Circular via La Sure, La Buffe and return via Le Trou de la Guêpe

de fr

A pleasant, safe walk, 80 per cent in the shade, taking in numerous vantage points, particularly at La Sure (views over the Grenoble-Voiron valley) and at the summit of La Buffe (360° views), as well as at various points along the way.

Updated 27/05/2022:
- Added a circular loop around La Sure.
- Added the location of the ‘wasp’s hole’.

Details

n°25277565
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 3.75 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 10 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,624 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,631 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 5,335 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 4,554 ft
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Photos

View of Chartreuse, Grenoble and Belledonne from La Sure
Autrans Valley, Méaudre
Old road leading to the Mortier Tunnel under La Buffe.
Northern Vercors plain from La Buffe

Description of the walk

Park in the car park at the entrance to the Mortier Tunnel (closed since 1992), above the Sure d’Autrans ski resort.

(S/E) Walk up the curved road leading to La Molière until you reach the sign for “Sur le tunnel”.
From here, begin the stony, zigzagging ascent towards La Sure. Reach the junction marked by the sign ‘Sous le pas’.

(1) Leave the path leading directly up to La Sure and turn right onto the forest track, following it to the end; this allows you to complete a circular route with a more gradual ascent. This track is almost level at the start, becoming more zigzagging towards the end.

(2) At the sign for “Sous la Sure”, ignore the path on the left which leads quickly to the summit of La Sure (you’ll return via this route) and continue straight on along theGR®®9until you reach the top of the resort and the ski lift.

(3) Take the path that veers to the left and follow it until you reach the sign for “Les Crêtes”. Turn left and walk along the ledge, enjoying the panoramic view of the Grenoble-Voiron valley, dominated by the Chartreuse massif, all the way along.

(4) Pass the “La Sure” sign and continue until you rejoin theGR®®9

(2) Turn right and, after 50 m, turn right again at the sign for “La Buffe”.
Follow this stony path which runs along the cliff edge. Pass the Pas du Mortier. You will then reach a crossroads of footpaths.

(5) Here you have two options:
- either turn left to reach the original fork very quickly, and then follow the route you took on the way there in the opposite direction to return to the tunnel car park;
- or carry on straight ahead – this is the route shown on the map – to reach the summit of La Buffe, still along the cliff ledge.

(6) Continue downhill along theGR®® to reach the Grande Brèche pass.

(7) Leave theGR®® here and take the path on the left; continue the descent; if you wish, veer off the path halfway down on the right to see the entrance to the “Trou de la Guêpe”; and finally rejoin the road that curves in a semicircle from the outward journey, directly at the Mortier tunnel car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 4,567 ft - Mortier Tunnel car park
  2. 1 : mi 0.46 - alt. 4,898 ft - Below the pass
  3. 2 : mi 1.31 - alt. 5,180 ft - Below the Sure
  4. 3 : mi 1.56 - alt. 5,269 ft - The top of the resort
  5. 4 : mi 1.85 - alt. 5,289 ft - La Sure
  6. 5 : mi 2.57 - alt. 5,056 ft - Junction – options
  7. 6 : mi 2.88 - alt. 5,197 ft - Summit of La Buffe
  8. 7 : mi 3.22 - alt. 5,039 ft - La Grande Brèche
  9. S/E : mi 3.75 - alt. 4,567 ft - Mortier Tunnel car park

Notes

The numerous viewpoints along the path are easy to spot, as there are small paths a few metres long leading to the edge. Take great care, especially with children, as the steep drops (overhangs) at the ends of these paths are unprotected.
Remember to take water with you.
Much of the walk is in the shade, apart from the two peaks where a hat may well come in handy, particularly in summer.
It’s best to do this walk in good weather to avoid walking on slippery stones, and especially to make the most of the panoramic views.
During the winter season (December–April), the road to the Mortier Tunnel is closed (the ski resort is open).
Picnic tables are available at the top of the resort at (3).

This route passes through multiple protected areas, which may be subject to special regulations:

Worth a visit

Entry into the tunnel is strictly prohibited; doing so may result in a fine at best and an accident at worst.

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

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Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 15 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
marmotte57
marmotte57

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 09, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk, with a 360-degree view. Please be aware, however, that whilst the route description states the tunnel is open to visitors, we followed this advice and took a torch with us, only to be stopped by the police right in the middle of the tunnel and issued with a fine. It would be advisable to update your description to state that access to the tunnel is prohibited by order; there is a sign at the entrance.

