Country:
District:
By car: from the motorway, take the Brignoud exit. In the town centre, at the junction with the D523, take the D528 opposite, towards Laval-en-Belledonne. Pass through this village and the hamlets of Mollard and Fuzier. In Prabert, turn right towards La Betta, taking the Pré de L'Arc road. At the Pont de la Betta car park, continue for 500 m to park at Le Muret, 13 km from Brignoud.
(S/E) Reach the hairpin bend. At the "Le Muret" sign (altitude 1,343 m), climb (east) towards Aiguebelle, along a damp, stony path marked in yellow. You will reach a crossroads (altitude 1,410 m) opposite a concrete cistern.
(1) Leave the track to your right and left, pass in front of the cistern and immediately turn right onto the dirt track leading to the Habert d'Aiguebelle refuge. At an altitude of 1,430 m, take the shortcut across the fields to rejoin the track after 150 m. Alternate between shortcuts and the track to reach a fork (altitude 1,720 m).
(2) At the "Aiguebelle" sign, ignore the track on the left towards Habert d'Aiguebelle and take the GR®738 trail slightly to the right, towards Pas de la Coche and the pass to the right of the high-voltage power lines. Cross a small stream and, after a winding climb, reach the pass. Follow a small stream and climb up to the Pas de la Coche crossroads (altitude 2,000 m) overlooking Lac de la Coche.
(3) At the "Pas de la Coche" sign, ignore the path to the left leading to the Col de la Vache and the one descending to the charming little Lac de La Coche just below. On the right (south-west), take the GR®738 towards Brèche de Roche Fendue. Climb the red and white marked trail that zigzags along a rocky ridge above the lake. Pass a peaty plateau and, on the right, reach a small pass flanked by a large pointed rock (altitude 2,120 m).
(4) Descend the undulating grassy slope of Clot du Ban (south-west), enjoying the beautiful view of the Olle Valley.
(5) Cross a scree slope of large boulders from Pointe du Karstic Cave. Head south and reach a low point (altitude 2015 m). Climb westwards towards the shoulder of the south ridge of Pointe du Sifflet (altitude 2,100 m), from where you can admire the Grand Pic Belledonne, the highest peak in the massif, and Pic Lamartine to its right.
(6) Descend the side of the Ruisseau Bruyant valley, cross the scree at the bottom to reach the Brèche de Roche Fendue valley (altitude 2,055 m).
(7) Climb up the right side of the scree at the bottom of the valley until you reach an intersection (altitude 2,120 m).
(8) At the "Sous la Scia" sign, leave the path on the left towards Le Rivier d'Allemont. Continue on the GR®738 opposite (west). At an altitude of around 2300 m, head west-southwest towards the Col de la Brèche de Roche Fendue, located on the left, between the Pointe Centrale Sud du Ferrouillet and its Pointe Sud. The pass on the right is between the northern central peak of Ferrouillet and its southern central peak. Climb the steep slope, interrupted by a few steps, and reach the pass (altitude 2,480 m).
(9) At the "Brèche de la Roche Fendue" sign, descend the right side of the opposite slope. At the bottom (altitude 2330 m), go around the start of a valley and climb the hill opposite (altitude 2370 m), from where you can admire Lac de Crop below.
(10) Climb gently (south-west) over large boulders and reach the intersection 50 m below the Col de la Mine de Fer (altitude 2,401 m).
(11) At the "Col de la Mine de Fer" sign, leave the GR®738 on your left towards the pass. Continue right on the yellow marked trail dotted with cairns towards Lac de Crop. Descend northeast, passing between a steep slope on your left and a rock face on your right until you reach a precipice.
(12) Turn left (north-west) and descend the rocky steps via two hairpin bends.
(13) Cross a scree slope, then a pile of large rocks (west). Do not try to descend directly to the lake, but stay level. After a narrower passage between a cliff and large rocks, gradually turn right (north).
(14) On the path, which remains level, cross a large scree slope and head towards a gap. Once you have crossed it, the path becomes more visible and continues its descent via steep and slippery hairpin bends (caution) towards Lac de Crop (altitude 1,910 m), which it follows along the eastern shore. At the end of the lake, you will find vegetation again and climb up its edge.
(15) At the "Lac de Crop" sign, head towards the "Pont de la Betta" bridge. Descend a few switchbacks into the lake's gorge and reach an intersection (altitude 1,830 m).
(16) Leave the path on the right towards Habert du Ferrouillet. Continue along the path on the left (west-northwest) for about 800 m. Leave the forest and reach an intersection (elevation 1706).
(17) At the "Sous Orionde" sign, ignore the path on the left towards "Sous le Rafour". Continue along the path opposite towards "Pont de la Betta". After 400 m (altitude 1650 m), turn sharply right into the woods onto a path that winds downhill, with turns marked by large cairns. Follow the Crop stream and cross it via a small bridge.
(18) Follow a slightly sloping, shaded path to a fork (altitude 1,390 m).
(19) Leave the track opposite. Keep to the damp, stony sunken path on the left. At the bottom, join a level path (altitude 1,310 m).
(20) At the "Pont de la Betta" sign, turn right towards the "Parking du Pont de la Betta" car park. Cross this bridge, noting the pretty little waterfall of the Ruisseau du Muret on your right. Shortly afterwards, you will come to an intersection (altitude 1304 m).
(21) At the second "Pont de la Betta" sign, leave the path opposite and turn right onto the path towards Le Muret. Climb through the woods to the south-east, then north-east, until you reach a fork. Take the right-hand branch and you will come to the Le Muret car park (S/E).
Visorando member
Moderate 
Easy 
