three-way junction.

(2) Turn right onto the almost flat, or even slightly descending, path to continue on theGRP® Chartreuse. The path continues to run alongside the cliff but at a greater distance. You will reach a forest track. Turn left after a few steps.

(3) Leave this forest road by turning right onto a path. At the second hairpin bend, you’ll emerge from the forest into a clearing where the path heads right, remaining almost flat. After a few trees, the path opens out into a meadow and leads to Bellecôte.

(4) Continue straight ahead. From here, the path is undulating (mostly downhill) through a beautiful forest to the small pass of the Collet de la Saulce.

(5) Keep straight on theGRP® to reach the Cabane de Bellefont.

(6) Follow the same route back to the previous junction.

(5) Turn left onto the yellow-marked path. You will soon reach a section where the path has been washed away. You must go round this landslide from the upstream side. You will rejoin the yellow markings before reaching the Ruisseau de Bellefont.

(7) Follow the stream, paying attention to changes in direction where you need to leave the road and rejoin the path, which often winds beneath the forest track. Cross several small streams to reach the forest track that runs alongside the Ruisseau du Guiers Mort or de Saulce (depending on the route).

(8) Take this track to reach the hamlet of Perquelin.

(9) Continue along the tarmac road until you reach a junction. Turn right to return to the starting car park in Saint-Pierre-de-Chartreuse (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 883 m - Car park at Saint-Pierre-de-Chartreuse
  2. 1 : km 1.15 - alt. 1,234 m - Becete
  3. 2 : km 1.69 - alt. 1,361 m - Le Mollard
  4. 3 : km 2.37 - alt. 1,439 m - GRP junction
  5. 4 : km 3.52 - alt. 1,556 m - Bellecôte
  6. 5 : km 5.33 - alt. 1,479 m - Col de la Saulce
  7. 6 : km 6.44 - alt. 1,627 m - Bellefont hut
  8. 7 : km 9.58 - alt. 1,167 m - Bellefont stream
  9. 8 : km 10.25 - alt. 1,071 m - Guiers (rivière)
  10. 9 : km 11.04 - alt. 985 m - Perquelin
  11. S/E : km 13.48 - alt. 883 m - Car park at Saint-Pierre-de-Chartreuse

Notes

Please note:
- from point (5), dogs (even on a lead) are strictly prohibited on the route, due to the presence of local sheepdogs and the fact that this is a Nature Reserve.
- Access to the hut (6) is not possible, as it is reserved for shepherds.
A shaded walk except upon arrival at Cabane de Bellefont.
No special equipment required.
Between (1) and (2). The only difficulty is for those who suffer from vertigo, as the path runs alongside the Rocher du Mollard cliff. There are cables to hold on to. Take care with children.
(6) There is a water source (drinkable as it is spring-fed) at the Cabane de Bellefont. A pipe from the spring catchment area allows you to fill your water bottles and cool off.
(9) You can hitchhike to reach the Saint-Pierre-de-Chartreuse car park more quickly (E).
You should probably avoid this walk after rainy days. The initial climb up Becete and the subsequent descent towards Perquelin would then be muddy and slippery.

This route passes through a protected area, which may be subject to special regulations:

Worth a visit

(4) At Bellecôte, you can climb up to La Scia (30 mins) for the view and, if open, eat and/or stay overnight at the La Scia mountain lodge.
(6) At the Cabane de Bellefont, you can climb to the pass of the same name (50 mins) to enjoy the view, particularly of the Plateau des Hauts de Chartreuse, which lies just behind.

Reviews and comments

4.4 / 5
Based on 5 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.4 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4 / 5
lemarcheur65
lemarcheur65 ★

Hello Lucas69
Thank you for your comment.
Hike annotated.
=> However, at the bottom of the hike description:

This hike passes through a sensitive area to which specific regulations may apply:
Hauts de Chartreuse National Nature Reserve – more info

https://www.parc-chartreuse.net/reserve-...

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Lucas69
Lucas69

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 31, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Great route, clear trail and well-signposted paths. The route is well-shaded and very pretty. Please note, however, and this is an important detail not mentioned in the description: from point 6 onwards, dogs are strictly prohibited on the route (even on a lead), due to the presence of mountain dogs and the fact that it is a protected nature reserve. Furthermore, access to the hut is not possible, as it is reserved for shepherds (however, it is possible to access the water point by asking them).

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Sofsim
Sofsim

The route description and map are spot on. You’ll have no trouble following the route. That said, it’s best to avoid this walk during a heatwave or when it’s very hot, because you’ll be right at midday at the Cabane de Belfont, and there’s little shade for a picnic; the return journey is often in the sun and ends with over 2km on tarmac in full sun around 3pm...
It’s also best avoided in wet weather (either on the day itself or in the days leading up to it) as the return route is sometimes very steep and can get slippery... So it can be dangerous... especially with children running about
Otherwise, it’s rather like a walk in the woods, but with the added elevation gain.

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Saint Bruno
Saint Bruno

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 07, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Bellefond is actually spelled Bellefont with a ‘t’, as it is not a ‘fond’ (a ‘bottom’ or ‘base’) but a ‘font’ (a ‘spring’, as in ‘fountain’)

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Astrid3842
Astrid3842

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 29, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely circular path, mostly through the woods, so perfect on a hot day.

Most of the uphill climb is in the first part of the walk, after which it’s more gentle.

You can dip your feet in the Saulce stream on the way back, or in the Guiers Mort, which you walk alongside on the tarmac section linking Perquelin to St-Pierre.

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apdc
apdc

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 16, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average

I was a bit disappointed as the route is entirely through woodland, except for the finish at the hut, where the view isn’t anything special. It would be better to start a little higher up and head for the pass, where the view would be more unobstructed. Watch out for the tomcats, who refused to let a hiker pass. The return walk to Perquelin – a 3 km stretch along tarmac from the original car park – is a bit of a long haul...

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alexlyyy
alexlyyy

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 16, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Hello,

A pleasant walk. Best avoided in very wet weather. The end of the route follows a forest track that has been rutted by machinery. This path becomes muddy. No problem if you’re properly equipped.
Thanks to the contributors.

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