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

1541478
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 14.98 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 6h 15 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 703 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 694 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,701 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,095 m

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 : km 0 - alt. 1,095 m - Hameau du Truc car park
  2. 1 : km 0.4 - alt. 1,117 m - Chemin de la Fournelle
  3. 2 : km 1.08 - alt. 1,184 m - Intersection and path
  4. 3 : km 2.77 - alt. 1,448 m - Crossing the track
  5. 4 : km 4.96 - alt. 1,644 m - Arrival at the ridge
  6. 5 : km 5.17 - alt. 1,623 m - Pas de Bellecombe
  7. 6 : km 6.37 - alt. 1,556 m - Gîte de la Molière (1565m)
  8. 7 : km 8.64 - alt. 1,633 m - La Molière
  9. 8 : km 9.92 - alt. 1,699 m - Charande 1709m
  10. 9 : km 10.89 - alt. 1,642 m - Pas de l'Ours
  11. 10 : km 11.98 - alt. 1,509 m - Crossing the forest road
  12. 11 : km 14.23 - alt. 1,162 m - Intersection, turn right towards the road
  13. 12 : km 14.41 - alt. 1,132 m - Route du Guinchet
  14. S/E : km 14.98 - alt. 1,095 m - 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 15 reviews

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

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 08, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike with stunning scenery
Stop at the refuge for a drink.
Well shaded, so pleasant in hot weather.

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Papy26
Papy26

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 17, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful, varied hike, alternating between forest and mountain pastures, with magnificent views. A pleasant stop at the Moliere lodge, with beautiful overhanging cliffs. A real treat, despite the slightly high temperature.

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denisrichard26
denisrichard26

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 06, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely, pleasant walk in the shade. A few people on the ridges, but not bothersome

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loicm
loicm

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 15, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very easy hike to relax your legs

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DidierA
DidierA

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 21, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful hike with a very pleasant climb, all alone in the Bellecombe valley, with superb views from the ridges.
You do need to arrive early to park at Le Truc and come during the week to avoid the crowds on the ridges between the Molière car park and the Pas de l'Ours.

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