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MIMINE 38
MIMINE 38

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : May 25, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hello,
The walk was exactly as described!
And, based on previous comments and after a bit of searching, we found the ‘Wasp’s Hole’, amidst the crook-shaped ferns that were unfurling their leaves...

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Claude R3.
Claude R3.

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 08, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Good route, but easier in summer than in winter with snowshoes...

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jakes38
jakes38

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 12, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike done in the opposite direction to the description, allowing you to tackle the rocky sections and sharp limestone pavement on the way up rather than on the way down.
A beautiful hike with superb views of the surrounding mountains and the Grenoble valley.
Can be done in half a day, with an elevation gain of around 400 m.

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User 13521114

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 19, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

We loved it. The scenery was magnificent.

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Frederique38
Frederique38

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 17, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant walk, surprisingly quiet on this beautiful Saturday afternoon.
We followed the advice to do the route in reverse and found it more enjoyable that way.

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papangue
papangue

This hike seems very interesting, as it is located in an area where the trails are very varied and accessible for those who are not prepared for major difficulties. We have put it aside for our next trips to this area of the Vercors, which is full of
with beautiful walks

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mrugala
mrugala

No, the rocks weren't wet at the time, but I wouldn't recommend doing this hike in wet weather.
The section with large rocks is from point 4 to after point 5, almost to point 6. Without the red and white markings, I would have turned back, thinking I had taken a wrong turn.

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Ange Heureux
Ange Heureux

Good evening,

i'm sorry you encountered problems (on all fours!?!). Indeed, the beginning of the second part is on a path with large stones, but I'm surprised that these stones are wet at the moment! It's rather (too) dry around here at the moment, isn't it?
Thank you for your feedback.

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mrugala
mrugala

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

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

Up to point 4, the hike is easy. Admittedly, the start is steep, but it's still easy.
After point 4, the going gets tough. It's out of the question to do this in wet weather, as the rocks are smooth and slippery, and some sections are tricky (I was on all fours). You have to follow the red and white markings, which are reassuring at times, as the path is really not visible.
Otherwise, it's a very pleasant walk in good weather.

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J38
J38
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 28, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Didn't find the Trou de la Guêpe, but it was a very pleasant walk. Allow time for a picnic and a nap at the top of La Buffe, it's worth taking your time there!

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Ange Heureux
Ange Heureux

We also had trouble finding it! So we did our best to provide as much information as possible to help locate it during my descent and on the map. But the difficulty helps you appreciate the place!

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randosoise
randosoise

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 29, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely, peaceful walk, well shaded and stony in places; it fits the description perfectly, but despite following the directions very closely, we had great difficulty finding the "wasp hole"!

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never4nr
never4nr

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 27, 2023
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A superb hike, combining the two "official" routes described on the information board at the tunnel car park. The views are magnificent, with superb vistas of the Chartreuse mountains and the snow-capped Belledonne range above Grenoble.

Like FBe69, I did it in reverse, but unlike him, I did the whole thing. I find it less tiring to climb the steep, shady slope (DA-7) and then stretch my legs safely on the wide, gradual forest path (4-3-2-1).

I can confirm the presence of sharp limestone pavement and the usefulness of walking sticks. I would add that the passage between the Grande Brèche and the Buffe (7-6) has a few short sections with nothing between the path and the cliff, which can be dangerous with children and scary for those who are slightly afraid of heights. On the rest of the path, it seems to me that there is either a row of trees or sufficient distance between the path and the cliff. Obviously, do not choose this route along the cliff edges if you have a fear of heights.

As for the route, I suspect that it is a theoretical route on the IGN map, as the path is a few metres off in some places, particularly when taking the ridges just below 2 to head towards Pas de Mortier 5, where the old path has disappeared, as well as between La Buffe and La Grande Brèche. My GPS track corresponds better to the OpenStreetMap than to this IGN track. There is no risk of getting lost, the markings are good and seem to correspond to the description, but it is normal to have a 20m or even 50m difference on the passages mentioned.

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FBe69
FBe69

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 09, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

I did a shortened version of this hike, skipping between points 1 and 5... and doing it backwards.
On the initial climb (which is the descent on the suggested route), we found the wasp hole. It's nice, but nothing revolutionary. The walk along the ridges is very pleasant, with successive clearings allowing you to admire the changing landscape as you change direction.
In our case, it was a short 1-hour hike of less than 3 km.

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