Loop along the ridges via Charande

Ridge walk from Pas de Bellecombe to La Molière via the highest point of Charande. Numerous viewpoints over the Alps and the Chartreuse.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 11.20 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 515 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 513 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,701 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,242 m

Description of the walk

Parking: Hameau des Aigaux in Lans-en-Vercors.

(S/E) Take the forest path signposted the Alpage Lodge de la Molière.
At the crossroads, continue left and go through a cattle grid.

(1) Turn right at the sign for the lodge and follow the path to La Graille (watering hole for animals), water not checked.

(2) At the crossroads, continue straight ahead northwards, then turn left onto a small path leading towards Pas de Bellecombe. Climb up to Pas de Bellecombe.

(3) Follow the ridge to the right that leads to Pas de l'Ours.

(4) Continue along the ridge to the right in a north-easterly direction, ignoring a path on the left, and reach the summit of Charande.

(5) Continue along the ridge and pass through Pas du Tracollet.

(6) Continue to the Molière car park.

(7) Take the path on the right that leads into the meadow (watering hole for animals - water not checked).

(8) You will come out onto the farm track at the shepherd's house.
Continue along this wide path on the right, passing an alpine ruin on the left side of the path. Water source for animals - unregulated water - below the ruin. Continue to the Lodge de la Molière.

(9) Pass the Gîte de la Molière mountain lodge.
Continue along the path to return to the La Graille watering hole.

(2) Take the path on the left that descends into the woods towards Le Chasau - Les Merciers.
Be careful, there is a small fence below La Graille. Go through this fence and do not take the path that goes straight ahead.

(10) Continue downhill at the next crossroads, leaving Les Merciers on your left and taking the path opposite towards Le Chasau. When you reach the tarmac road at Le Chasau, turn right onto this road to return to the car park where you started (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,242 m - Aigaux car park
  2. 1 : km 1.64 - alt. 1,441 m - Turn right at the lodge sign
  3. 2 : km 2.2 - alt. 1,537 m - La Graille - Water source
  4. 3 : km 2.87 - alt. 1,622 m - Pas de Bellecombe
  5. 4 : km 3.9 - alt. 1,643 m - Pas de l'Ours
  6. 5 : km 4.83 - alt. 1,699 m - Charande 1709m
  7. 6 : km 5.52 - alt. 1,640 m - Pas du Tracollet
  8. 7 : km 6.17 - alt. 1,634 m - La Molière
  9. 8 : km 6.61 - alt. 1,615 m - Sheepfold
  10. 9 : km 8.37 - alt. 1,556 m - Gîte de la Molière (1565m)
  11. 10 : km 10.27 - alt. 1,426 m - Merciers-Chasau trail junction
  12. S/E : km 11.2 - alt. 1,244 m - Aigaux car park

Notes

Uncontrolled water sources: La Graille; La Molière.
Is it possible to get water at the lodge?
La Molière mountain lodge, pies and drinks.
Equipment: Backpack, water bottle, good walking shoes.

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

Worth a visit

Numerous views of the Alps from the ridge.
Orientation table at La Molière.

Reviews and comments

4.9 / 5
Based on 17 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.9 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.9 / 5
Route interest
4.9 / 5
skyppyy38360
skyppyy38360

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 11, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

On 11 November, all the hikers were there! Well, we chatted and said hello to everyone, but this hike is so well known, even famous, that it's impossible not to bump into other hikers when the weather is nice. It's a must!
The habert was closed; the season is over for them.
But they're nice, they left the tables and benches.
Thank you to the Visorandonneur, who deserves a star on the boulevard of the best hikes!

