Morel route starting from La Lèchère

A route starting from the Thermes de la Léchère-les-Bains on a pretty path along the Isère river and up the banks of the Torrent du Morel with its waterfalls, once the scourge of the Aigueblanches valleys, now tamed by humans who have turned it into a peaceful mountain stream. After crossing the village of Saint-Oyen and returning with a view of the valley, you will reach the Thermes de la Léchère spa.

Details

4089907
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Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.66 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 55 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 259 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 255 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 629 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 436 m

Photos

Description of the walk

From the N90, take exit 37 towards La Léchère - spa resort. Stop at the car park where the electric car charging stations are located.

(S/E) Set off along the path through the park on the left bank of the Isère. Pass by the footbridge over the Isère; the paved path through the park quickly gives way to a wide, well-maintained path that continues along Rue des Thermes. Go under the D97 bridge, continue and go up on the right along the Torrent du Morel on the left bank. Ignore the footbridge that crosses the stream and reach the D97 (Avenue de Savoie).

(1) Cross the road at the pedestrian crossing and continue opposite along the Torrent du Morel, still on the left bank. Reach the junction with Rue du Pré Servier, cross it and continue opposite on the path to reach a crossroads and a footbridge.

(2) Go straight ahead, ignoring the footbridge on your left and the path on your right. Climb the stairs and after 300 m, you will reach the Morel waterfall.

(3) Retrace your steps for 70 metres, ignoring thefirst path on the left and taking thesecond, which is not shown on the map. Continue for about 300 metres until you reach a crossroads. Then continue along the uphill path to reach Champ du Puits (altitude 625 metres - sign).

(4) Continue for about 200 m, join the paved road (Chemin du Col de la Madeleine) and go straight downhill. Pass the Chapelle Saint-Roch on your left, join the Route de Doucy and arrive at the crossroads at the Town Hall.

(5) Turn left, then immediately right onto Chemin de l'Église, pass the church, walk alongside the cemetery and arrive at a Y-junction.

(6) Take the road uphill on the left and you will reach a crossroads. Follow Chemin du Plan on the right for 400 m and continue along the track. Enjoy the beautiful view of the Aigueblanche valley, follow the track, ignoring the path on the left that leads to Doucy, and a few metres further on you will reach a crossroads.

(7) Follow the signs for La Léchère (wooden sign) on the path that descends with a few benches along the way. Reach the junction with the tourist path.

(8) Turn left onto this magnificent walking path, follow several hairpin bends and you will arrive directly at the starting car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 437 m - Car park near the - Isère (rivière)
  2. 1 : km 1.65 - alt. 466 m - Cross the D97 road. Follow the - Morel (rivière)
  3. 2 : km 3.37 - alt. 563 m - Crossroads and footbridge, opposite
  4. 3 : km 3.62 - alt. 594 m - Morel Waterfall
  5. 4 : km 4.21 - alt. 629 m - Champ du Puits
  6. 5 : km 4.6 - alt. 590 m - Town hall crossroads.
  7. 6 : km 4.81 - alt. 603 m - Y-junction
  8. 7 : km 6.44 - alt. 577 m - Intersection for La Lèchère
  9. 8 : km 6.9 - alt. 512 m - Walking trail junction
  10. S/E : km 7.66 - alt. 437 m - Car park

Notes

Water source in Saint-Oyen.

Worth a visit

(3) Morel Waterfall.

Chapel of Saint-Roch.

Church of Saint-Oyen.

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 14 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.3 / 5
Nicole V3.
Nicole V3.

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 29, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Beautiful, varied hike with stunning views
To walk along the Morel, choose the path on the left bank, which is more passable than the right bank, where there are many roots and a risk of falling

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Zoli
Zoli
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 15, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Hike completed after a period of heavy rain. The route was quite muddy but it was a pleasant walk. I didn't meet anyone on the trails, but it must be said that the weather wasn't very nice... The Morel had a strong flow and as a result the waterfall was superb!

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Michalon
Michalon

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 24, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

This pleasant and easy walk, with its numerous information panels, allows you to discover the history of the taming, at the end of the 19th century, of one of the most turbulent torrents in the French Alps.

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STEPHANE.WIBAUX
STEPHANE.WIBAUX

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 12, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Walk in pleasant surroundings along the river and on the hills.

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bernauer
bernauer

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 in a bucolic setting.

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JLB78
JLB78

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 21, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

Good for taking a break between two challenges

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Calamipic
Calamipic

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 14, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely walk, we had to go up the Doron on the left bank due to roadworks. The right bank was closed. In the end, it was almost better because the path is in the shade in the afternoon. The rest of the trail is easy to follow, with some beautiful views, a nice hike

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roger73
roger73

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

Lovely route, magnificent view of the waterfall and walk in the forest

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bert38
bert38
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 08, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A pleasant and not too difficult hike.
Depending on the departure time, and even in general, start from behind the Radiana hotel on the fitness trail for a more pleasant walk in the woods. The start along the Isère river is in full sun until the confluence with the Morel river.
This hike is not suitable for pushchairs or wheelchairs.

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jpr0205
jpr0205

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 23, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely short walk for a Sunday afternoon when the weather is uncertain. Takes 2 hours.

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maumorando21
maumorando21

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 14, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Short hike, often in the forest. The shade was welcome because of the heat.

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Thalex
Thalex
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 20, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A varied hike, quite interesting on sunny days as most of the route is through woodland. Suitable for families, this walk is very accessible and fairly short: a great way to stretch your legs!

The first part of the walk to the waterfall is very pleasant as it follows the Isère river and its many steps. The gradient is gentle, making it accessible even to young children. The waterfall itself is worth the detour with its irregular flow that causes bursts of anger every 2-3 minutes: it rumbles and spits!

For the second part, you wind your way through the undergrowth on a narrow path along the hillside. It climbs a little but nothing insurmountable. A short passage through St-Oyen then you continue on the heights admiring the landscape. Then, zigzag down to the arrival car park.

A little tip: for those who would like to continue on to the Morel leisure centre, you can park directly in the swimming pool car park and start the circular from there (the route passes behind the leisure centre, near the Isère river).

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SylUg
SylUg

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : May 09, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

An interesting and varied circular, fairly easy overall.
It's a shame that most of the route is through forest (we would have preferred more views of the valley).
One small downside: the noise from the traffic on the dual carriageway below.

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michelbi38
michelbi38

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 28, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very pretty hike, very well signposted. After the waterfall, there is a steady climb through the forest, ending with a balcony view offering a beautiful panorama.

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