Route of the ridges and the Molière mountain pasture

This hike offers numerous panoramic views of the Chartreuse, Belledonne and part of the Vercors, both along the ridge trail and the pleasant path that crosses the mountain pasture.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.31 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 6h 15 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 2,306 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 2,277 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 5,581 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 3,593 ft

Photos

Description of the walk

(S/E) From the car park in the hamlet of Le Truc, start climbing south-west then south-east along the road that serves the houses in the hamlet of Le Bouchet. After 400m, you will reach an intersection.

(1) Take the path on the left, which soon runs alongside the Bellecombe stream and a series of reservoirs; 500m further on, you will reach another intersection.

(2) Take the path on the right that winds its way up through the forest and leads to a track.

(3) Cross the track and take the path opposite (part of this path between points 1478 and 1510 m is not marked on the map). Follow it for a long traverse, then a series of hairpin bends, to reach the ridge.

(4) Descend to the right to quickly reach the Pas de Bellecombe.

(5) From Pas de Bellecombe, descend via the path on the left and arrive at a beautiful mountain pasture at the foot of the cliffs. Walk along the foot of the cliffs at a distance and cross the entire mountain pasture via a path.

(6) Continue along a track from the Lodge de la Molière and then climb back up towards La Molière (orientation table).

(7) From La Molière, head south up a path that runs along the entire ridge; there are numerous viewpoints.

(8) Pass through Charande, the highest point of the route, then descend towards Pas de l'Ours.

(9) Leave the ridge trail, begin the descent by turning right into the forest and come out onto a forest road.

(10) Cross the road and continue downhill into the forest; as you approach the edge of the forest, you will come to an intersection.

(11) Turn right towards the small road visible below.

(12) Take the road on the left and return to the car park (S/E)

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 3,593 ft - Hameau du Truc car park
  2. 1 : mi 0.25 - alt. 3,665 ft - Chemin de la Fournelle
  3. 2 : mi 0.67 - alt. 3,885 ft - Intersection and path
  4. 3 : mi 1.72 - alt. 4,751 ft - Crossing the track
  5. 4 : mi 3.08 - alt. 5,394 ft - Arrival at the ridge
  6. 5 : mi 3.21 - alt. 5,325 ft - Pas de Bellecombe
  7. 6 : mi 3.96 - alt. 5,105 ft - Gîte de la Molière (1565m)
  8. 7 : mi 5.37 - alt. 5,358 ft - La Molière
  9. 8 : mi 6.17 - alt. 5,574 ft - Charande 1709m
  10. 9 : mi 6.76 - alt. 5,387 ft - Pas de l'Ours
  11. 10 : mi 7.44 - alt. 4,951 ft - Crossing the forest road
  12. 11 : mi 8.84 - alt. 3,812 ft - Intersection, turn right towards the road
  13. 12 : mi 8.96 - alt. 3,714 ft - Route du Guinchet
  14. S/E : mi 9.31 - alt. 3,593 ft - Hameau du Truc car park

Notes

La Molière lodge.
The Molière orientation table is also accessible by road.
A path connects Pas de l'Ours and the Molière lodge, offering a shorter alternative route.

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

Worth a visit

Marmots in the mountain pasture.

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 20 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.9 / 5
Joel7842
Joel7842

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 05, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

This route starts from the centre of the village of Autrans (add 3 km return). A very pleasant route in summer. The first part of the route takes you through the woodland, sheltered from the sun’s rays. Once you reach the Pas de Bellecombe, there is a majestic view of the Alps and the mountain pastures below. From this point onwards, the route becomes quite busy.

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kichou
kichou

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 22, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant route with splendid views of the Alps and the whole of the Vercors! A fairly steep climb to start with, followed by alpine pastures in a magnificent setting.

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User 8787319

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 15, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely hike. The elevation gain is fairly even, though there aren’t many descents and it’s a bit steep
Stunning views of the mountains. Lots of lovely sections through the forest.
The Lodge de la Molière is open.
I recommend it…

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BackPacker
BackPacker

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 15, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk through meadows and woodland, which was very pleasant in the warmth of early summer.
No technical difficulties apart from a few short climbs.
On the way back, a very long and pleasant descent through the woodland.

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132
132

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 08, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

An exceptional and varied route with stunning views!!!

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rdub
rdub

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

A beautiful, easy hike that alternates between woodland and meadows with magnificent views of the nearby mountains (Chartreuse, Belledonne) and those further afield (Mont Blanc, Oisans).
You may even spot a few marmots stocking up on food for the winter in the scree slopes of the mountain pastures!
The Charande ridge is fairly busy due to its accessibility by road, but the path is also a place to meet people...

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dvivier
dvivier

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 04, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike with views of La Meije and the Beldonne massif; no particular difficulties and many shaded sections, so ideal when it's hot, as it was.

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Toschak
Toschak

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 04, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful hike alternating between woods, mountain pastures and a magnificent ridge trail
However, be careful after leaving the hamlet of Le Truc: cross the hamlet, then turn left and after 500 metres you will come to a choice of "Pas de Bellcombe" on the left (1 hour 10 minutes, 2.1 km, very difficult climb with a gradient of between 50 and 60%) or on the right (1 hour 35 minutes, 4.1 km, gentle slope, longer option) but we returned via the other side, which took 1 hour 10 minutes for the descent

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User 4011494

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 20, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike with magnificent views from the top of the Crêtes. The climb is fairly easy, mostly through forest on a dirt trail with no rocks. The crossing of the mountain pasture between Pas de Bellecombe and La Moliere is very pleasant, with cattle grazing nearby. The lodge at La Moliere, open in July and August and on weekends in September and October, is a great place to stop for a drink or a meal in a beautiful setting.

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marie3084
marie3084

Wednesday it was closed, so they had to reopen it
very recently.

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Luna Gaia
Luna Gaia

The Molière guesthouse was open yesterday and there were more than fifty people there to eat or enjoy a slice of cake or a cup of coffee.

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marie3084
marie3084

Hello again
The Molière lodge is currently undergoing renovations.
I am surprised that you were able to eat pies, etc., because the young women did not offer anything due to the work being done in the kitchen, etc.
It was closed to the public

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Luna Gaia
Luna Gaia

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 09, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

This hike is particularly beautiful and interesting because of the views you can enjoy at various points along the way. The ascent and descent are gradual. It is not difficult to complete. The 700-metre elevation gain is barely noticeable. And to top it all off, you can eat at the Molière refuge, where you can enjoy a meal or an excellent blueberry tart.

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marie3084
marie3084

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 09, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

One of the most beautiful hikes I have ever done.
It's magnificent.
What's more, the flowers in bloom made the hike even more beautiful.
The climb is very easy as it is gentle.
Not to be missed...

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Fleurs38
Fleurs38

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 30, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A magnificent view from the top of the ridges with beautiful sunshine.
I really enjoyed this hike with its different trails and beautiful scenery.

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