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grosse dondon
grosse dondon

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 30, 2025
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

a very beautiful hike, partly sheltered from the sun, with stunning views and lovely scenery. We extended the loop before the return trail, which descends towards the refuge for a few kilometres, with a gentler descent but a longer route along the ridge
i would like to thank the person who posted about the hike for sharing

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Misterbird
Misterbird

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 08, 2025
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

After a week of rain, on Pentecost Sunday, we weren't the only ones enjoying the sunshine.
An easy hike with beautiful views of the ridges. The clouds prevented us from seeing Mont Blanc. Well-marked trail.
Families, with grandparents and grandchildren, groups of young adults and mountain bikers, some of whom were reckless and dangerous, as it was unclear whether they could control their bikes when coming around a bend with a group of hikers present.
On the way back, we made a mandatory stop at the Molière refuge/lodge to enjoy a tart made with real wild blueberries.
An excellent day.
Misterbird

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AUDUC
AUDUC

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 03, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We completed this route on Monday and benefited from the snow that had fallen the week before!
We used snowshoes for the climb to Pas de Bellecombe and the trail along the ridge.
We stopped for a snack at point 8 to enjoy the view above the sea of clouds.
We returned by the same route we took on the way up so we wouldn't have to walk on the road.

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XFandre
XFandre

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 17, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Completed in 3 hours and 15 minutes, including breaks. The snow was hard, but I kept my crampons in my bag because it was easy going everywhere, even without them. The recommended descent is perfect for a loop, but the alternating snow/ice and rocks make it impossible to use crampons and it is relatively steep, although not difficult. Basically, you have to be careful not to slip. It was very crowded, but it was beautiful and very sunny.

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LABOU
LABOU

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 23, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful outing near Grenoble. Wide trails, no particular technical difficulties. Beautiful unobstructed views.

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ciulla
ciulla

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 29, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Very pretty loop. Very beautiful view once you reach the ridges

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JJV38
JJV38
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : May 27, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The title of the hike is not very relevant, and a hiker looking for this trail is unlikely to find it. At the very least, the term "Molière" is missing.
The route is beautiful and varied. The scenery is superb and you will be accompanied by marmots.
Please note that this route is very busy in summer, with parking problems at Les Aigaux

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COMETE38
COMETE38

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 15, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful hike with stunning views. The descent from La Graille is quite steep and rocky. In rainy weather, it is preferable to descend via the ascent trail.

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Aurelie38
Aurelie38

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 26, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very easy walk to do with children. The views are beautiful, whether from the ridges or in the pastures surrounded by cows.

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Zesty41
Zesty41

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 25, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike; fairly overcast skies prevented us from seeing the high peaks of Chartreuse or Belledonne (orientation table at La Molière), but there was still a beautiful view of Moucherotte. The route along the ridge is really very pleasant. Be careful on the descent on the way back, just after the drinking troughs (towards Les Merciers), which can be slippery in wet weather (not recommended with young children)

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juliebzh
juliebzh

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 09, 2023
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

I did this hike in early July, and there are sections with alternating shade and sun, but also long stretches with no shade at all. I would not recommend doing this hike in very hot weather. However, I was able to cool off (cap and T-shirt) thanks to the water points identified as drinking troughs in the description. I would also avoid it in wet weather, as some sections, particularly the descent, could be slippery.
The "medium" difficulty rating is therefore accurate. I just had a bit of a hiccup on one climb where I found myself on the wrong side of an electric fence, so I had to climb over it.
The hike is magnificent, with great views. I really enjoyed it!
The hike took 4 hours and 10 minutes, including breaks.

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Ange Heureux
Ange Heureux

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 18, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Although I know the area well (I am Lantier), to be sure of the duration for my friends, I selected this route because, on paper, it seemed good/realistic in terms of distance and duration. We took it easy, stopping to watch the marmots, have a picnic and take photos, and we completed it in 4 hours and 43 minutes (according to the Visorando app! ;-)).
The decision to climb (gradually) to the ridge path, then return via the plateau and the more direct descent was a good choice in my opinion.
In short, I'm glad we chose it! I recommend it and would do it again!

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loululu
loululu

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 18, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

The weather forecast predicted good weather, but we got fog! However, the loop is very pleasant and, although we'll have to come back for the views, we saw snow, which was also very nice! The children really enjoyed it. It took us four hours, but given the fog, we headed straight for the ridge ;-) The descent is steep! We'll be back, hoping for better weather.

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francine88
francine88

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 25, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Hike done in good weather. The views are spectacular. The descent seemed difficult to us despite everything, so don't take this route back in rainy weather. We recommend stopping at the mountain lodge, their tart was very good. We saw marmots. There were a lot of people at La Molière because the car park is nearby, so you may want to find another place to have your snack if you prefer to eat in peace and quiet.

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