Chamechaude from the Col de Porte

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The highest point of the Chartreuse massif. As a bonus, there is a cable to access the summit platform.
Magnificent panorama of the Chartreuse, with views of Mont Blanc, Mont Aiguille and the Vercors.

Details

n°77844
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 4.78 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 20 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 2,474 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 2,474 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 6,811 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 4,334 ft
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Photos

the mont-blanc
chamechaude in autumn
like a bird
view of the montblanc

Description of the walk

Departure from Col de Porte.

(S/E) Take the paved road eastwards. It becomes a stony path that runs alongside a ski lift

(1) You will arrive at a platform where a path marked Chamechaude and marked in yellow branches off to the left into the forest.

(2) After a while, the path turns right, heads south and arrives at the Cabane du Bachasson, where there is a spring.

(3) You reach the top of the forest and the path winds its way up through scree. Please stay on the path to preserve the flora that is bravely trying to survive among the rocks.
You will arrive at the ridge, which you follow to the final ledge.

(4) To reach the summit, there is a cable, two metal rungs and well-marked footholds. The cable has a brand new plastic sheath to prevent splinters in your hands.
At the summit, there is a 360° view, but be careful towards the east as the cliff is very steep.
Yellow-billed choughs with red legs come to see if there is anything to eat.
We descend by the same route, taking care not to slip on the rocks, to return to the Col de Porte (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 4,337 ft - Col de Porte
  2. 1 : mi 0.34 - alt. 4,465 ft - Passage under the ski lift
  3. 2 : mi 0.68 - alt. 4,777 ft - Fork in the road to the right
  4. 3 : mi 1.15 - alt. 5,358 ft - Hollowed-out tree trunk serving as drinking trough
  5. 4 : mi 2.38 - alt. 6,798 ft - Chamechaude
  6. S/E : mi 4.78 - alt. 4,337 ft - Col de Porte

Notes

The climb is very rocky, so mountain boots are recommended.
At the top, children must be kept under close supervision.

Worth a visit

At the end of the climb, you can admire the virtuosity of the yellow-billed choughs, not to be confused with jackdaws, as Samivel did in his book Sous l'œil des choucas. It should also be noted that for corvids, their song is rather pleasant, to the point that Olivier Messiaen considered it worthy of inclusion in his catalogue of birds.

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 77 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
megane38
megane38

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 17, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A wonderful walk!
I didn’t come across any mountain dogs; the sheep aren’t kept in a fenced enclosure and the path passes by the shepherdess’s hut – she’s happy to have a natter with you.
For the descent, I’d recommend the path that takes you round the scree slopes.
The cable-assisted section to reach the summit looks impressive at first glance, but it isn’t sheer and there are some really well-carved steps in the rock. Just put your walking poles away and take your time.
At the summit, take a moment to look at the visitors’ book at the foot of the cross and add your own entry (there are pens in the box). And above all, enjoy this incredible view 🤩
I’d just like to remind you, if necessary, that dogs are not allowed, even on a lead!

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User 9012331

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 03, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike completed on Sunday 2 August, setting off at 3.30 am with headlamps; the route was well signposted and marked with reflective paint, making it easier to find your way – except at the end, where the markings stopped, so it was a bit of a struggle on the scree.
There was a flock of sheep near the cliffs, but they were fully protected by netting.
So no problem there. The cable crossing was quite impressive (a first for me – I’m a beginner); the steps were quite high, even for someone of my height (1.95 m) – I had to really lift my legs…
But what a view once you’re at the top!!!
Magical!!! 😍
1 hour 50 minutes for the climb

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torix
torix

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 29, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A hike on a sunny Wednesday morning; it was lovely and warm all the way to the summit and there was no wind. Avoid the scree slope by taking the bend to the right – do the same on the way down; plus, it’s a more scenic route. I came across a flock with two Patou dogs, but you could tell they’re used to seeing people because I had to walk right through the flock that was on the path and they didn’t make a sound. I also spotted what I think were a few birds of prey at the summit, though I’m no expert. There were other walkers, but it was fine – we weren’t walking in single file either. A good hike overall; a pair of walking poles wouldn’t have gone amiss.

Enjoy your hike!

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granmejanlou
granmejanlou

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 13, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

If you set off from the Col de Porte at 6.20 pm in June or July, you’ll be treated to the sunset as a bonus. The descent is by headtorch, but it’s safe. You might spot some chamois frolicking

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User 28087053

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

Superb hike on a beautiful November day despite the gusty winds at the summit.
Magnificent panorama.

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PROLLOT
PROLLOT

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 06, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very interesting route with breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains. Be careful on the tricky scree slope, both on the way up and down. The logs placed there to help hikers have been destabilised by the weather conditions. To descend, we took a longer route to the east, passing above the Arnaud breach.

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Danstlo69
Danstlo69

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 26, 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

Beautiful hike with adequate signage

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Ogre
Ogre

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 15, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

This hike is fairly easy up to the final rock, despite a significant elevation gain. The yellow markings are very clear. The forest section is pleasant. As usual, caution is required on the scree slopes. At the top, crossing the rock with the help of the cable requires a little technique and caution. A beautiful reward awaits us at the summit with a 360° view of the Chartreuse, the Vercors and the Alps with Mont Blanc in the background, when the weather is clear. The yellow-billed choughs are there to greet you. Give your opinion in the notebook in the box at the foot of the cross. You can descend by taking a variant on the left to avoid the scree. To be done again.

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User 8323333

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 20, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

This is a very popular hike, so it is advisable to set off early. There is a high risk of rockfall in the scree, due to the number of hikers, exacerbated by runners.
Your efforts will be greatly rewarded at the summit with a 360° panorama.
Otherwise, the hike is very well marked.
Worth doing again...

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rabinovitch
rabinovitch

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

An interesting route with panoramic views and views of Mont Blanc.

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Cenni Marie Thérèse
Cenni Marie Thérèse

A very beautiful hike, and if you're worried about the end of the trail (cable to climb to the summit), don't worry, because even if you don't do that part, you'll still have a beautiful view. The trail is well marked.

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User 19479966

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 03, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful hike, done with two children. We stopped just before the section with cables, a few metres from the summit, which didn't seem kid-friendly.
3½ hours including picnic.
We descended through a field, turning left towards the south at the start of the descent to take an alternative route to the scree slope we had taken on the way up, as we saw a rock the size of a football cross the path a few metres ahead of us. It was quite alarming. The risk of falling rocks is indicated at the foot of the climb. We understood why.
We'll do it again, going there and back via the southern field.

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Cenni Marie Thérèse
Cenni Marie Thérèse

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 14, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Once you reach the top, you don't have to climb up to where the cable is to get a nice view.

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rgrand
rgrand

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 16, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Hike already completed several times

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Cyloupb
Cyloupb

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 12, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Route taken on 17.11.24
Icy and tricky route. So be careful.
Nice view from the summit. Passage well equipped for climbing. No danger. Just a little difficult for little legs 🤭
People who are afraid of heights should take a look. You can hold on and if you don't look down it's fine.

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